Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Ginnokane 银の钟

Visited 14.07.2012

Background: Ginnokane is a famous sweets & confectionery shop which originated from Otaru. The main shop (一号馆), which was formally a bank, is located conveniently at Marchen intersection (童话交叉点).

Souvenir shop is located on the ground floor. Some of their more popular products include Camembert cheese cake and lavender flavoured langue de chat. As samples are provided, you can try them before deciding what to purchase.

Decided to drop by its cafe, that occupies the second and third floor, for a quick coffee/tea break. What attracts most people to this cafe (I think) is their pretty & exclusive cups & saucers that can be purchased together with the drink. All of them are printed with their logos and there are various designs to choose from (prices vary with the design too). Each drink set comes with a small piece of cake as well. Many Hello Kitty fans made it a point to pop into this cafe when they come to Otaru, to purchase cups imprinted with their favourite character!

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Ginnokane 银の钟
www.ginnokane.jp
Main shop located at Marchen intersection (童话交叉点).
< 5 mins walk from Minami Otaru JR Station.

大きな地図で見る

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Otaru Music Box Museum 小樽音乐盒堂 & Yume no oto 梦之音

Visited 14.07.2012

In Otaru, you will find yourself surrounded by many European style buildings, admiring intricate artworks and handicrafts such as glasswares and musical boxes, dropping by unique coffee houses/cafe - a strong artistic ambience and nostalgia can be felt in this small town.

Two musical box shops are located at Marchen intersection (童话交叉点):

(1) Otaru Music Box Museum - has an extensive collection of musical boxes, in different shapes and sizes. From the conventional ones in wooden boxes, to those decorated with adorable looking figurines or even Japanese style ones (with Neko or nigiri sushi), one will definitely be spoilt for choice in this place! There is also a wide range of melodies you can choose from - classics, anime theme songs and even the latest pop songs. Do note that not all of musical boxes are made in Japan, so do check the labels/stickers on them to confirm the manufacturing country.

Unknowingly spent a substantial amount of time choosing a musical box with my desired combination. Opted for a DIY of musical box - chose a simple wooden box to house the mechanism that plays my preferred melody.



A popular photo-taking spot is located just outside the shop - a steam powered clock that sounds a chime every 15 minutes and whistles hourly to tell the time.

(2) Yume no oto - also owned by Orgel Doh, this shop which is of a much smaller scale is a heaven for cartoons and anime lovers. All the musical boxes sold in this shop are decorated with cartoon and anime characters - from Disney characters to Ghibli Studio's Totoro and lately very popular Rilakkuma, you just can't stop exclaiming "kawaii" in this shop!

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Otaru Music Box Museum 小樽音乐盒堂
http://www.otaru-orgel.co.jp/english/e_main.html
< 5 mins walk from Minami-otaru JR Station

大きな地図で見る

Yume no oto (Character House) 梦之音
http://www.otaru-orgel.co.jp/english/e_yumeoto.html

大きな地図で見る

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Minami-otaru JR Station 南小樽駅

Minami-otaru JR Station (S14), along Hakodate main line.
Minami-otaru is one train station before Otaru if you are travelling from Sapporo. 

You can choose to alight either at Minami-otaru or Otaru JR Station to start your tour of Otaru:
(1) Minami-otaru JR Station is closer to Marchen intersection. The only Uniqlo store in Otaru is located at the foot of this train station too (location shown in the map below).

View Larger Map

(2) Otaru JR Station is closer to Otaru Canal, old Temiya railway track and Sankaku.

My route:
Alighted at Minami-otaru JR Station > Marchen intersection > Sakaimachi Street > Otaru Canal > Ended tour at Otaru JR Station.

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Commemorative stamp:

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Day 5 Itinerary: Sapporo 札幌, Otaru 小樽

Day 5 - 14.07.2012

Visited Former Hokkaido Govt Building.

Breakfast: Mister Donut, outlet in Sapporo JR Station.

Utilised 1 day unlimited JR rides ticket of Welcome Pass.

Sapporo JR Station > Minami-otaru JR Station
by train via Hakodate main line.

Shopped at Uniqlo, outlet approx 5 mins walk from Minami-otaru JR Station.

Toured Marchen intersection (童话交叉点):
(1) Yume no oto, Otaru Music Box Museum and Otaru Steam Clock
(2) Ginnokane, sweets and confectionery shop and cafe.
(3) LeTAO, sweets and confectionery shop and cafe.

Walked along Sakaimachi Street.

Toured Otaru Canal.

Passed by old Temiya railway track and ended tour at Otaru JR Station.

Otaru JR Station (1434 hrs) > Sapporo JR Station (1506 hrs)
by train via Hakodate main line.

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Sapporo > Higashi Kuyakusayome
by subway via Tohu line (blue).

Higashi Kuyakusayome > Sapporo Beer Garden
approx. 10 - 15 mins walk.

Late lunch/early dinner: Lilacs in Sapporo Beer Garden, for Genghis Khan BBQ.

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Nishi-yon-chrome > Ropeway Iriguchi
via Sapporo streetcar.
Fee = 170 yen

Ropeway Iriguchi > Mt Moiwa Ropeway Station
via free shuttle bus.

Took ropeway to Mt. Moiwa summit.
Fee = 1,500 yen (with 200 yen discount voucher)

Roperway Iriguchi > Nishi-hatchome
via Sapporo streetcar.
Fee = 170 yen

Supper: MOS Burger, outlet near Nishi-hatchome streetcar stop.

- End of Day 5 -

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Sapporo Clock Tower 时计台

Visited 13.07.2012

Clock Tower is another prominent historical building in Sapporo. Built in 1878, it started off as a military drill hall when Japan needed to defend themselves from possible advancement from Russia. Several education institutions were housed in this building over the years. It was given the status of a national important cultural property and is currently a museum showcasing exhibits on history of Clock Tower and the development of Sapporo.

Original intent was to drop by to take some photographs of this wooden structure on our way back to hotel. To our surprise, admission was free of charge on that day, so we ended up spending some time touring the exhibition hall. There is a spacious hall on the second floor and a display explaining how the mechanical clock works. This clock works on a weight driven hand cranked type mechanism and has been certified as the oldest unmodified working clock by Japan Machinery Academic Society in August 2009.

There is a good spot outside the Clock Tower for photo-taking purpose. Recommend to visit this historical, humble looking landmark (standing firmly among the high rise modern buildings) that has gone through important phases of Sapporo's development.

Tip: Tickets to Clock Tower and Sapporo TV Tower can be purchased together at a discounted price of 720 yen. Admission fee to Clock Tower and TV Tower costs 200 and 700 yen, respectively.

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Sapporo Clock Tower 时计台
< 5 mins walk from Odori subway station
Admission fee = 200 yen
http://www15.ocn.ne.jp/~tokeidai/english.html
View Larger Map

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Commemorative stamp: 

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Shiroi Koibito Park 白色恋人馆

Visited 13.07.2012

Shiroi Koibito Park, owned by Ishiya, the manufacturer for Hokkaido signature biscuits - Chocolat Blanc et Langue de chat. This white chocolate biscuits has become a "must buy" souvenirs for visitors to Hokkaido. However, the biscuits has lost its exclusivity because they can also be purchased in both Haneda and Narita Airport, which means one do not have to travel all the way to Hokkaido to purchase them.

A European theme park, this place has grown to become a popular tourist attraction in Sapporo. Only admission to the exhibition hall (Chocolate Factory) requires a fee (600 yen). Apart from that, one can wander around in their outdoor rose garden and enjoy the hourly Chocolate Carnival --- free of charge.

Recommended products: 
(1) One of my favourites is Mifuyu (美冬), a pastry sandwiched with chocolate, and comes in three different combinations:
- Dark chocolate with blueberry
- Milk chocolate with caramel
- White chocolate with sweet chestnut
(2) Delicious white sponge roll cake with smooth white chocolate cream. Cake is also sold in Chocolate Lounge.

Trivia: Chocolat Blanc means white chocolate, while Langue de chat means cat's tongue in French.

Attractions:

(1) Chocolate Carnival, which begins a the top of every hour, is a parade of jolly singing and dancing mechanical dolls. All the figurines at different parts of the park come to life, creating a fun-filled 10 minutes musical.

(2) Chocolate Factory - visit the main exhibition hall to better understand the history and the manufacturing process of chocolate from both the past and now. Very artistic European decor, with intricate details put into all corners of the exhibition hall. Factory also provided a peek at the production line of the famous white chocolate biscuits. While you are focusing on the freshly baked biscuits, do lookout for the "moving" decorations in the factory!

(3) Chocolate Lounge - located on the fourth level, cafe provided a good view of Chocolate Carnival hourly performance, while sipping hot chocolate/white chocolate drinks and tasting their signature delicious white fluffy roll cake. A great place to drop by for a quick break.

(4) Other exhibitions:
- Old style children's toy box featuring huge classical toys collection e.g. Mickey Mouse, their very own Hello Kitty and Ultraman as well.
- Gramophone gallery showcasing how audio devices have evolved over the years.

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Shiroi Koibito Park 白色恋人馆
http://www.shiroikoibitopark.jp/english/index.html
Admission fee = 600 yen

View Larger Map

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How to get there?
- Take subway via Tozai line (orange) and alight at Miyanosawa (T01).
- Follow the signage to the park; approx 7 mins walk from subway station.

Hokkaido Summer 2012 北海道夏季之旅 - Chisun Hotel Sapporo チサン ホテル 札幌

Stayed 13.07.2012, 14.07.2012 (2 days)
Booked through Misa Travel (hotels.com.sg)

11.06.2018 Update: Chisun Hotel Sapporo is permanently closed. Current building is housed by Nest Hotel Sapporo Ekimae ネストホテル札幌駅前.

- Booked a double room, exclusive of breakfast. Approx 105 SGD per room/night.

- Business hotel, owned by Solare Hotel & Resorts, is located in between Sapporo and Odori subway stations. Approx 7 mins walk from either subway station. Hotel is located on the south side of Sapporo JR Station.

- Small room (not much walking area) equipped with basic amenities. Competitive price considering its strategic location.

- A cheaper option (if you don't mind an even smaller room) is Chisun Inn Sapporo (also owned by Solare) located just opposite to this hotel.

- Located near prominent landmarks such as Clock Tower and Sapporo TV Tower.

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Chisun Hotel Sapporo チサン ホテル 札幌
北海道札幌市中央区北二条西2-9
http://www.solarehotels.com/english/chisun/hotel-sapporo/guestroom/detail.html?nid=HKD_CHSap_e