Sapporo Adventures: Fresh Seafood at Nijo Market, Relaxing Noboribetsu Onsen & Michelin-Star Dining at Himeshara
Welcome back to Enjoy Your Life. Today, I’ll be sharing about my visit to Sapporo, Japan.
Sapporo, Japan & Nijo Market
I went to Sapporo in the winter. In my opinion, Sapporo is best enjoyed during this season. Whenever I think of Sapporo, I always imagine snow. In Korea, we struggle with fine dust, but every time I visit Japan, I’m amazed that there’s none.
While exploring Sapporo, I took a ride to see the whole city from above. The weather was so clear that I had a perfect view. I can’t remember the name of the place, but when I went up, there were many arcade machines. Maybe it was the off-season, but there were hardly any people—I was the only one riding.
Sapporo is also famous for its fresh crab, especially at the fish markets. I visited Nijo Market, where I enjoyed a variety of fresh seafood, though it was a bit expensive.
Personally, I love otoro (fatty tuna), so I ordered some. It melted in my mouth. The roasted dishes were also glossy and absolutely delicious.
Enjoy Your Life Recommended Sapporo- Noboribetsu Onsen Travel Route!!
Sapporo -> Noboribetsu Onsen About 2 hrs by car
Enjoy Your Life Recommended Travel Period:
Sapporo Two nights and three days
Noboribetsu Onsen One night and two days
Enjoy Your Life Pick Restaurant: Himeshara
Noboribetsu Onsen
Sapporo also reminds me of Sapporo Beer, one of Japan’s most famous beers. For those who enjoy hot springs, many people immediately think of Noboribetsu Onsen. Noboribetsu Onsen is unforgettable for its unique “stone egg” smell. It was a wonderful healing spot thanks to the egg-like scent, the exotic scenery, and the quiet atmosphere of the small town. If you like hot springs, this is definitely the place to visit. The entire city feels like a hot spring, with steam rising from the ground everywhere.
Since this is the entrance, many tourists stop to pose and take photos. The landscape is truly exotic, with a distinctive smell and beautiful scenery. The area was larger than I expected, and it took me an entire day to explore. I snapped this photo while walking uphill—it was amazing to see steam rising all around me.
The color of the water was also very unique. Check out the video below.
There were so many crows. You can see just how many in the video below.
As the days pass, the atmosphere becomes calmer and more peaceful. Watch the video below to feel the vibe.
It’s amazing how unique the color of the water is. As it gets dark, the scenery takes on a different charm. I really love the view here.
Himeshara (Sapporo, Japan)
Current address: 20 Chome-1-2 Minami 8 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0808, Japan
Phone #: 81-90-6992-3247
Hours: Mon~Fri (5PM-7PM; 7:30PM-9:30PM)
Himeshara is a Michelin two-star restaurant in Sapporo specializing in Japanese cuisine. I heard they recently moved to a new location, so please make sure to check the updated address. I made the reservation through my hotel and took the elevator up to the restaurant.
At the entrance, we were ready to go in. The meal starts at a set time, once all guests have arrived. Since we got there a little early, we waited in a small room. When it was time, we were called in and shown to our seats. The restaurant was quite small but completely full.
It was a course meal, and everyone was served the same dishes, except for drinks, which had to be ordered separately. The courses came one after another. I really ate a lot, and it had been such a long time since I felt that happy while eating.
The Japanese diners sitting with us realized we were from Korea and chatted with us quite a bit. The service, the food, and the atmosphere were so perfect that I would happily revisit this restaurant again and again.
Summary: Personally, I would give Sapporo 3 out of 5 points. The prices were similar to those in Korea, and I enjoyed delicious sushi. However, since the city itself is not very large, there aren’t many tourist attractions, which makes it less ideal for a long stay. Still, I was really satisfied overall. Those who enjoy hot springs will be especially pleased—I can’t forget the exotic scenery and unique smell of Noboribetsu Onsen. I’d love to visit in all four seasons to see how the landscape changes. For the hot springs experience, I would give 5 out of 5 points.
As for dining, Himeshara, a Michelin two-star restaurant, exceeded my expectations. I was completely satisfied with the food, atmosphere, and service. I believe anyone who visits will enjoy it. I strongly recommend visiting Himeshara if you go to Sapporo. Personally, I would give it more than 5 out of 5 points.
Have a great day.
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