13th May 2009 – Nice weather when I woke up around 7am. As it was still early, I went to Onsen to freshen up. Nothing beats having a hot spring bath in the cool morning hours.
Using the 2 coupons issued yesterday, we went to the restaurant for our breakfast. There was quite a selection available.
This is what I have taken for the first round. It’s a buffet so 10 or 20 rounds is fine as long you don’t burst your stomach. 😛
Morning walk around the lake. The weather and fog have cleared up.
A magnificent mountain beyond the Nakajima Islands (captured in zoom mode). Looks like Mount Fuji?
Sukara against the clear blue sky.
Duck-shaped boats for hire.
Shikotsu-Toya National Park – Signboard with information about Lake Toya and Mt. Usu.
The counter for cruise ride around Lake Toya.
Flowers along the banks of Lake Toya.
The Pleasure Boat ride that we wanted to take yesterday to see the fireworks.
Tranquil place for relaxation. Although the sun is out, but it’s still chilly whenever the wind blows.
A really amazing place to be!
More beautiful sakura!
Spotted the boat that was used to launch the firework displays.
Checked-out and went to the bus stop opposite Kohan Tei to wait for the bus to JR Toya Station. The morning wind is extremely chilling and that is why we left out luggage at the bus stop and went to hide behind a building. Ha ha!
Bus ride to JR Toya ¥320 per person. Bus walkway was quite cramped and there isn’t any place to put our luggage so we just left it on the seats where it’s not occupied.
The view in front of JR Toya station.
Entrance of JR Toya station.
Lake Toya was chosen to host the Group of Eight summit in 2008. We were glad that we have also visited Lake Toya. 🙂
Tickets from Toya to Hakodate on Hokuto 8. ¥4830 per person.
Waiting for train to arrive.
After the conductor checked our tickets, we were told to wait at a certain platform as we did not purchased reserved seats.
Inside the train, it was quite comfortable ride for me as I was enjoying music on my phone. My partner was playing PSP throughout the journey!
I guess it was more comfortable for this chap here! Wahaha! Oh yes, the seats can swivel so that it can face each other (see above) – ideal for groups of 3 or 4 while traveling.
Menu showing the prices of food that can be ordered on the train.
After 1 hour and 45 minutes journey, we reach Hakodate Station.
Hokuto trains.
Interior of Hakodate JR Station.
Entrance of Hakodate JR Station.
At Tourist Information Center (JR Hakodate station), we purchase 1 day pass for unlimited rides on bus (excluding airport bus) and streetcars (trams) at ¥1000 per adult. Alternatively, you may also just buy 1 day pass for streetcars only at ¥600 per adult. We also got a free guide book for “Romantic Hakodate”.
Walk 5 mins from JR Hakodate to our hotel. We were allowed to check-in even though it was only 1.30pm. It was stated check-in timing only at 3pm during our reservation and we were planning to leave our luggage if we reach early.
Toilet.
Lunch time – we went around searching for “Lucky Pierrot” – a fast food chain that can only be found in Hakodate. Finally found it after asking a kind person.
Checking out the menu as I heard that Lucky Pierrot serves whale burger. I wanted to try it out of curiosity but couldn’t find it.
Omelette rice, side dishes, ice cream, shakes, drink, etc are available as well.
Inside of Lucky Pierrot. It was starting to drizzle a bit outside. 🙁
Lucky Pierrot Chinese Chicken Burger ¥350.
Lucky Pierrot Egg Burger ¥380. Look at the sauce and egg flowing out……it’s absolutely delicious!
Yeah! The rain has stopped! After the fantastic lunch, we went to the bus station to take bus to to Fort Goryokaku. It is accessible by streetcars (trams) as well but will need to walk further (20mins). Since we had the unlimited rides for bus as well, we were advised by the service staff in Tourist Information Center to go for bus as it will only take 10mins walk.
On the bus and checking out the ticket and payment machine.
Goryokaku Tower. You can pay ¥840 to go up the tower to have a bird’s eye view of Fort Goryokaku.
A ship display in Goryokaku Park.
History of Goryokaku?
Scene of flowers can be seen almost everything.
Cannons used in olden times.
Tulips of various colors.
Goryokaku Park is a popular place for hanami with over 1500 cherry tress. But we are a couple of days late and the sakura have withered already.
This is where I would park myself to enjoy hanami. 🙂
A playful shot of our shadows.
Some duck-like animal? I am unable to correctly identify it. Haha!
Taking the streetcar (tram) to Yunokawa Hot Spring.
The locals use these streetcars frequently too so it’s quite packed at times. Be prepared to stand.
Yunokawa Hot Spring.
A free foot bath near the Hakodate Tramway’s Yunokawa Onsen Station (opened all day and night).
You can soak your tired legs here.
Another kind of trams. We will be taking it back to Hakodate Eki Mae station to go back to hotel and equip ourselves with more warm clothing. In the afternoon, despite have sun shining, it was quite cold. We reckon that it will be much colder in the night, especially when we up high at Mount Hakodate (our next destination).
This tram is quite empty this time round and we managed to get seats.
On our way back to hotel, a cute sign on the walkway – Crab at Hakodate Morning Market. There are several kinds of the same sign with different content along the walkway.
Hakodate Morning Market. It is closed now.
Getting our dinner from a ramen stall opposite Hakodate Morning Market.
Seafood Ramen ¥1050.
Charsiu Miso Ramen ¥730.
Amazing view from the top of Mount Hakodate. We took a bus from Hakodate Station Bus Terminal and the fare per adult one way is ¥360. But as we have purchased 1 day pass for unlimited rides on bus (excluding airport bus) and streetcars (trams), we did not need to pay as it can be used here. The journey takes about 30 mins to top of Mt. Hakodate.
You can also take the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway to the top of Mt. Hakodate at ¥640 one way / ¥1160 return.
Even with extra clothing, it is still cold here as the wind is extremely chilling (around 9 degrees temperature). My partner is not out in the open for long as she went to seek warmth in the building (shopping in a souvenir and food store). Ha ha!
My opinion is that the night view from Mount Hakodate is indeed true to what multiple sources have quoted “among the top 3 best night view in the world”.
Mount Hakodate. Although the night view is nice and romantic but I wasn’t prepared for the huge crowds (tour groups, school excursions, etc) on top, jostling for space to capture the view on their cameras.
Took the bus back but alighted at Jujigai and walk to Hakodate Beer.
Time is 8pm but the inside was quite empty (other 1 more table was occupied other then ours). Most shops closed quite early here in Hakodate.
Menu for the drinks and food.
Ordered a plate of assorted sausages at ¥850 to go with the beer.
Red Brick Warehouse (Kanemori Warehouse). It is very quiet here.
Near the bay area. There are sightseeing boats here but it’s already closed for the day.
Red Brick Warehouse (Kanemori Warehouse).
Some restaurants are found here but seems like most are closed.
Although weather is cold, I had the craving to slurp on Hokkaido Milk ice-cream ¥62. Ha ha!
五月十三日- 早上七点起床好天气。时间还早，我去泡温泉。一大早没什么比泡温泉爽。
利用昨天的两张早餐券，我们到餐厅吃早餐。选择挺丰富的。
这是我第一轮拿的食物。是自助餐所以你可以拿一二十轮都没关系只要别吃饱爆肚子。：）
早晨漫步湖边。雾和天气都清除了。
宏伟的山区在中岛群岛后面（集中点捕捉）。有点像富士山吗？
蓝天白云前的樱花。
鸭形船可租用。
乘坐洞爷湖游船的柜台。
沿着洞爷湖河边的花。
昨天本来想乘坐看烟花的游船。
宁静的地方，可作为休息区。虽然太阳出来了不过风吹时还是寒冷的。
好漂亮的地方！
美丽的樱花！
这是放烟花的船。
离开了酒店到巴士站等巴士去JR洞爷站。 早晨的风非常冷所以我们把行李丢一旁跑到大厦后躲。哈哈！
到JR洞爷站的车费是320日元/每人。巴士走道挺窄的而且没地方放行李只好放在没人坐的座位。
JR洞爷站前的景色。
JR洞爷站的入口。
洞爷湖被选为八国首脑会议的地方。幸好我们来过。：）
等待火车时。
查车票后，我们被通知在某个平台等因为我们没买预定车票。
我整个车程都听音乐，挺舒服的。我太太一路玩PSP！
我想这家伙最舒服吧！哈哈！椅子还可以转来转去（看上图）- 适三或四人坐。
可在车上购买食物，上图是火车上的菜单。
经过一个小时又四十五分，我们抵达函馆站。
北斗列车。
JR函馆站的大楼。
JR函馆站的入口处。
在旅游信息中心 （JR函馆站），我们买了一日巴士车票（不包括机场）和电车票 每人1000日元。或者，你也可选择一日巴士车票每人600日元。我们拿到一边免费的指南书“浪漫函馆”。
从JR函馆站步行五分钟就到酒店。虽然现在是一点半不过酒店让我们登记。我们本打算把行李寄放在酒店因为正常登记时间是三点。
厕所。
午餐时间-到处搜寻“Lucky Pierrot” – 只有在函馆才有的快餐连锁店。 向路人质询后终于找到了。
在看菜单，听说这里卖鲸肉汉堡。为了满足好奇心向式式但是找不到。
煎蛋饭，小菜，冰淇淋，奶昔，饮料等等。
Lucky Pierrot 店里面。 外面开始下毛毛雨。：（
Lucky Pierrot鸡肉汉堡350日元。
Lucky Pierrot鸡蛋汉堡380日元。看！酱和鸡蛋流出来了。。。。。 绝对好吃！
雨终于停了！ 丰富午餐后，我们乘坐巴士到五稜郭。 电车也可以到不过需走二十分钟。既然买了无限量车票，旅游信息中心的工作人员提醒我们乘坐巴士比较靠经，只需步行十分钟。
在公共汽车上的售票机器。
五稜郭塔。只需付840日元就可上塔观看五棱郭堡的景观。
在五棱郭公园的船只展示。
五棱郭的历史？
花的景观到处可看到。
古时的大炮。
各种颜色的郁金香。
五棱郭公园是个赏花見热门地方， 有1500棵樱桃树。我们完了几天樱花都枯萎了。
我会在这里赏花見。 ：）
拍影子。
这是鸭子吗？我分不清楚。哈哈！
乘坐电车到汤之川温泉。
当地人常使用电车因此相当拥挤。有时还得站着。
汤之川温泉。
函馆缆车汤之川温泉站附近的足浴（全天开放）。
你可以把脚泡在这里。
另一重电车。我们将达这电车会酒店穿多几件衣服。下午，虽然顶着大太阳天起挺冷的。我们相信晚上会更冷，尤其在函馆山（下一个目的地）。
这电车没什么人所以有的坐。
回酒店过程，有趣的招牌 – 函馆早市场的螃蟹。一路下有几种不同的款式的招牌。
函馆早市场。已关了。
在函馆早市场对面的一家拉面馆吃辣面。
海鲜拉面1050日元。
叉烧味噌拉面730日元。
在函馆山上的迷人景色。我们从函馆巴士总站乘坐巴士每人360日元（一趟）。我们买了无限量一日车票（不包括机场）和电车， 我们不需再付钱。到函馆山顶路程大概三十分钟。
加了衣服，山顶还是非常冷（大概九度左右）。我太太没在外头太久，躲在大厦里寻找温然（在纪念品和食品商店逛）。哈哈！
我觉得从函馆山看下来的夜景真美，有资料显示函馆的夜景是“世界排名第三”。
函馆山。 虽然夜景很美又罗曼蒂克不过没料到会有那么多人(旅行团，学校旅行等等)在山顶，抢位置拍照。
乘坐巴士下山在十字街下车步行到函馆啤酒。
时间是晚上八点可是里面空的 (除了我们还有一桌客人)。 大部分函馆商店都早关门。
饮料和食物菜单。
叫了四种啤酒品尝。1260日元。
叫了一盘各类香肠850日元。
金森仓库。这里好安静。
靠近湾区。 有观光船不过已经打烊了。
金森仓库。
有几间餐馆可是好像管了。
虽然天气冷，有种冲动所以买了北海道牛奶冰淇淋62日元。哈哈！
