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This will be my second trip for business after covit. The first was also to Japan but to Tokyo and this time will be Hakodate for a conference. I have been to Hokkaido like Sapporo/Otaru/Tomamu before but not to Hakodate. I must say going to Japan is still not that straightforward even though it is considered “open”. For holiday, you have to join a tour group but for business it is also a hassle. There are a bunch of documents you need including the visa and a pre-departure PCR test. The only difference this time is that you do not need to do another arrival PCR test.
The Singapore Airline flights were always fully booked so I had to take All Nippon Airlines (ANA). I do not mind ANA as their service is always great as them being Japanese politeness is part of their culture. However, I would not say the same for the lounge as they do not have their own lounge they had to outsource to SAT lounge. Well, I can only say it is passable but not great.
I booked the Four Point Sheraton in Hakodate so was expecting a more spacious room being more western sounding and a less crowded place like Hakodate. I was surprised to find that it was small as any Japanese hotel in Tokyo. The location is great. It is just beside the JR line and at the city centre where there are many restaurants and bars.
The basin was so low that it was at my crotch area and yes, lower than the airplane’s toilet. I had to really bend down to brush my teeth. Other than that, it is still a rather decent business hotel.
One of the famous dish in Hokkaido is the Soup Curry. Mine is chicken and vegetables. This being more of a dish of South Asia origin so the taste is stronger as compared to most mild testing Japanese cuisines. I went for the regular spicy and it is not even spicy to my standard.
Here’s one toilet that surely put the user at ease.
As this is my business trip, I only have like half a day of sightseeing to do so let’s see how much I can see. I did not get to go up the Hakodate Mountain as it was a cloudy day so visibility will be very limited. The famous coastal area which sits the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse. The old warehouses were all nicely converted into charming shops or restaurants. I think it would be great if they can have some Alfresco dining by the harbour.
I can imagine how crowded this place will be if not for Covit. I did not see a single overseas tourist during my walkabout but only a spattering of Japanese perhaps from other regions.
The residential area alongside of the Hakodate mountain looks very unique and not the usual Japanese style. It can easily pass off as some European or American cities.
I do not know if I will ever return to Hakodate but I do like this little town. It certainly feels remote and much quieter than the other big towns and cities. There are still several top sites that I did not visit due to time constrain but it can be a good 1-2 days stopover. As countries starts opening up, I hope to blog for often over next few months. Let’s see.
