Naruto Chicken, Otaru

Previously:
Things To Do In Otaru

I heard so much about this fried chicken store in Otaru.  Many of customers mentioned that they need to wait on a long queue.  But in that evening, though the store still packed with heaps of customers but there wasn't any queue.  Lucky us...

Half chicken set 1,200¥, half chicken only 980¥

At first we ordered: half chicken set for myself, sushi and karaage set for my hubby, then extra karaage dish for my son.  I was so over possessive with my chicken and said to my husband that "I will finish it all by myself so if he wants to try some classic house deep fried chicken he better order for himself another piece" because I believed definitely it will not be enough.  So he went to ordered another just half cut of chicken.

When the dishes came in front of us.  I couldn't believe my eyes of how big the chicken was.  Of course at the end we couldn't finish them.  But we did take them home with us for our breakfast tomorrow.  We terribly terribly full after dinner but it was delicious though.

Look at how plump and fat the chicken is-so mouth watering

The chicken's golden-skin was flavorsome and crisp.  And you know it, when they use the good oil.  The meat was juicy and tender.  The first bite was great but after a few more bites, I kinda felt like it needed something maybe chili sauce or ended up we asked for mayonnaise.  Yes, chicken and mayo, they were good together especially if there is some sweet chili as well.  It would be even perfect.

Sushi and karaage set 2,200¥ served with Japanese potato salad and karaage side dish 700¥

Otaru beer 500¥

Then we had a nice walk around the most photographic side of the canal.  We couldn't get the nice shoot in the afternoon as so many tourists are also taking pictures.  Photo below is the canal very early in the morning.  We beat the crowd.  So which one is better guys, morning view or night view?

Naruto Honten
There are 2 locations, the main restaurant is near Jr Station.
3 Chome-16-13 Inaho, Otaru
Ph: +81 134 32 3280
Opening hours: 11am-9pm


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hokkaido:
Noboribetsu

Things To do In Otaru

Previously:
Hotel Nord Otaru

In this small city, there are actually plenty things to do.  Our one day in Otaru was definitely not enough.  We didn't even cover half of "the most popular things to do in Otaru".  Next time if I visit Hokkaido again, I will surely stay in Otaru again and making sure to cover more.

This small city is more than just a canal town.  Although it is very touristy especially in day time but if you have a chance to spend the night, you will to see the beauty of this charming city.

Otaru Denuki-Koji

We had lunch here in Denuki-Koji is like a tiny Edo-style complex that has been using for restaurant purposes.  We had this fresh seafood don from one of local restaurant there.  In this small restaurant, there was only 2 people serving, a couple, the husband cuts the fish and decorates the dishes, while the wife prepares drinks and rice.  There are nice couple and paying attention in detail into their dishes.  The shop is very tiny though, we need to squeeze in when the busy lunch time. 

I had this salmon sashimi and salmon roe don for my lunch although I so wanted to try uni but there is none of combination that I like that have uni in it.  Of course if there is salmon sashimi, salmon roe and uni, that would be the best option for me.  Hiksss.....

They gave big chunk of salmon slices and heaps of roes.  Super fresh..

Sakaimachi Street

Next thing, we walked along the Sakaimachi street where most things happen here.  Shopping, food and snacks, souvenirs as well as museums to visit.

There are 4 LeTao shops all together.  We only got to visit 2 of them.  And here the first shop sells ice cream and cake.  The queue was quite long but we need to wait for our double formage cheesecake.  The cake was nice.  It was soft and cream and the same goes with the ice cream with a hint of cheese in it.

Cheese flavoured ice cream 350¥

Double formage cheesecake 410¥

Kitakaro and Rokkatei

Cake and snack house: from baumkuchen to biscuits.  Good for souvenirs as well

We really can't get enough of LeTao

Clock tower - Music will be running for around 15 minutes on the hour

Kitaichi Glass and Music Box Museum

I love this sushi section.  I want to take them all

Next trip plan (the one we missed): Studio Ghibli, Sushiya Dori, Kita No Aisu Ya San (unique flavors ice creams), Yamanaka Dairy Farm, Otaru Railway Museum and Sankaku market (famous for their cheap fresh seafood don).


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Otaru:
Naruto Chicken, Otaru

Hotel Nord Otaru

Previously:
POP Dinner Buffet at The Kiroro

Yummy healthy breakfast

We left just after we had breakfast, basically we didn't do anything much in the resort that morning.  From Kiroro to Otaru, we caught bus back to Otaruchikko then got on the train for just one stop to Otaru Station.

The hotel is by the canal.  But from train station, it may take around 15 minutes walk.  That's why we got on the taxi instead.  It costs 520¥/ride

I always love the semi-Japanese shower where they give you this little short chair to sit on.  It reminds me when I were young where there wasn't any shower or bath tub and we need to use the big water jar and plastic water ladle.

View from our window room

See you all in the next blog as I am going to show more photos and story about our activities in Otaru, the canal city.


Hotel Nord Otaru
1 Chome-4-16 Ironai, Otaru
Ph: +81 134 24 0500


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Otaru:
Things To Do In Otaru

POP Dinner Buffet at The Kiroro

Previously:
The Kiroro Tribute Portfolio Hotel

For our dinner tonight, we booked the buffet dinner at POP restaurant in the resort.  In the freezing cold weather like this, it was nice to just wandering inside the resort.  We were looking forward to this buffet dinner as they serve this unlimited Kani (Hokkaido snow crab leg) and of course all of other goodies.  It is 5,000¥ for an adult and 2,500¥ for child rate above 4 yo

Snow crab (Kani)

Curry soup - surprisingly super delicious (the best dish for me)

Range of dessert

This short video shows the easiest way to peel or crack the crab leg and to get the most meat out of it.  We just found out too anyway.  So, good luck guys...

Hot chocolate by the fireplace.  Very cozy

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Hokkaido:
Hotel Nord Otaru

The Kiroro Tribute Porfolio Hotel

Previously:
Dinner at Stellar Place and Bisse Sweets for Desserts

We need to get on to the train heading to Otaru but get off just one station before, is called Otaruchikko.  From there, there is a bus that will take us to Kiroro hotels.  The bus ride took about 45 minutes and costs 700¥/person.  It is highly recommended to book and pay for the bus in advance.

Our take away breakfast

Bus stop to go to Kiroro Tribute Portfolio Hotel (where a group of people standing)

All you can play snow toys

This hotel is a very very kids friendly.  There is huge snow park where kids can play snow, tubing tabogan and many more.  With only 1,500¥/person, you can have a full day unlimited entry.  Besides, there is swimming pool and a few restaurants to enjoy your meal without leaving the resort.

Even adult were having fun too

Tubing

At All Day Dining

Set menu 2,400¥

Pork katsu 2,400¥

The room, resort facilities and service are great.  But I don't really recommend the food especially in this restaurant (all day dining).  My deep fried crumbed pork was way too hard and oily.  The meat was pretty thin so I only can taste dryness and chewiness meat.  I wasn't that happy with my dish. 

Spacious room

View from our room

Swimming pool

Kiroro Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Paklok-128-1 Tokiwa, Akaigawa, Hokkaido
Ph: +81 135 34 711


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Kiroro:
POP Dinner Buffet at The Kiroro