Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

Previously:
Noboribetsu

It was around 1pm and we were looking for some nice lunch.  We spotted this ramen shop on the way to Jigokudani.  In that cold weather, it is always nice to have a bowl of warm noodle soup.  There were some customers inside already when we entered the shop, but wasn't full house.  We grabbed our seat on the bar.  And as usual ordered our dishes,  I felt a little weird since the beginning.  Japanese service is mostly friendly, but not with this shop.  The chef probably tired or something, he put on an irritating face all the time and there was also one old lady who help serving the noodle.

He quite quick though in making noodle, once we got our noodle, we didn't really care of his behavior and face anymore.  Because I was so hungry, I immediately slurped my hot noodle.  I was delicious.  After he served all the customers with their orders, he went out and changed the sign on the door to 'closed'.  It was only around 1.30pm.  Pretty early to close the shop, when lunch peak still around the corner.  Not for long, a few more customers came in and came in, and he rudely said that "closed, closed" with that irritating face on.

So a shamed, this shop actually makes a really good ramen.  So anyone who doesn't care of customer service can definitely try this shop.  Like me for example.

Two more Giant demons that we spotted just on the foot of Jigokudani

Noboribetsu Jigokudani is crater with boiling hot spring from volcanic steams and there is also a walking path to foot bath. We didn't go until foot bath because it takes about 2 km long and imagine walking back for another 2 km with a toddler, is a big NO NO.  But apparently what I see from the picture, it looks amazing, natural foot hot spring waterfall.

After we had walking along the walking track around the carter, the longing for an ice cream hit us.  Inside Information Center there is this Seventeen ice cream vending machine.  The three of us got one each, and we just sat there for awhile quitely enjoying our own ice cream.

Spotted this cute demon opposite the blow hole.  But I'm not so sure what's this for!

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Noboribetsu:
Dinner Buffet at Manseikaku Hotel, Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu

Previously:
Naruto Chicken, Otaru

From Otaru, we made our way to Noboribetsu.  We left pretty early in the morning (that's why we missed our plan for breakfast at Sankaku fish market for fresh seafood).  It took around 2 hours by train from Otaru.  We were looking forward for this onsen and bear town trip.

There is huge bear statue in front of Noboribetsu station

We need to catch a bus just outside the station to Noboribetsu Onsen town where we stayed for a night.  And it is where the tourist attractions are around.  From Hell Valley to Bear Park.  It only took about 15 minutes bus ride for 340¥.

Our hotel is located just opposite the bus stop, so it is very convenient.  The hotel it doesn't look that big but inside they have nearly everything.  Huge dining area, entertainment room, kids play area, onsen, and many more.

Kids playground

steam train toy

Bus terminal just opposite the hotel

There is town map in front of bus stop

Giant's stick - all around town

One more interesting thing in this town is about their Giant demons, there are 11 of them in 9 different places scattered around the town.  Start with red demon sits outside JR Noboribetsu Station.  It is like a great achievement every time we can spot one.  Not only the big scary demon, there are also cute demons that represent study, romance, health and so on.  How many can you find? a little tips: lots of them are in onsen town.

Demon for good health

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Noboribetsu:
Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

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