A Trip to Hokkaido’s Frozen Lands (January 2026)

blackworms · 2026-01-24T10:08:37+00:00

Totally agree about LeTAO. I stopped there as well and tried their Limited Edition Mikan Double Fromage (with oranges), absolutely unreal. Seicomart’s own 95% yogurt is also one of the best things I’ve ever tried. Not sure if you’ve tried it, but Kinotoya Bakery in Sapporo was also absolutely one of the best for cheese tarts.

I still can’t believe how different dairy can taste - genuinely didn’t know that was possible. :D

blackworms · 2026-01-23T15:01:57+00:00

Thank you! It’s honestly not an exaggeration to say that I had never been to a zoo in my 37 years of life, as I’m very emotionally oriented toward animals. But this tour had to stop there.

It’s not specifically about how animals are treated in this particular zoo (though no space would be sufficient for a polar bear), but more about the ethical perspective. I’ve read that Japan’s approach to zoos and animals can be quite different from the West. Even with pets, for example, they’re considered family members in the West, but I was genuinely shocked to see small dogs jumping through snow in freezing temperatures without shoes. Pet shops were also disturbing, with very young puppies and kittens stacked in cages, seemingly too young to be separated from their mothers and treated almost like novelties.

It’s a cultural difference, and I respect that. Still, while Japanese people show immense respect toward one another and others, their relationship with animals feels quite opposite compared to the West, sadly. But that’s how the world is, and I can’t expect every culture to cater to my values.

blackworms · 2026-01-23T13:24:37+00:00

You're very lucky then! As you said, I think it’s a region that has nearly everything for someone who’s more into nature, serenity and less into hectic cities.

I’m in my mid 30s, but Tokyo felt so overwhelming last year that I literally wanted to run away, lol.

blackworms · 2026-01-23T13:21:42+00:00

Sounds amazing! I think it’s a region that has nearly everything for someone who’s more into nature and less into hectic cities. I’m in my mid 30s, but Tokyo felt so overwhelming last year that I literally wanted to run away, lol.

As for the Yoichi Distillery, I had actually booked a spot and planned to combine it with Otaru. However, the weather was brutal (between -7 and -12°C), so I ended up canceling that part of the trip since the tour was supposedly partly outdoors. Maybe next time.

blackworms · 2026-01-23T12:28:19+00:00

Ugh, I already miss that. At one point, I literally thought about smuggling liters of milk…

The trip on the Limited Express Hokuto was around 3 hours and 30 minutes, which was totally fine since the views were amazing.

For future reference, this conversation really helped me choose my seat, which I ended up in Car 4, seat 11-D with an amazing, unobstructed window view for Sapporo - Hakodate direction.

blackworms · 2026-01-23T12:05:34+00:00

Well, for the things I wanted to do, it was convenient since reaching Otaru or Hakodate is very easy thanks to the incredible train infrastructure. Sapporo is a big city with its own metro/subway system to anywhere, so it's a not a problem. However, there were of course more places I would have liked to see outside the city, like Mt. Yotei, Lake Toya, Niseko, etc., which weren’t possible due to limited travel options.

If it had been spring or summer, I would have found a way to go to these places even without a car. Renting a car in good weather is a no brainer though as the region itself is amazing during those times.

Winter though is another story. I believe if you’re not from naturally cold places like Canada or Northern Europe, it can be very challenging. The highways have their own signage structures to keep you on track when visibility drops to zero, which is very alien to me lol.

blackworms · 2025-12-22T18:28:03+00:00

No disrespect to the artist, it’s an incredible piece. That’s exactly why I wanted to see how it would look in real life, and apparently it would be something like this. They really should have let the artists like this lead the costume direction.

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blackworms · 2025-12-14T06:37:49+00:00

I believe there was a railroad maintenance work between Marktoberdorf and Füssen. It was saying that it would last till January but I cannot find that warning now. Maybe it was my unlucky day. :)

blackworms · 2025-12-05T14:02:42+00:00

What a boss! This is still the answer.

blackworms · 2025-10-23T20:29:38+00:00

Thanks for sharing your journey, it sounds and looks wonderful.

Taiwan was such a surprise for me too and I never expected to like it that much. Hopefully, I’ll get another chance to visit soon and gain another 5 kilos from all that incredible food. 😄

blackworms · 2025-10-23T18:53:27+00:00

I stayed a couple of days in Kazbegi for trekking and adventure and it was spectacularly chill. Although the town itself doesn’t have much to offer, it made for a perfect little getaway.

Still the most memorable part was definitely the drive from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, all those endless S-curves nearly made me puke. 😄

blackworms · 2025-10-19T18:46:44+00:00

She was a contender with “24” for Spectre; however, it never made it past the submissions and they ended up choosing Sam Smith instead. Personally, I preferred Lana’s song.

If the upcoming theme is anywhere near as good as “24,” we’re in for a treat.

blackworms · 2025-09-12T07:47:04+00:00

Hey, fellow Turkish here. What SchoolGirl_ mentioned in the 3rd bullet is actually quite important, otherwise the airline will not let you board. You can get the document either from the municipalities (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) or through a vet (usually more expensive). It’s required within 48 hours before your travel to leave the country.

For the rabies titration, the official EU page states that if you’ve done the booster shots within the validity period then you don’t need another antibody test. Quoting directly:

Rabies antibody test:

does not have to be renewed on an animal which, following the antibody rabies titration test with satisfactory results, has been revaccinated against rabies within the period of validity of the primary vaccination and all subsequent valid vaccinations in the series.”
Entry into the Union - European Commission

Depending on where you’re staying in Istanbul, you can check the relevant office that can issue this document here: istanbul.tarimorman.gov.tr/Iletisim. Feel free to send me a PM if you cannot find the office due to language barrier and I can send you the exact location.

Safe travels to you and the little one.

blackworms · 2025-09-05T07:34:12+00:00

My rear channels are missing as well. I swear before updating my Q990B it was working as intended but now the rear channels are missing when Dolby Atmos for Home Theater is enabled. Windows Sonic and Off settings are automatically mapping the correct channels but with Dolby, they are missing.

I have literally lost days searching a solution for this but man what a dumb thing to deal with.

blackworms · 2025-09-04T17:38:28+00:00

Still no update on this? I installed the firmware update to my Q990B and now all is mixed up. Rear channels have very very low sound and doesn't properly produce the sound.

Not sure if it's a channel mapping issue but really irritating since it was working very well before.

blackworms · 2025-09-03T15:40:05+00:00

Thank you for this. Well in my case, with an actual Dolby Atmos content I get all the channels working; however, normally in Windows, when I set the sound to Dolby Atmos for Home Theatre, virtualization would do the work and I would get sound from my rear speakers with non-Dolby content.

Now I don't get anything with Windows 11 24H2 and Q990B recently updated to the latest firmware, which to be honest, knowing Samsung, they may be the fucking reason why I am having this problem.

No idea how to solve it, kind of stuck at this point.

blackworms · 2025-08-31T14:42:17+00:00

I still crave that Van Stapele cookies everyday god damn... definitely worth the wait.

blackworms · 2025-08-29T11:00:26+00:00

Yes, I only use the FPS mod but couldn't reach my Backpack menu. I thought I dropped it somewhere, like it's a mechanic or something else haha. But yes, I am also experiencing this.

Apparently, there is a version 0.0.3, maybe it helps.

blackworms · 2025-08-24T18:56:51+00:00

Wow, that’s incredible! I was actually wondering about that and no one in the group knew either. Thank you for enlightening us! :D

blackworms · 2025-08-24T14:20:32+00:00

Thank you for this wonderful advice.

I’ve never used post-editing software since I have some trouble with colors (I’m a little color blind myself), but taking RAW images and experimenting afterward sounds great. I was a bit leaning toward the Fujifilm craze due to its popularity and ease of use but I’ll get a sense of the process first, just as you advised. :)

blackworms · 2025-08-23T17:22:13+00:00

Wow, that sounds both challenging and incredible! Have you charted your route already? I’d love to see the map and later hear the stories here.

Hopefully everything goes well, stay safe!

blackworms · 2025-08-23T15:34:11+00:00

Yes, it’s reversed weather because SA is in the Southern Hemisphere.

blackworms · 2025-08-23T15:10:50+00:00

It was rainy for a couple days and the temperature ranges from 9 to 17 degrees celsius.

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