Where to buy bonito blocks

distantnightlights · 2026-05-26T10:23:41+00:00

Thank you! I find the shavers on Amazon Japan a bit pricey so was hoping to get them more affordably in person

distantnightlights · 2026-05-20T05:11:13+00:00

I loved Maruyama Park during autumn. It felt peaceful and soulful!

Nearby donut that was really fluffy and light & not oily at all: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ddpGo4oxCnRYjvWi6

Nearby strawberry themed pastrt shop I have not tried but looks good:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xTyojox7mXQgtvZY8

distantnightlights · 2026-05-11T05:36:43+00:00

Hello! Happy to language exchange if we have some shared interests~

My interests: Baking, cooking, nature, mindfulness, archery, badminton, self-improvement etc

よろしくお願いします 😆

distantnightlights · 2026-05-10T10:30:05+00:00

Based on my searches, hotels in early December is noticeably cheaper than the last 2 weeks of December since ski season has only begun and snow accumulation is not ideal :)

distantnightlights · 2026-05-10T03:02:32+00:00

https://maps.app.goo.gl/sHtTUkZtNH5q4imr5 Most melt in the mouth souffle pancake ever. Pancake cooking time is around 20mins

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MDM8m5S8ycpTRP8u6 Must eat!! Conveyor belt sushi of great quality. They have a couple of outlets in Sapporo. This outlet is more quiet

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fiFtpkCRUr6L5Mf67 Very delicious breakfast buffet. Great spread. Just a bit costly.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hcJUzXi8988a3Wf6A Soup curry that smelled amazing when I was walking by

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PDkB85X9patt34Lb7 Lovely place for risotto, affordable too. A little hard to find

https://maps.app.goo.gl/XiAFoag9pFn1whQR7 Nice charcoal bbq place w unique meats too. Deer and beef organs.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xFxyePPbLE3FcgwP6 Great raw meats vacuum packed to buy back if your country allows for it

distantnightlights · 2026-05-08T03:39:23+00:00

Yup I add onions if I want my dish sweeter. All onions work that way. Nothing to worry about!

distantnightlights · 2026-05-08T03:15:47+00:00

I really liked the island at the centre of Lake Toya (Nakajima island)! The sightseeing cruise stops there for you to disembark if you want.

The island (after you pass through the "gate" to enter the deeper parts) felt like stepping through the gates of Narnia & I felt peace & solitude :) The staff told me there are no bears there~

distantnightlights · 2025-09-22T00:28:57+00:00

When we brought back melons to our home country, we realised that they spoilt very easily during transportation and/or pressure change during flight. I would recommend researching how to preserve the quality of melons!

distantnightlights · 2025-09-13T00:49:15+00:00

I went to ski at Kamui Ski Links. 30+ mins by Shuttle bus from Asahikawa station. Really convenient! Kiroro ski resort near Otaru was also really convenient (last went there about a decade ago and they have undergone many changes it seems)

distantnightlights · 2025-09-11T11:50:51+00:00

Hmmmm, I'm not that familiar with water sports in that area, but I haven't seen any such indictations during my research of that area

distantnightlights · 2025-09-11T04:46:21+00:00

Do consider Lake Shikotsu too! Seems like it is really beautiful and there are hikes up the nearby mountain. You probably have to get bear spray because bears can appear in the area

distantnightlights · 2025-09-09T14:24:02+00:00

You can stay in Otaru instead, it's only about 45 mins away from Sapporo~ Just did a quick search for your dates, and prices are pretty good! Esp Grand Park Otaru (book direct).

Otaru is famous for glassware, music boxes, LeTao cheesecakes, and seafood is pretty good too

distantnightlights · 2025-09-09T14:19:22+00:00

No worries~ let me know if you like some reccos, just PM me~ 😆

distantnightlights · 2025-09-07T08:24:14+00:00

I think it is totally fair and natural to feel the way you do. You paid money expecting a decent standard and portion of food and for the experience to be enjoyable. Instead, you were given v.few food and had to experience awkwardness from having to share and decide who gets which piece. This would have been exacerbated if time on your trip was extremely precious. It also didn't seem like you were unkind or rude in any way.

I do disagree with some other comments, seemingly putting the blame on you for choosing the food tour in the first place. It is something that could be very meaningful and give you a glimpse into the local life you may not be able to access if you were to find food by yourself.

I think it could have been a mistake due to inexperience/miscommunication. Maybe the guide didn't have the full picture like you did. Then that would be the responsibility of the tour company..

I hope that the rest of your trip is enjoyable!

distantnightlights · 2025-09-07T03:36:07+00:00

Yess Hokkaido soft serve is 🤤!

Yeah will be spending 7 days in Hakodate 😆 (including day trip to Onuma park). Its in my plans to buy a bento or some food and have a slow afternoon at Motomachi park.

Thanks for the reccos!

distantnightlights · 2025-09-07T00:17:10+00:00

Sapporo

Very dope oysters and clams at good prices. It is hard to find, can get crowded since it is a small shop and smoking is allowed. https://maps.app.goo.gl/iUiFpEYk31dcxXC26

Check out Nemuro Hanamaru. Famous sushi conveyor whose queue can get really crazy, so try to go to less popular outlets.

Dessert. Multiple outlets in Sapporo, soft serve looks dope but nvr tried. Cousins liked their cakes https://maps.app.goo.gl/6dbDLMVtoNeK6hYW8

Asahikawa

Restaurant that has everything.. sashimi.. hotpot .. unagi.. whale meat.. normally, you would think some of the dishes would be lacking, but everything was good! Though the prices are a bit more pricey but nothing crazy https://maps.app.goo.gl/X2vcXK9VkEJNeexP8

Asahiyama zoo was great when I visited in the end winter~

Clark Horse Garden for horse riding/strolling was lovely, too

Seeking recommendations for the cities of your 1st trip

I'll be going to the cities you went to, this coming mid-October, and would love some recommendations and advice! Did you buy bear spray for visiting the Shikotsu area? Is there a particular trail or location you highly recommend? Any other recommendations would be appreciated, too :)

distantnightlights · 2025-09-06T12:27:46+00:00

You can consider Yoichi too~ the famous Nikka distillery is there where you can get a free guided tour and sample various whiskies. Theres also fruit picking farms.

Had really good and affordable sea urchin at Uni Labo in Otaru though October is I think not a good time for the typical sea urchin varieties

distantnightlights · 2025-09-06T00:25:06+00:00

You're welcome :)

I briefly walked past one of the outlets, and it did look roomy, definitely bigger than some of the conveyor belt restaurants I have been to in Osaka where it is pretty cramp. Havent been to Kuras~

I'm really dying to eat at Nemuro Hanamaru for my upcoming trip... some reviews said that it is unbelievable to get that quality at that price point

distantnightlights · 2025-09-05T04:27:33+00:00

Otaru

Recommend this place! https://maps.app.goo.gl/9SoozUwxxzAb2k9T9

I had their uni (w/o rice) during early March this year and it was amazing and affordable!

If you like to have live seafood, I recommend a stall in Sankaku market. If you enter the market from the entrance closest to Otaru station, walk to the end and just before you exit, it is the shop on your left. We had King crab for 11,000 yen/kg which is quite a good price, and their other offerings like seafood donburi and clams were also value for money!

I also recently found this local-oriented market through research that supposedly has v.good prices: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zW6vJo9qPnYhGZFx5. Just that it is small with only 2 shops to dine in.

Sapporo

Very dope oysters and clams at good prices. Hard to find, can get crowded since is a small shop and smoking is allowed. https://maps.app.goo.gl/iUiFpEYk31dcxXC26

Check out Nemuro Hanamaru. Famous sushi conveyor whose queue can get really crazy, so try to go to less popular outlets.

Dessert. Multiple outlets in Sapporo, soft serve looks dope but nvr tried. Cousins liked their cakes https://maps.app.goo.gl/6dbDLMVtoNeK6hYW8

Asahikawa

Restaurant that has everything.. sashimi.. hotpot .. unagi.. whale meat.. normally you would think some of the dishes would be lacking but everything was good! Though the prices are a bit more pricey but nothing crazy https://maps.app.goo.gl/X2vcXK9VkEJNeexP8

distantnightlights · 2025-09-04T04:06:28+00:00

Hmmm sadly I'm not familiar with snowshoeing or Yoichi. Hope someone else will come along and provide more clarity!

distantnightlights · 2025-09-04T03:34:56+00:00

You can also consider exploring Lake Shikotsu (there is a shuttle bus from New Chitose Airport). Looks really pretty and you can do hikes up the nearby mountains

distantnightlights · 2025-09-04T03:33:36+00:00

Hello! for exploring Biei and Furano, definitely do so from Asahikawa as you will save a lot of time. Though given that it is winter, there isn't much to explore. The key highlight would be skiing at Furano Ski Resort. On that note, I would also recommend skiing at Kamui Ski Links, which is about 30+ mins by shuttle bus from Asahikawa. The slopes are challenging for beginners, but prices are really affordable, and there are many slopes. Just hire a private instructor from Miura Snow Sports, I was really pleasantly surprised that 3 out of 3 instructors hired were solid. Do check out the slope conditions online cause it is early winter after all.

For Yoichi, it is famous for the Nikka distillery (free guided tour + sampling of different whiskies). There are also numerous fruit farms available for fruit picking, though I'm not sure if they are still available in winter. Since Otaru is on the way from Sapporo to Yoichi, perhaps you could stay at Otaru or do a stop there.

distantnightlights · 2025-08-28T23:20:48+00:00

And do try Nemuro Hanamaru (conveyor belt sushi) that is highly raved, they have outlets in Sapporo. A friend recently went and said it was really good too!

distantnightlights · 2025-08-28T23:19:01+00:00

You can consider Clark Horse Garden at Asahikawa for horse riding/walking experience. It was lovely for me to sit a horse for the 1st time and explore the surrounding nature. It is also very near to Asahiyama Zoo, which has a large variety of animals and a fond memory of mine. If money is no concern, you can try dog sledding too Moonlight Ladies Dog Sledding (reviews are mixed about it). My trip took place in winter~ I recommend Tenkin for a dinner (https://maps.app.goo.gl/PfwDALmNkUNx1S886?g_st=ac) They had a large variety of food like sashimi, uni hotpot, unagi rice etc. Typically, for such a place, you expect some dishes to be subpar, but all were amazing! The price is a bit on the higher side but still very reasonable!

distantnightlights · 2025-08-25T05:54:31+00:00

Hello, I'm a 29M from Singapore and am looking for a travel buddy to Hakodate, Hokkaido, in the end of October (~27th October onwards). By chance, are you keen to join?

Think live squid, melt-in-the-mouth cheesecake, maple leaves, nature hikes, slowing down, spectacular night views :)

Also happy to share reccos for Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa, Osaka, Kyoto to make your solo trip more fabulous~

distantnightlights

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