2023 Hokkaido Trip Day 07 : KKDay Tour : Jigokudani - Cape Chikyuu - Showa Shinzan - Lake Toya

The other (final tour) that I did for this trip since I can't drive. I took .. 

KLook/ HIS KKDay Tour : Jigokudani - Cape Chikyuu - Showa Shinzan - Lake Toya 

Tour: Chinese, Japanese (and English) 

Remark: The tour guide did not explain more info in English. Only critical timings were discussed in ALL language. Most info are in Jp or Chinese (if you know both, you will be fine). I find that this is better paced than the last tour because it gave us more time to eat our lunch. 

Tips: 

• Your meeting point once you alight the bus are usually the parking lot meant for tour buses. You need to know the car plate number as there are buses of the same brand. 
• Bring your own food (sandwiches preferably) and have a nice little picnic by the lake in case you do not have time for lunch (or do want to eat and enjoy the park!) 
• Sit on the left side of the bus (opposite the driver side) for better views. 
• If you are keen on doing the foot bath (after your lunch), you need to bring your own towel, also best if you are wearing sandals (at least you won't get your socks or shoes wet). 
• Most toilet breaks are stop overs to rest areas, which is also a good way to buy some souvenir. Though it would be best if you already have a list in mind, because if you are just dilly-dallying, you will not have much time to do your shopping (unless you are driving there) 

Timeline 

A glimpse of the tour (and what goes on.. )

0700 - At the hotel lobby to meet with the tour guide (and confirming the name). The guide will ask if you need to have a toilet break. (Always take it!) 

0715 - 0730 leave hotel 1 (first meetup point) 

0747 - 0852 leave hotel 2 (moriyama) for noboribetsu

0852  - 0910 (unplanned toilet break) - 0925 on the way to noboribetsu

For the first 2 hours, it is more of a road trip to Noboribetsu. Only when it was around 0930 did we reach the  first place.

0930 - 1000 Jigokudani, Noboribetsu

It is pretty much a straight path 1000 - 1040 on the way to muroran city (crossing the Hakucho (Swan) Bridge) , cape chikyuu

1040 - 1105 Cape Chikyuu 

1105 - 1150 On the way to  showa shinzan 

1150 - 1240 showa shinzan (40mins) - Bear Ranch @ Showa Shinzan (better to pass the time outside instead of the ranch)

It was actually a sorry ass ranch.  I pity the black bear "residing" (but this is the closest thing you get to see a black bear). 

1240 - 1300 on the way to lake toya 

1300 - 1420 lake toya (1h20m) & lunch by the lake (though need to find a shelter or tree because it is really quite hot) 

Around this area is the pokemon hole cover (the nearest toilet to this place.. ) 

The pokemon manhole cover (Vulpix) 

It was an impromptu picnic. Since it was off season, there were benches along the park where you can eat peacefully ( you just need to find a bench with a shelter). You can also just walk around the area. The tour does cater for lunch at a nearby restaurant. You have to pay for it (not included). We knew that it was just best to get  lunch by ourselves. We bought shrimp sandwich from famima and ate it by  Lake Toya (Tip: Just find a bench overlooking the Lake). Best to sit on the benches with under the shade of the tree. 

 

Tip: This was an accidental find was the Pokemon Sewer Cover (right by the rest room where the foot bath are) 

Around 2ish, we walked around the area as there was still time and decided to have some Cremia ice cream (Must try!)  (540yen) and imoten at wakasaimo 

You can take your time here and admire the lake view (and eat your sweets) . You just need to manage your time.We were just there for around 15 mins.  This place also sells some food souvenirs, you can bring back home. You can also have a taste of a freshly fried imoten (fried sweet potato)

One of the nicest ice cream out there (and yes, this is a must buy! The hype is worth it!) 

1421 - 1434 On the way to lake sairo observatory 

1435 - 1510 lake sairo

You are free to roam the area. There isn't much in the observatory, so after we took our pictures, we already head back to the bus. 

1510 - 1633 On the way to lake shikotsu 

Travel time to Lake shikotsu after Lake Sairo (1h50m)  

1633 - 1715 lake shikotsuko (40mins). The last itinerary for the day. You will need to pass through this villa or hotel before being able to view the lake. 

The view you will see after you pass by the park. (well the lake is also part of the park) 
You can time yourself to cross the bridge and come back (but you need to mind your time) . 

while crossing the bridge 
on the way back to the parking lot, you will pass by this park 

after that it was time to go back to Sapporo 

 1715 - 1835 On the way to sapporo

After dropping us off at our hotel, it was time for dinner. We went to Daruma Honten, which was just at the back of the hotel (yes, around the red light district area) . You need to wait a couple of hours to get a seat (The main branch, only has 12 counter seats, but diners do eat fast as the dishes were served quite fast. And yes, this is a must eat and must queue spot!) 

How the queue looks like from the outside .. 

The food was well worth the wait. 

Daruma honten, Susukino Main Branch 

Dishes ordered: 

1. Normal jingisukan

2. Jouten jingisukan

3. Corn tea

*Must eat in Sapporo (dont let the long lines deter you fr eating this)

Note:

1. They use mutton fat as your oil

2. They don't serve service water so you need to buy your drinks

Comment: one of the best grilled lamb that I've eaten.  

To cap the night, we just went to nearby Surugaya (they opened till late, 10PM) and shop to walk off the extra calories.