Ainu museum features the history of Hokkaido Island’s ancient people. There was a show which highlighted the traditional wild living which people believed were in nature and soul. They had songs to worship nature and Gods before going out to catch the animals in the jungle. They also played their traditional musical instruments which were made from wood.
The style of their houses consisted of high roofs, which helped protect them from the snow. They would hang up the salmon they caught on the side of their houses so that the salmon would dry in the sun. They would eat the salmon during the cold winter. An interesting fact is that women would have a tattoo on their faces. This was considered beautiful, though to me, I can’t imagine ever doing that for the amount of pain one must go through.
The trees that covered the island’s mountains were beautiful. They looked like they were out of a landscape painting. Bears also live in the mountains. Noboribetsu, a staff member of the bear park, takes care of all those bears and preserves them before they become extinct. Tourists brought apples for the bears, and the bears were even holding out their hands all ready for the apples, so there’s no doubt that the bears like apples.
The Otaru Music Box Museum creates many lovely and unique music boxes. These kind of music boxes are an appropriate gift for someone. Some styles consist of a design of an angel, sushi, and others ears dressed in royal clothing.
No need to complain about the meals in Hokkaido at all. Every bite is delicious whether it be desserts or main courses. The fact that the weather is so cold doesn’t matter when there are many hot meals to have. For example, hot pots and grilled meats, which are as popular as beef, pork and lamb in Thailand. There is also a major love for seafood here, especially giant crab.
To me, the milk and yogurt here is a lot more delicious and fresher than what I have ever tasted before. If one would like to try something simple, furikake would be a nice example. Furikake is a dry Japanese seasoning which should be sprinkled on top of rice.
The dessert is also very delicious as it is not too sweet. You will not be disappointed about the snacks here.
Our tour guide, Nontawat Wor Singhakajen, suggested several snacks which have special ingredients and are only available at Hokkaido Island, such as matcha Kit-Kat, and pistachios covered in wasibi. If produducts are made on the island a blue Hokkaido Island logo will be on the packaging. He said, “If the Hokkaido logo appears on the product, that means you can find that product only in Hokkaido. No one can find Hokkaido products in any other area.”
The fact that the whole trip was cold was turned around when we finally ended up going somewhere where we could warm up. We went to Onsen. Onsen is a place where one can relax within a 40 degree hot spring. By taking a break from the cold weather, one is able to refresh their energy.
I would like to thank Sansiri, who gave me this great opportunity. It was certainly worth it, even though it took six hours to get there!