Hokkaido

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Doko Ga Hokkaido: Hakodate market

Melissa Chang,

After the rest of the group dispersed to other parts of Japan or went home to Hawaii, I headed to south Hokkaido to the famous port town of Hakodate. Since it was one of the first of only five Japanese ports…

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Doko Ga Hokkaido: Sapporo eats, part 2

Melissa Chang,

We wrapped up the group travel part of the trip with Doko Ga TV by exploring a few historic spots in Sapporo … and, of course, getting some last bites in. Sapporo Clock Tower. Before I show you the spots near…

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Doko Ga Hokkaido: Sapporo eats, part 1

Melissa Chang,

In the interest of time, I’m splitting my Sapporo restaurants into two posts and I believe these are more miscellaneous spots, whereas the ones I’m profiling tomorrow are close to JR Sapporo Station. When you travel with Pali Kaaihue —…

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Doko Ga Hokkaido: Discovering Ebetsu

Melissa Chang,

When Pali Kaaihue was working with the Hokkaido government on this trip for Doko Ga TV, he requested that we get to see the hidden gems of Japan’s northernmost island, things that many American tourists might miss for lack of information or…

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Doko ga Hokkaido: Tanaka sake

Melissa Chang,

Just as various foods are symbolic of Japan, sake — their national beverage — is almost exclusively Japanese. To produce high-quality sake, you need the perfect rice and the perfect water, mixed with centuries of tradition and science. There are several…

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Aloha Hokkaido! Doko Ga?

Melissa Chang,

People always ask me what my favorite destination is, and I have to admit, Hokkaido is at the top of the list. The northernmost island of Japan seems to have it all, and in abundance. If you want the big…

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Aloha Sapporo! Last day in Furano

Melissa Chang,

Aoi Ike, or the Blue Pond. We spent almost a full day sightseeing from Furano to Sapporo on the bus route back, taking us to scenic points to see fall foliage and the now-famous Blue Pond. Since Hokkaido is Japan’s…

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Aloha Sapporo! Visiting Furano, part 2

Melissa Chang,

The field outside our cabin in the mornings.Our visit to Furano — the middle of Hokkaido, and one of the most agricultural areas — continued with a very interactive tour to various farms. Although it’s a famously popular area for…

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Aloha Sapporo! Visiting Furano, part 1

Melissa Chang,

I headed to Sapporo with four friends because we won a tour from Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel — we just had to provide our own air fare. What fun! After a full day in the city, the Treasure Island bus…

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Aloha Sapporo! Return to the city

Melissa Chang,

I can’t believe it’s been two years since I last went to Sapporo. When Hawaiian Airlines launched their inaugural flight route there, I got to go and blogged about the experience. It ended up being my (and my friend Laurie…

Sapporo faves

Melissa Chang,

I had no idea that Sapporo — or Hokkaido, really — was such a destination. When you think of Japan, you usually think of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, but Sapporo should be added to that list.We did a lot in…

Aloha Sapporo! Last day in the city

Melissa Chang,

Hawaiian Airlines’ flights from Sapporo to Honolulu are on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. (arrives in Honolulu at about 10 a.m.). We spent one last night in the city, but due to the late flight, were given the…

Aloha Sapporo! Visiting Asahikawa

Melissa Chang,

First rule of visiting Sapporo (or anyplace in Hokkaido): Don’t believe the reverse hype. We were told that there’s nothing in Sapporo and we should get out of town, but the city actually offers a lot. We went to Asahikawa…