Nov 1 - Hokkaido Shrine, Okurayama Ski Jump Slop, Shiraoi Ainuzoku Village

We have our breakfast at Garden Dining Waraku(環樂) again.  After the breakfast, we walked to the Sapporo Clock Tower (札幌時計台) near the hotel for some photos. It is a symbol of Sapporo and is the oldest building standing in Sapporo. The building was constructed during the early period of Sapporo's development in 1878 as a drill hall of the Sapporo Agricultural College. In 1881 a clock purchased from Boston was installed. Our tour guide mentioned that this is a popular spot for young lovers to take a photo.  According to legend, if you take a photo here as a couple, the chance of successful marriage will be dramatically increased.

Then we visited the Hokkaido Jingu Shinto Shrine (北海道神宮). Until the late 19th century, Hokkaido was known as Ezochi, and was where the ethnic Ainu people developed their own unique culture. In 1869, when the government abolished the Han (feudal domain) system and replaced with prefectures to make progress in centralizing political authority, Ezochi was renamed Hokkaido and became a directly controlled territory of the government. Then, Emperor Meiji selected three protecting deities of the reclamation of Hokkaido (“God of Okunitama,” “God of Onamuchi” and “God of Sukunahikona”) and enshrined them here. In 1964, the “God of Emperor Meiji” was also enshrined here, and the name was changed from “Sapporo Jinja” to “Hokkaido Jingu (Hokkaido Shrine).” Its 180,000-square-meter precincts are also known as one of the best cherry blossom-viewing spots. The shrine burned down in 1974 and was restored in 1978.

Since we visited the Hokkaido Jingu in Fall, we had an opportunity of witness it's beautiful fall foliage. 

There is a Six Flower pavilion which provides free mochi on the 1st Tuesday of each month, therefore we all got into the line and enjoyed some free mochi and tea.  

Then we visited the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium (大倉山滑雪跳台競技場) which was built to host the 90 meter skip jump competitions of the Winter Olympics 1972. Nowadays, when the stadium is not being used for world cup or other ski jump events, the Okurayama Observatory at the top of the hill can be accessed via a chair lift for spectacular views of Sapporo. We all took the ski lift to the top and even enjoy the famous ice cream there. 

Then we had lunch at Yan tei (羊羊亭) in Hakodate (函館) for Korean lamp hot pot (韓國羊肉火鍋).

Then we visited the 白老愛奴村 (Shiraoi Ainuzoku Village)  which is one of the country's best museums about the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan. We enjoyed a Ainu culture and lifestyle show with traditional Ainu folk dances, songs and mouth harp demonstrations. It also explained how they prepare dried salmon and how they traded their salmon for house goods.

After the Shiraoi Ainuzoku Village visit, we drove to Jigokudani Hell Valley (登別地獄谷) for a walk.  When we got there it is almost dark, therefore we just walk around for few minutes and took some photos. Jigokudani Hell Valley is a 24-acre smoking crater of geothermal activity, created by a volcanic eruption 20,000 years ago. Steam vents, geysers, and boiling lakes abound in this park that can usually be smelled (sulfur) before it is seen.

Then we checked into Noboribetsu Grand (登別溫泉旅館).  After buffet dinner in the hotel, we all got a chance to enjoy the spa (溫泉).