My Break Plans

Nov. 18th- Travel from Kyoto to Hokkaidō, get settled for 4 night stay at Sapporo Youth Hostel

Nov. 19th – Snowboarding

Nov. 20th- Visit Jozankei Hot Springs

Nov. 21st- Chocolate factory, beer museum

Nov. 22nd – To Tokyo

Nov. 22-24th- Stay at Sakura Hostel for 2 nights, explore Tokyo!

Nov. 24th – Meet at hotel in Osaka at 5:00

Snowboarding: Sapporo Teine Highland
To get to Highland you use the high speed gondola. It is fairly new and there is rarely any waiting time involved. Once you get off you have the choice of either taking the ropeway (slow but with high capacity) to the peak, or warming up with some lower runs before heading to the top using the chairlifts.
After fresh snowfalls the Ropeway option is a godsend. From the top you have the option of either taking the groomed intermediate trail down to the black runs (which offer good moguls depending on the time of season) or going under the ropeway for some excellent and in some places steep off-piste skiing and snowboarding through the trees on very good powder snow. If you above intermediate level and weather conditions are good, these runs are as good as any backcountry areas in Niseko or Nagano, with the exception of length. No matter which route you take, the bottom arrives far too soon. This is one of the reasons why Highland is frequented mostly by experienced skiers, especially Sapporo locals

Jozankei Hot Spring
Jozankei Hot Spring, popular as a retreat on the outskirts of Sapporo, was discovered by the monk Jozan approximately 130 years ago. With the Toyohira River gently meandering through the spa center, the natural splendor of the gorge produces a distinct air in each season and soothes our mind. Mountain trails that enable us to fully enjoy nature are also popular.

Ishiya Chocolate Factory
More than a walk around a conveyor belt, a visit to this factory is a total trip into the world of chocolate—its history, its culture and, of course, its production. The factory comprises five zones, each with a dedicated theme. There is even a special confectionery kitchen where you can learn how to and try making your own chocolate. Another zone, "The Chocolate Lounge," serves chocolate drinks, cakes and other delicacies in surroundings reminiscent of a 19th century English pub. Shiroi Koibito, white chocolate between two cookies, makes a wonderful souvenir.

Sapporo Beer Museum
The Sapporo Beer Museum (North 7, East 9; tel. 01-1731-4368), run by the Sapporo Brewing Company, offers free guided tours covering the history of beer in Japan and the process of brewing. At the end of the tour you can "taste" all the beer you want for 30 minutes or so; as you might expect, this makes the tour quite popular, so advance reservations are recommended in summer.