Hokkaido: Sapporo Whole Day Package! // Day 2

Hi everyone! :) So glad to be back again after the super loooong absence from this blog. I remember my last post was that seven months ago! So many great things happened lately during my hiatus from this blogsphere that I hope I can share them all to you later on. Meanwhile, the other exciting and thrilling adventures are waiting as well. Wish I can get through everything well :)

Well, let's get back to Hokkaido winter stories! I know, it's now autumn  in Japan, therefore my dream to make a season appropriate post has completely gone. But I guess it's okay, let's just continue it right away ^^

On this second day, we spent the whole day strolling around Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido as well as Japan's fifth largest city! I love this city as it has sooo many attractions to enjoy ^^ I hope you can enjoy it as well, while you're reading this post!

• First Destination: Hanamaru Sushi

Umm, what about some sushi galore to start this post? tehehe.

Hokkaido's crab. It was served cold yet very tasty!

Inside those sushi rolls are Hokkaido's cheese. Even I still remember how yummy they were! 

Some tuna rolls without wasabi. This one is also good. I  mean really really good!

Strawberries as dessert! with Hokkaido's milk poured on them. Nomnomnom :>

Please take me back to Hokkaido!! Writing this post only makes me hungry hahaha. Anyway, my friends and I went to this sushi restaurant named Hanamaru located inside a mall in Sapporo station. The restaurant was so full that day making us wait in line for about 40 minutes before we could finally go inside and have our belly satisfied. It was a really great time for having sushi as breakfast. Yumm... I miss my sushi days, really...

Now let's move out of this sushi restaurant and head to Sapporo's cold air outside. It was a sunny day back then, buuut please don't get fooled by the sun. It was still freezingly chill after all.... >,<

• Second Destination: Hokkaido University

Not too far from Sapporo station, there lies Hokkaido University (Hokudai) which is listed as one of Japan's top universities. We were stunned by the view it offered as we entered the gate. Everything was looking so dreamy as they were elegantly covered with snow. This place is definitely one of my most favorite destinations during this trip!

Some of us across the gate of Hokudai (Hokkaido University)

The gate of Hokudai, without us xD

The famous picturesque rivulet of Hokudai

Furukawa Hall

With my mentor Chie

With Martha, the sweet Spanish girl :)

Feels like everywhere is our playground xD

in front of Hokkaido University Museum

Then, we ended up sipping a cup of hot chocolate at the university cafe near the gate and shopped for some Hokudai merchandises too! ^^ 

 The view outside the cafe's window-- Dharma dolls. It was written: "Goukaku" in Japanese. Literally means: 'Passing an examination'. 

Well, it really was an unforgettable moment to spend some times here and walking in this uberly beautiful university. For everyone who is planning to go to Hokkaido this winter, this spot is really recommended for you! :)

• Third Destination: Former Hokkaido Government Office Building

Here it is, heroically standing in color contrast to its all white surroundings. Yep, this building is regarded as Hokkaido's best-known symbol based on Sapporo Tourism Official Website. It is also well-known as "Akarenga" or "The Red Brick Office". Constructed in 1888, this building was used as Hokkaido Government Office for approximately 80 years until the new building used nowadays was built.

Currently this building is used to exhibit the history of Hokkaido and opened for public with free admission.

The design of the building is the adaptation of American neo-Baroque architecture.

Display of some souvenirs from the cities which have international relationships with Hokkaido.  One of them is Sakhalin Oblast, Russia (since 1998).

The outside view of the building as seen from the 2nd floor.

Operational Hour: 08.45-18.00

All member of this trip <3

I miss you all, so much. It was one of my happiest moments in life to spend one joyful year with you guys :)

(Photo courtesy: Maru-chan ^^)

• Fourth Destination: Sapporo Clock Tower

Basically we just passed by this clock tower and took some photos as we headed to Odori Park to enjoy Sapporo Snow Festival. The bell inside this clock tower rings every hour to announce the time to city. It is said that this building is the historical structure that witnesses the progress of Sapporo from time to time :)

This one is also such an interesting invention for me xD

Well, actually there is still one destination left in this second day's itinerary, that is going to my most awaited event here in Hokkaido, "Sapporo Snow Festival" in Odori Park like I said above. But, since I gotta off to bed now, I'm gonnna tell you about the snow festival on the next post! You know, I went to the snow festival twice during this trip, the one at the Odori Park and the one at Susukino area that I enjoyed on the third day, which is the next day. So I think I will just make them in one post next time! I just can't wait to share the joy of this trip to you. I'm feeling sooo excited now! >.< :D

Well, see ya on the next post! Good night from Indonesia :)

xx,

Shabrina

Flying Back :)

Another hi and another sorry since I've been away from this blog for nearly a month. This past few weeks had been a really really busy period for me and now I'm already back to my homeland, Indonesia. I landed safe and sound in Yogyakarta my favorite city, several days ago. And yes, with a mixed feeling and the undeniable reverse culture shock. As well as the temperature shock. 

Getting off form the plane, too many differences welcomed me. No more Japanese characters as long as I set my sight (those characters always managed to make me dizzy during my first weeks of living there and now, ironically I had to go home when I already got accustomed to them). No more crowd mumbling in Japanese. No more people dressing like what they want. No more vending machines in every corner of every place. And there will be still a lot of "no more-s" to tell. But hey! I gotta be happy because I met my family and old friends already and they're so kind as ever to pick me up at the airport.

Around a year in Japan, to study and to experience zillions of new things, going back home ain't an easy deal for me. Ain't easy at all, I suppose. Leaving all the customs and habits, the people, the air.. and of course all my best friends. Either the Japanese ones or the other foreign students. But I believe in the power of best friends and reunion. Once we were brought together, no matter how, when and where we will  surely reunite. I can't wait to meet them again in this near future or just.. in anytime! 

Till the time we meet, I hope you guys are always be in good health and loaded with happiness and strength to face everything. I can't express how grateful I am to be the part of this friendship and you guys to be the part of my life. <3

at Yokohama City Air Terminal (YCAT) before leaving for Narita Airport. Left to right; Suzuki-san, me, Li Getsuyou-senpai, Maru-chan and Dominika

I can't thank Suzuki-san, Dominika, Li-senpai and Maru for staying at the terminal until my bus departed. Also, without them I wouldn't be able to bring all of my luggages (two suitcases and two handbags) safely until the terminal. I wanted to send those goods to the airport two days before my flight but heavy snow ruined my plan heartlessly. But thank god, I have angels like them that helped me a lot.  Ah , I miss them so much. They've been so kind to me every time. I wish that I can be a good friend for them too. And I can't describe how I really want to meet them right now.

I was so happy to be able to leave Japan on the same date with Maru. We went to different airports though. I left for Narita Airport while Maru to Haneda Airport. It's been a really great friendship ever since we met in April. We had been in ups and downs for this several months but we stay to support each other. I doubt that I could meet a kind person like Maru for twice, so I'll keep her forever as my best friend. We even planned to come to each other's country on the next holiday. I can't waittt because it's gonna be fun ! Oh wait, we also planned to join Dominika to go to Myanmar to meet Lin. And there are still many other plans set to get back together. I also pray for my reunion with my cute American girl, Whitney. I'll put effort to make it all true !

My last breakfast before I flew back. Tully's Coffee's french toasts were so delicious, moreover to be paired with that Matcha Latte. I swear. 

My flight time was changed 10 minutes earlier

I left Japan after heavy snowy days. I worried if my flight was gonna be canceled due to the weather but fortunately everything went flawlessly. You can still spot the snow that covered the land of Chiba Prefecture, where Narita airport is located. 

I stopped staring at the window as the plane was getting higher, made saw nothing but this field of puffy clouds. Bye bye for awhile Japan, till I come to you again, soon ! <3

4233 meters of distance had been passed smoothly. Temperature of 31 degress celcius embraced me tightly and force me to take off my coat. 

"Welcome home"

Anyway, even though I'm home already now, but I will still blog about my experiences in Japan since I still got tons of photos and stories to share. Gonna be back soon with my snowy stories in Hokkaido. Make sure you won't miss it, see ya ! ;)

xx,

Shabrina

Seijin no Hi // Furisode Galore

Jan 13, 2014

Meiji Jingu Shrine, Harajuku, Tokyo

Last week was "Seijin no Hi" or coming of age day. I decided to see how things felt like on this special day, so I went to Meiji Jingu, a shrine located in Harajuku, Tokyo. In Japan, someone is regarded as an adult when they turn 20. In this special day, all girls will wear a special kind of kimono called "furisode", a long-sleeved kimono that is worn by unmarried woman on ceremonial occasions. 

I went here all alone, because my friends were reluctant to go out that day. They were tired, and so was I actually. But I just couldn't help going out to snap some furisode pictures, so yeah, I finally went out, accompanied by my camera. What a fun "me time", it was.

Seijin no hi usually falls on the second Monday of January. Because of the cold weather during that period, furisode is commonly combined with faux fur on the collar side to keep the one who wears it warm.

You know, I was following this girl in orange furisode below like a freak until eventually I managed to say these words, "may I take a picture of you?" in Japanese. 

It wasn't easy for me to say this at first, and it indeed took a lot of pluck for me to finally did it. I really put effort to gather my courage. Since Japanese are well-known for their shy character, I thought that it won't go smoothly. But then, oolala... to my surprise, it just worked flawlessly. hahah. At the end, I got accustomed to saying it to everyone that I wanted to take the picture of.

anyway, I love this girl's expression. flat but meaningful. you name it.

they're looking so gorgeous from head to toe !

Now, let's sneak into the inner part of the shrine :)

that perfect combination of furisode and faux fur. looking so winter(y) <3

purple furisode, so beautiful !

beautiful patterns and super long sleeves. I just couldn't stop awing at this.

Everyone was so lovely that day. The hairdo, the clutch, the faux fur, the obi, everything ! If I were a Japanese, I could wear furisode and come to seijin shiki ( the celebration of the coming of age day) since I turned 20 too on June, last year.

 

Haha guess who took this photo ? The mom of the girl next to me took it. They both were so kind. I felt lucky that I also could have a picture of me. mehehe.

Usually, after I finished with photo taking matters, I always said "thank-you" and "congratulations" for officially becoming an adult, in Japanese. It was so much fun and thrilling !

Seijin shiki itself was held in the city hall or hotel ballroom. The participants gathered there and heard to the elderly's speech. Finish with it, they went to shrines or temples to pray for their new life as an adult. So basically there's no special attraction for common people unless seeing girls with beautiful furisode. 

Anyway, these are some pictures of Meiji Jingu itself. It was still in the vibes of new year the time I went here.

 This shrine is located adjacent to Harajuku station, hence it is so easy to find this shrine if you plan to come to Tokyo. Many traditional events are held in here, and this place is free of charge. Even you can see Japanese shinto traditional wedding ceremony too ! I've been here twice and I always managed to see wedding ceremonies, so I think it's not a rare opportunity to see such precious things here. I highly recommend this place ! ;)

Until the next post, guys ! xx

Shabrina