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Cherry Blossom Binge Continues in Busan

July 6, 2018, 7:00 pm
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Fresh off the bus from Jinhae, I continue my cherry blossom binge in Busan.

Samnak Ecological Park

Just 800 meters from Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal is Samnak Ecological Park, where earlier on the bus I had seen a long pathway lined with cherry blossom trees. At Samnak Ecological Park families, friends, and couples are enjoying walking under the cherry blossoms or having a picnic on the grassy areas.

Directions to Samnak Ecological Park: Take subway line 2 to Sasang Station, exit 3, and walk 800 meters west to Samnak Ecological Park. Or at Sasang Station, transfer to Busan Gimhae Light Rail and get off at Gwaebeop Renecite Station.






Oncheoncheon Park

It was still early afternoon and I had time for one more stop: Oncheoncheon Park. From Dongnae Station, through a dark underpass, and out into the sunlight with artsy walls leading to Oncheoncheon Park. Oncheon Stream runs though the middle and throughout the length of the park (about 3 km). There are stepping stones crossing the stream in some sections. Running parallel on both sides of the stream are cherry blossom trees. The park is bursting with color not only from the cherry blossoms but also from the patches of different types of flowers (canola, pansies, daffodils, roses, etc.). There are picnickers on the grassy areas, runners on the path, and cyclists on the bicycle lane. Busanites gather on the bleachers when there's a performance to watch.

Directions to Oncheoncheon Park: Take subway line 1 or line 4 to Dongnae Station, exit 2. Or take subway line 1 to Busan National University of Education, exit 6.

Go through a dark underpass to get to Oncheoncheon Park

Art on the wall


Go on a picnic

Smell the flowers





Couples going for a stroll



Busanites watching a performance


Jwasuyeong-ro

As if yesterday's cherry blossom stops in Jinhae and Busan were not enough, I began my last day in South Korea with another visit to a cherry blossom lined area: Jwasuyeong-ro in Busan. Jwasuyeong-ro is a road parallel to a river (Oncheon Stream actually spills into this river) and right across Centum City. It is significantly less crowded than the parks I had visited yesterday. There are many condominiums in the area and it seems the people out and about were locals living nearby, just getting some exercise or walking their pets or relaxing by the river with their family or pursuing a hobby—like the elderly Busanite who was painting. When he saw me watching him, he offered to sketch me! I obliged and, because I wasn't sure what to do, I just stood there as still as I could so he could properly draw my face. Haha! He gave me his sketch—the best souvenir I got this trip! Thank you Mister Busan Artist!

Directions to Jwasuyeong-ro: Take subway line 2 to Millak Station, exit 2.

Walking path by the water



Cycling lane


Walking her dogs...or are the dogs walking her?


Walking/Jogging path





Centum City across the river

Mr. Busan Artist







South Korea Spring 2018
Jeju Accommodation: Sum Guesthouse Jeju Airport
Traveling Around Jeju by Bus
Checking out Cafes in Jeju
Jeju: Location, Location, Location (for a Photoshoot)
Jeju Eats
History and Nature in East Jeju
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jeju
Hiking Hallasan via Yeongsil and Eorimok Trails
Daegu International Airport to Gyeongju
Gyeongju Accommodation: Chacharang Guesthouse
UNESCO World Heritage: Gyeongju Historic Areas
Walking Around Gyeongju
UNESCO World Heritage: Gyeongju Yangdong Historic Village
Joining the Cherry Blossom Loving Crowds in Jinhae
Cherry Blossom Binge Continues in Busan (you're here!)
(more soon)
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Busan Museum of Art

July 8, 2018, 7:00 pm
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Having no plan for the last day in Busan, I closed my eyes, and randomly pointed on my map. I wish I was that spontaneous! I am not. But, honestly, I didn't have any plan, and I just looked at my map to check if there was anything of interest near where I was at the moment. And it led me to Busan Museum of Art, just 1.5 kilometers away by foot from Jwasuyeong-ro or two stations away by subway from Millak Station.


Even before I reached the entrance of the museum, I was already greeted by large pieces of art: sculptures by local and foreign artists.



Inside the Busan Museum of Art were two floors of exhibit halls, not including the children's gallery in the basement. All the exhibits at that time were admission-free.

Admiring the work of Cho BuGyeong, an artist based in Busan

"Sea2016 Standing Sea1" by Chun MiKyung, another artist from Busan

"Blue Moss" by Cho EunPil

There was a gallery of artworks by Japanese artists who came to Korea during the Japanese occupation (1910-1945). There was also an exhibit called "Busan as the Wartime Capital" with artworks by Busan artists created in the years after the liberation of Korea (1945). And a gallery of black and white photographs of Busan taken from the 1950s to 1980s (the exhibit is entitled "The Warmth of a Moment") by three local photographers: Jung InSung, Choi MinSik, and Kim BokMan.





A short film

On the left is "Walking in Shoreditch" by Julian Opie, a British artist

The Warmth of a Moment Exhibit


In the Children's Gallery in the basement were whimsical paintings and an installation called "Welcome Home", which was an all white room with colorful art projected on the walls, chair, cabinet, shelf, sofa, TV, etc.


"Welcome Home"


Busan Museum of Art had plenty of paintings, photographs, mixed media, sculptures, and short films of landscapes, people, still life, and abstract. It kept me occupied for two hours! By the time I went out there was no more time to explore other places. I had to go back to the guesthouse to retrieve my bag and head on to the airport.

Busan Museum of Art
부산시립미술관
58 APEC-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Tuesday to Sunday 10AM to 6PM (Closes at 9PM on Saturday)
Admission is free for the Permanent Exhibition and Children's Gallery. Special Exhibition may require a fee.

Directions to Busan Museum of Art: Take subway line 2 to BEXCO/Busan Museum of Art Station, exit 5.


South Korea Spring 2018
Jeju Accommodation: Sum Guesthouse Jeju Airport
Traveling Around Jeju by Bus
Checking out Cafes in Jeju
Jeju: Location, Location, Location (for a Photoshoot)
Jeju Eats
History and Nature in East Jeju
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jeju
Hiking Hallasan via Yeongsil and Eorimok Trails
Daegu International Airport to Gyeongju
Gyeongju Accommodation: Chacharang Guesthouse
UNESCO World Heritage: Gyeongju Historic Areas
Walking Around Gyeongju
UNESCO World Heritage: Gyeongju Yangdong Historic Village
Joining the Cherry Blossom Loving Crowds in Jinhae
Cherry Blossom Binge Continues in Busan
Busan Museum of Art (you're here!)
(more soon)
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What's in a (Business) Name? Setenta y cinco

July 29, 2018, 7:00 pm
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Spring 2018 Jeju and Southeast South Korea Itinerary and Expenses

July 10, 2018, 7:00 pm
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After my first visit in South Korea in 2012, I had told myself that I would visit the country every two years until I have visited all its provinces. And so I did...



Exchange rate as of March 2018 was 0.0499.

The table of expenses presented above does not include the domestic flights to and from Jeju. A domestic plane ticket to Jeju is around 67,000 won per way (including surcharge and tax).  Promo tickets could be as low as 22,000 won per way (including surcharge and tax).

The average spend for accommodations, food, land transportation, and admission fees for this trip was around 44,000 won a day. This was because the first two nights was spent at a friend's house, so I did not spend for accommodations and transportation. And my generous friends treated me to some meals and admission fees. On the average, from this (not including the first three days) and the past three trips, I have figured out my budget for South Korea: 55,000 won per day which includes accommodation, transportation, food, and admission fees.

After four visits, have I finally visited all provinces and special cities? No! I have only been to five (of nine) provinces and four (of eight) special cities. I have a long way to go!

Note: This trip was in March 2018. When Mactan International Airport Terminal 2 opened in July, the international terminal fee increased to Php850.



South Korea Spring 2018
Jeju Accommodation: Sum Guesthouse Jeju Airport
Traveling Around Jeju by Bus
Checking out Cafes in Jeju
Jeju: Location, Location, Location (for a Photoshoot)
Jeju Eats
History and Nature in East Jeju
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jeju
Hiking Hallasan via Yeongsil and Eorimok Trails
Daegu International Airport to Gyeongju
Gyeongju Accommodation: Chacharang Guesthouse
UNESCO World Heritage: Gyeongju Historic Areas
Walking Around Gyeongju
UNESCO World Heritage: Gyeongju Yangdong Historic Village
Joining the Cherry Blossom Loving Crowds in Jinhae
Cherry Blossom Binge Continues in Busan
Busan Museum of Art
Spring 2018 Jeju and Southeast South Korea Itinerary (you're here!)
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Wisdom from the Road #65

June 30, 2018, 7:00 pm
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On fastfood

Clean up after yourself. In the Philippines (and maybe other countries too) there are staff who will clear the table after, but how hard could it be to clean up after ourselves? This small act would make a difference especially if the fastfood restaurant is busy or is understaffed.

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Wisdom from the Road #66

July 31, 2018, 7:00 pm
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On business

Buena mano, which literally translates to "good hand," is a concept wherein the first sale of the day is believed to bring good sales for the rest of the day. The money received from the day's first transaction is patted on the goods for good luck.

I have always thought this was a Filipino thing. But, wrong, this is also practiced in Myanmar! I was very surprised when after we bought some stuff, the lady started patting her goods with the money! (I just don't know what they call it there.) Have you observed this in other countries, too?
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What's in a (Business) Name? Setenta y seis

August 29, 2018, 7:00 pm
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Clean and Comfy Airbnb in Taguig

August 8, 2018, 7:00 pm
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This Airbnb is a 23-square-meter studio apartment in a condominium building in Taguig. It is very clean and in a secure building. Clear information regarding rules and check in is provided upon booking. The owner may be reached by mobile phone and is very responsive. Self check in process is quick and easy.

The apartment is exactly as advertised. It has an excellent airconditioner (very cold!), WiFi, TV, microwave, refrigerator, stove, water heater, plates and utensils. Towels, soap, shampoo, and toilet paper are provided.




The location is also excellent—just 5 kilometers from the airport, a 3-minute walk to Venice Grand Canal Mall, a short ride to Market! Market!, Bonifacio High Street, The Mind Museum, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, and Libingan ng mga Bayani. And on the ground floor of the building next door is a small grocery store.

It is a bit pricey if only one person stays, but good value for 3 (about Php 2100 for up to 3 persons, including cleaning fee and service fee) to 4 persons (about Php 2400).
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Wisdom from the Road #67

August 31, 2018, 7:00 pm
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On unexpected situations

When you suddenly find yourself alone in an unfamiliar place with no plan because your travel buddy had to fly back home on an emergency and he was the one doing all the planning: Keep Calm and Wander On. Happened to me in Manila. I had left all the planning to Brennan of Baktin Corporation telling him I would follow him wherever he went. But on the third day of the trip, he had to cut his trip short, and I had no idea where I would go for the 1.5 days left. Thank God for data plans, Google, and Grab.

When you are stuck in a train in the middle of nowhere because they have suspended train operations due to heavy rain: Keep Calm and Weigh Your Options. Happened to a friend who was traveling in Japan. She was a third of the way to Shimosuwa from Tokyo, a 3-hour train ride, when the trains were stopped. She waited and it was eventually announced that trains wouldn't resume operation to where she was going. Luckily she had a friend living in a nearby prefecture who took her in for the night.
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Libingan ng mga Bayani

September 6, 2018, 7:00 pm
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My travel buddy abandoned me in a cemetery in Taguig because I was a pain to be with. He wanted me buried in one of the plots there. Unfortunately for him, I was no hero. Just joking. He had to fly home on an emergency and I decided to visit a cemetery. But the first story would have been more interesting. I would have asked him to choose a spot next to one of the Philippine presidents.

Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig is the final resting place of tens of thousands of Filipinos who have brought honor to the country: soldiers, statesmen, national artists/scientists, presidents.


The words of General Douglas MacArthur

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

It was a gloomy and quiet afternoon when I visited Libingan ng mga Bayani. I found the graves of three of four Philippine presidents: Elpidio Quirino, Carlos Garcia, and Ferdinand Marcos. (I didn't see Diosdado Macapagal's.) Ferdinand Marcos's was being guarded by three soldiers and visitors had to write down their names on a logbook.


Memorials were erected around the cemetery. One is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with three pillars representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. There are memorials for the Filipino soldiers who fought in the Korean War, in the Vietnam War, and in World War II.



And around the 103-hectare cemetery were thousands of white crosses marking the graves of soldiers. The stillness of the cemetery disrupted every five minutes or so by a plane flying overhead.
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From Manila to Bataan by Ferry

August 10, 2018, 7:00 pm
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What's the shortest distance between two points? A straight line! And that is what 1Bataan Integrated Transport System has brought to the people: a faster option (a little over an hour) to get from Manila to Bataan. From Esplanade Seaside Terminal MOA (Manila) to Port Capinpin in Orion, Bataan (and vice versa) to be exact.

Photo from Budget Biyahera

This service has been running for less than a year (it made its maiden voyage on December 11, 2017). The ferry is very clean, the aircondition really cold. If you watch the movie that they show during the journey, expect to walk out of the ferry freezing and wondering what happens at the end of the movie. Freezing if you sit right in front of the TV which has the AC above the TV and wondering because the journey is just a little over an hour and the movie take at least 1.5 hours. Which is what happened to us, the staff had to call our attention because we were too absorbed in the movie to notice that we were the only guests left in the ferry, everyone else had disembarked!

Inside the ferry

Although taking the bus would be cheaper (about Php300), taking the ferry would be faster, traffic free, and more comfortable. The ferry ticket costs Php450 (one way) when booked online, but way more expensive when booked at the terminal at Php799 (one way).

Daily Schedule
(As of August 6, 2018; Please check 1Bataan Integrated Transport System's website or facebook page for updates)
Manila to Orion 7AM
Orion to Manila 9AM
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National Museum of Natural History

September 8, 2018, 7:00 pm
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The Philippines' National Museum of Natural History opened on May 18, 2018. At the time of my visit (August 2018), only seven of the twelve galleries have opened, the other five were still works in progress.


There are exhibits about the Philippines' UNESCO Natural Heritage Sites; species of plants and animals that have been discovered in the country; mangroves, beaches, wetlands, and forests in the Philippines; and marine, plant, and animal life of our country.

Plants and animals discovered in the Philippines

There are replicas (such as Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, which I learned we had 13 species of! But, sadly, endangered.), miniature models (such as the lakes in the Philippines), life-size models (making you feel like you were walking through a forest or a mangrove), taxidermied animals, pressed plants, interactive zones, and activity areas.

Explore the mangrove

Check out the flora and fauna of a mossy forest

The mangroves and forests (pine forests, mossy forests, rainforests, etc) exhibits I thought were pretty awesome. It was like walking through a mangrove/forest and observing the creatures that inhabit it. It was also interesting to learn about the animals endemic to the country. Some creatures I had only heard and seen for the first time: such as the weird looking bird called Philippine Frogmouth.

Take a closer look at these plants

Two extinct birds in the Philippines: spot-billed pelican (left) and sarus crane (right).

Marbled water monitor, endemic to the Philippines

Of all the exhibits, my favorite would have to be about the underwater life in the Philippines. I love the sea but can only dream of scuba diving. In this exhibit, I learned about some corals that I have seen while snorkeling, poisonous corals and creatures, and which areas in the Philippines we can find whales, dolphins and sea cows.




Check out this corner to know where to spot whales, dolphins, and sea cows in the Philippines.

The titan triggerfish (center, back row) attacked me in Gilutungan!

It makes me proud that we have these museums—National Museum of Natural History, National Art Gallery, Museum of the Filipino People—in the country! And then it makes me sad to learn how we have taken our natural resources for granted. We have many animals endemic to our country, but are a threatened species (Philippine eagle, tamaraw, rufous hornbill, Visayan warty pig, etc) because of hunting and loss of habitat. In 1900, we had 70% of forest cover. It is now 2018; the chart shows just data from 1999 and the projection for 2010! I shudder to think how little is left—if any at all!


National Museum of Natural History
Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, Ermita, Manila
Tuesday to Sunday 10AM to 5PM
Free admission

Directions: Take the LRT to United Nations Station. Walk 300 meters to the National Museum of Natural History.
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What's in a (Business) Name? Setenta y siete

September 29, 2018, 7:00 pm
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Wisdom from the Road #68

September 30, 2018, 7:00 pm
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On transportation #2
When in Manila, thank heavens for GrabCar
(and Uber, when it was still alive).

I have always dreaded going to Manila because of taxi drivers who take advantage of people who are clearly not from there by overcharging them. On my most recent trip to Manila, when my buddy had to abandon me post-haste, it was either lock myself in the airbnb or brave the jungles of Manila by myself. Thanks to GrabCar and being able to easily book one (I have always had a difficult time booking one in Cebu), I did not have to worry about opportunistic taxi drivers. I could breathe easy knowing how much I would have to pay for the ride (the amount is shown on the app before booking the ride), and knowing that I will be taken to my destination in one piece (what with all the horrors involving taxis that have popped up on my fb feed).

PS I am clearly not from Manila because of my accent when I speak Tagalog. Hehehe. So if you're Tagalog and you speak to me, don't be offended if I answer you in English or take a long time to answer you in Tagalog—my brain is still trying to convert words to Tagalog.
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Sapporo Accommodation: Grids Sapporo Hotel + Hostel

October 2, 2018, 7:00 pm
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I flew in to New Chitose Airport and made Sapporo my base (taking the shinkansen from Tokyo with a transfer to a limited express train at Hakodate is possible, but would take a total of eight hours), staying in Grids Sapporo Hotel + Hostel for a total of six nights (the other two nights were spent in the city of Asahikawa, some 140 km northeast of Sapporo).

For my one week stay in Hokkaido, I opted to buy a Hokkaido Rail Pass and travel to other towns and cities daily. With the daily commute utilizing JR Lines, it would have been ideal to stay near JR Sapporo Station, but Grids Sapporo Hotel + Hostel, though a 20-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station, won me over for the following reasons:
  • the dorm (one floor for Mixed Dorm, one floor for Female Dorm; 3150 to 4500 yen per night) had spacious capsules (30 capsule spaces for each dorm). The capsule was like my own small room with an outlet (USB and regular power), lamp, coat hook and towel rack, shoe box, safety box, space inside the capsule for a cabin-sized luggage (for large luggage, there is a common luggage area in the dorm room), and a curtain for privacy. The only downside I can think of is that when you arrive, you still have to make your own bed, which sucks if you arrive after a long flight and just want to wash up and then crash in bed. (Private single/double/triple/quad rooms are also available.)
Mixed Dorm (Photo from Grids Sapporo Hotel + Hostel)

  • the dorm shares a number of shower rooms (soap and shampoo provided) and toilets on the same floor. If all shower rooms are in use, there are three more in the reception area on the second floor. 
  • towel is provided and a change of towel is allowed for free for stays of more than three consecutive days (otherwise, it's a 200 yen fee per towel change)
  • breakfast is available for 500 yen (must pay and inform reception a day in advance) and served between 7am to 10am
Breakfast
  • washing machines and dryers (two each) available for a fee (200 yen for washing machine, 100 yen for detergent, 100 yen per 30 minutes for dryer)
  • luggage storage is available (they kept my luggage for me for the two days I was out of town)
  • the hotel can be accessed by elevator up to the 7th floor (the hotel/hostel occupies floors 2 to 8)
  • the hotel is accessible by subway: 4-minute walk from Susukino Subway Station; 6-minute walk from Odori Subway Station
  • Tanukikoji Streetcar stop is just a hop and a skip away
  • bus stop for the airport is just around the corner
  • being located in Tanukikoji shopping street, food was not a problem (it was surrounded by restaurants!)
Early morning quiet at Tanukikoji Shopping Street
  • the hotel is less than 10-minute walk to places I had planned to visit:
    • 300 meters to Odori Park
    • 500 meters to Ramen Yokocho
    • 800 meters to Sapporo Clock Tower
Odori Park and Sapporo TV Tower

Ramen Yokocho

Sapporo Clock Tower (Photo from Hokkaido Guide)

Grids Sapporo Hotel + Hostel
Chuo-ku, Minami 3jo Nishi 5 chome 32, Sapporo
+81 11 252 7415
Book Grids Sapporo Hotel + Hostel through booking.com




Japanese Summer 2018
Hokkaido: Sapporo Accommodation: Grids Sapporo Hotel + Hostel (you're here!)
(more soon)
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See Sapporo: Parks, Towers, Streets

October 4, 2018, 7:00 pm
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Sapporo has an area of 1121 sq. km but I was only able to make time to explore three parks, two towers, a street, and an alley.

大通公園

Odori Park is a 1.5-kilometer park featuring fountains, a playground, open spaces for events (Beer Gardens pop up in Odori Park during summer), green spaces with trees and flower beds, and benches to enjoy this bit of nature in the middle of the city. And on the east end of Odori Park is Sapporo TV Tower, one of Sapporo's well known landmarks.

I did not attempt to see the park from end to end, because it meant I'd have to cross 11 roads. Not that crossing roads in Sapporo is a risk—it isn't (as is the rest of Japan); I was really just too lazy as I was unlucky to be in Japan during its hottest summer in years (Hokkaido experiences mild summers, but the unrelenting heat made its way to this northernmost prefecture)!

Directions to Odori Park: Take the subway (Namboku, Toho, or Tozai Lines) to Odori Station.


9AM to 10PM
Observation Deck Admission Fee 720 yen
(If you want to visit in the morning and in the evening,
you will have to purchase a ticket for every entry.)

Sapporo TV Tower, on the east end of Odori Park, stands 150 meters tall and has an observatory at a height of 90 meters. The observatory affords a view of Odori Park cutting through the concrete jungle.

And if you don't have a watch, just look up at the TV Tower and its enormous digital clock will tell you the time (except after midnight when it is turned off).

Directions to Sapporo TV Tower: Take the subway (Namboku, Toho, or Tozai Lines) to Odori Station.

 Sapporo TV Tower


845AM to 510PM (Last admission at 5PM)
Admission Fee 200 yen
(Closed for renovation until October 31, 2018)

Another Sapporo landmark is the Sapporo Clock Tower which was built in 1878. The clock is a weight-powered pendulum type and is the oldest clock of this type in Japan that still works.

At the time of my visit (July 2018) the Sapporo Clock Tower was undergoing renovation and entirely covered in tarp. Pffttt. (Renovation work is set to be completed on October 31, 2018.)

Directions to Sapporo Clock Tower: Take the subway (Namboku, Toho, or Tozai Lines) to Odori Station, take exit 7 and walk 5 minutes to Sapporo Clock Tower.

Sapporo Clock Tower
Photo by redlegsfan21 (Flickr) CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Clock Tower on Sapporo's manhole cover


Ganso Ramen Yokocho
元祖さっぽろラーメン横丁
Operating hours vary by shop

Sapporo is the birth place of miso ramen, and the best place to eat it is where it all started: Ganso Ramen Yokocho. This alley only had seven ramen shops in 1951. Today the alley has 17 shops.

I went to Ganso Ramen Yokocho for an early dinner and hungry diners hadn't crowded in yet. I just picked one at random and ate miso ramen (800 yen) at 天鳳 (Tenhou). Had I researched, I would have gone back to Ganso Ramen Yokocho and tried the seafood ramen Anthony Bourdain ate at 味の華龍 (Aji no Karyu).

Directions to Ganso Ramen Yokocho: Take the subway (Namboku Line) to Susukino Station. Walk 3 minutes to Ganso Ramen Yokocho.

Ganso Ramen Yokocho

Miso Ramen from 天鳳 Tenhou


Tanukikoji Shopping Street
狸小路商业街

Tanukikoji Shopping Street is a 900-meter long pedestrian-only street, spanning seven chome (blocks). The shopping area is covered (roofed), though some crossings (to get from one block to the other) are not. The shopping street has restaurants, cafes, izakayas, souvenir shops, tea shops, a huge Don Quijote store, and even accommodations—like Grids Sapporo Hotel + Hostel, which is where I stayed in Sapporo.

And because it is called Tanukikoji, there are tanuki (Japanese raccoon dog) figures everywhere. Even a shrine!

Directions to Tanukikoji Shopping Street: Take the subway (Namboku Line) to Susukino Station. Walk 3 minutes to Tanukikoji Shopping Street. If you're anywhere near a streetcar stop, you can take the Sapporo Streetcar to Tanukikoji stop.

Tanukikoji early in the morning.
When shops open, and especially at night, the place gets really crowded!


9AM to 6PM (Last admission at 5PM)
Admission Fee 600 yen (Free until end of March 2019)

Shiroi Koibito Park is home of the Ishiya Chocolate Factory, which, to my mind, is the Japanese counterpart of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. In the park is a rose garden and European-looking buildings which house the chocolate factory, a candy lab (see how candy is made!), a cafe, and a souvenir/sweet shop. In the chocolate factory, one can see the production line of Shiroi Koibito, their famous white chocolate cookie.

The production line was under renovation at the time of my visit (July 2018) so admission fee was waived. I just explored inside a bit where I saw a small exhibit about Ishiya and about chocolate, and a collection of tea cups. Outside, while queueing to buy their soft ice cream (really delicious), I witnessed a musical show of mechanical figures coming out of the building towers.

Grand reopening is scheduled on June 2019.

Directions to Shiroi Koibito Park: Take the subway (Tozai Line) to Miyanosawa Station. Walk 7 minutes to Shiroi Koibito Park.

 Shiroi Koibito Park

A collection of tea cups

Rose garden



Soft ice cream


モエレ沼公園
East Entrance 7AM to 10PM (last admission at 9PM)
Free admission

From a waste disposal site in 1977 to a beautiful green park in 2005 up to the present, this is Moerenuma Park. This wide open space is covered in a carpet of grass with man-made hills, sculptures, fountains, play areas, and a glass pyramid.

I went to Moerenuma Park and was in awe of all the green around me. I wanted to take off my shoes and walk around the park's carpet of grass barefoot! But I didn't. Instead, I climbed Play Mountain where I enjoyed the 360-degree view while the wind blew my hair hither and thither.

It is a very relaxing park, perfect for picnics, and walking barefoot on the grass. And maybe even rolling down the hills!

Directions to Moerenuma Park: Take the subway (Toho Line) to Kanjodori-Higashi Station. Then take bus 69 or 79 to Moerenuma Koen Higashi-guchi モエレ沼公園東口 (210 yen, 25 minutes).

Doesn't this make you want to take off your shoes and walk around barefoot?
The glass pyramid "Hidamari"
Music Shell (left), and Tetra Mound with a height of 13 meters (right)
The view from on top of Play Mountain, a height of 30 meters

62-meter tall man-made Mt. Moere

It was very windy up here!

Tip: If you plan to use the Sapporo subway (there are three subway lines, namely Namboku, Toho, or Tozai Lines) multiple times in one day, you might want to obtain a Subway 1-Day Pass which costs 830 yen. On weekends, holidays, and from December 29 to January 3, the cheaper Donichika Ticket (520 yen) is available.


Other places I did not get a chance to see (reasons for me to go back to Sapporo):




Japanese Summer 2018
See Sapporo: Parks, Towers, Streets (you're here!)
(more soon)
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What's in a (Business) Name? Seoul (Again), South Korea

October 29, 2018, 7:00 pm
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Wisdom from the Road #69

October 31, 2018, 7:00 pm
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On "Filipino time"
It's not funny anymore.
Be considerate of other people's time.

Whoever you had agreed to meet with at a specified time, they made an effort to be there on or before the agreed time. And you leave your house 30 minutes after the agreed time because 6am is "just the assembly time"? It's not funny. It's inconsiderate.
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Free Upgrade on GPSmyCity

November 25, 2018, 6:00 pm
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The GPSmyCity team has gathered thousands of travel articles and city guides written by travelers like you and me and have put all these travel information in one app. With the GPSmyCity app installed on your smartphone, whether iOS or Android, you have the world on the palm of your hand.

The GPSmyCity app can be used offline, therefore, you can read the articles and use the guides without the need to be on roaming or renting a pocket WiFi or data SIM. You can go on a tour at your own pace. By accessing (for a minimal upgrade fee) the GPS-aided map, the places mentioned in the guide will be pinned on the map, tour routes will be displayed, and turn-by-turn directions between places will be provided. No need for paper maps!


I have been contributing articles in the GPSmyCity app and I am happy to announce I have a bunch chosen by the GPSmyCity Team for publishing:
To celebrate the release of this batch of articles on GPSmyCity, the upgrade (to access its GPS-aided map) to the following article apps will be given away for FREE from November 26 to December 2, 2018!
Please click on the link (or links) that interest you and try it out! (If you haven't already downloaded and installed the GPSmyCity app, it will prompt you to do so.)
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What's in a (Business) Name? Busan (Again), South Korea

November 29, 2018, 6:00 pm
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