kinako-anko
2020.10.30 (Day 1) to 10.31 (Day 2) Sapporo and Noboribetsu GOTO Trip Part 5: I decided on a sudden solo trip to Hokkaido for 2 nights and 3 days, using JAL mileage, GoTo Travel, and regional coupons for a cheap and cost-effective food tour in Sapporo and sightseeing in Noboribetsu. Departed Kansai Airport at 4:00 p.m., arrived at New Chitose Airport in 1 hour and 50 minutes, and reached Sapporo Station in 35 minutes by JR Rapid Airport. I arrived at the "JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo," which is directly connected to the station, at 7:00 p.m. The plan I booked through Rakuten Travel was a Moderate Single Room on a high floor for 20,574 yen (including tax and service charge) with breakfast included, an early booking discount, a Rakuten point discount of 1,025 yen, and a GoTo Travel discount of 7,200 yen, totaling 12,349 yen. Additionally, I received 3,000 yen worth of regional coupons, so I was able to stay for less than 10,000 yen. I checked in at the front desk on the 1st floor and entered my room on the 22nd floor, which had one double bed and a bathroom, offering a slightly luxurious business-type room with a beautiful night view of Sapporo centered around the station. Since the weather forecast for the 3rd day was not favorable, I made significant changes to tomorrow's itinerary by calling the car rental company and then took the Sapporo Municipal Subway Nanboku Line for 2 stops to Susukino, Hokkaido's largest entertainment district, where I arrived for the first time in 2 years. With Hokkaido facing a third wave of the new coronavirus, especially in the entertainment district, I had to be careful. For dinner, I chose "Daruma Main Store" and enjoyed "Genghis Khan" while drinking "draft beer." I also indulged in "miso ramen" at the nearby "Menya Yukikaze Susukino Store," and my stomach was about to burst (sweat). Originally, I planned to return to the hotel early and enjoy a cocktail at "SKY J" on the 35th floor while overlooking Sapporo's night view, but both places had long lines, and I missed the last order at the bar. Instead, I stopped by "The Nikka Bar" near Susukino intersection for the first time in 6 years and enjoyed "Taketsuru 21 Year Pure Malt" on the rocks. I returned to the hotel after 11:30 p.m., took a shower, and went to bed immediately, sleeping soundly on the spacious bed. I woke up at 7:00 a.m. the next morning. It seemed that heavy rain fell during the night, and the roads were wet, with dark clouds looming outside the window. However, the weather forecast said it would improve. I had breakfast at 8:00 a.m. at the hotel's 35th-floor restaurant "Sky Restaurant Tendo," where I had a Japanese set meal for 3,080 yen (including tax and service charge). Despite not feeling hungry at all after the previous night's Genghis Khan, the beautifully arranged dishes were too tempting, and I ended up finishing everything. I will write more details about this in the next review. From 9:00 a.m., I had a café time at "The Lobby Lounge" on the 1st floor of the hotel. I had a Blue Mountain (siphon style) for 1,400 yen and an apple pie for 700 yen (including tax and service charge). I entered as soon as the café opened, and I was the only customer, so I had the place to myself and could relax leisurely. I used 2,000 yen worth of Hokkaido regional coupons, and I will write more details about this in the next two reviews. I checked out of the hotel before 10:00 a.m. and headed to New Chitose Station after getting some souvenirs at JR Sapporo Station. In the afternoon, I went sightseeing in Noboribetsu with a rental car. Bon appétit! (●^o^●)