Ferry and Sapporo Brewery

My parents, some friends, and I all went to Sapporo for the Sapporo Snow Festival. Sapporo is located on Hokkaido, the island just north of us on the main island. There are a several ways to reach Hokkaido, we chose to go via ferry. The ferry like all Japan adventures is interesting and fun! We weren't sure how full it would be with the Snow Festival going on (in 2007 about 2 million people attended the snow festival) so we made advance reservation (through Misawa ITT), I think this was not necessary the ferry was pretty empty, although some other people that went had different ferry experiences... It was only a 7 hour ride... overnight... but just in case you HAVE to shower it did have an onsen!!!! 

Hachinohe Ferry Onsen

An Onsen is a public bath... I was able to sneak a picture since noone had gotten in yet... There are the little shower areas where you wash off first then everyone goes and soaks in the pool of water behind. I think the Onsens are going to be what I miss the most about Japan. Most onsens including this one are only Male or Female but there are some that are co-ed. The nicer onsens have multiple baths of different temperatures, including cold baths, many have outdoor baths which are awesome in the snow, and some even have specialty baths... like wine... or coffee.. or natural sulfur water. 

View of Hachinohe Ferry Terminal... from the ferry 

 We drove to Hachinohe (1 hr) to take the ferry to Tomakamai (7 hr), and then a bus to Sapporo (2 hr). My parents wanted a private room so we got a first class room, that comes with four beds to a room, a sitting area, green tea, pajamas, and toothbrushes. Some of our friends however got the 2nd class room with bed, which was also really nice, there were 18 people to a room but only 4 beds were in each little section and they all had privacy curtains. The third ferry option is the tatami mat room... thats what I did over the summer, for pictures of our summer Hokkaido trip click HERE.

2nd class room with bed on Hachinohe Ferry

There is a bit to do in Sapporo besides the snow festival (which is next on the blog agenda) including... a brewery and chocolate factory. The Sapporo Brewery founded in 1876 is located in... Sapporo... shocking I know. They have a museum, tasting area and a restaurant.

Sapporo Brewery 

And even though I hate beer, I figured I had to have at least one... since I was in Sapporo and all... so I got a Sapporo Beer... it was gross... but they gave me cheese too so I was happy!

Sapporo Brewery Tasting 

After my super awesome beer (not) we went next door to the restaurant for a bite to eat. The buildings of the brewery were really pretty... especially at night. 

Sapporo Brewery Restaurant 

The restaurant was Yakiniku style... which means it served raw meat and veggies with grills in the middle of the table and you cook the food to your liking... dip it... and eat it! Delish!!!! Kendall and I had lamb and mixed veggies. 

Yakiniku 

Not only did we have a delishous Yakiniku dinner at the Sapporo Brewery... we were also serenaded! This guys was busting it out! This picture also shows the whole atmosphere of the restaurant, low light, kinda smoky from everyone burning thier food... it was cool!

Piano Accordionist at Sapporo Brewery 

And a final shot of the Brewery before we headed back to our Ryoken.

Sapporo Brewery