Hokkaido 8 days plan during Winter - Part 1

Day 3 - T JR TRAIN to Noboribetsu (7:30am, 8:30am) 2.45 hours - Super Hakuto - We took a taxi to Date Jidaimura Noboribetsu 登別伊達時代村 0900-1600 (Adults - 2900, Child - 1500) from Noboribetsu train station - not much to play here, but a different experience for me - We then checked in hotel, and walk out again to the Jigokudani (Hell Valley) 登別地獄谷, Walk around Noboribetsu Onsen dori Yuzawa Shrine 湯澤神社, 閻魔堂, - We had dinner buffet and onsen back in the hotel. Very nice hotel to recommend indeed Day 4 - After breakfast in the hotel, took a taxi to the train station and headed to Sapporo Station (as early as possible) - in Sapporo station, we look for the luggage locker to put our luggage and then headed to Yoichi Station - Yoichi - short walking distance to the Yoichi Nikka Distrillery - ニッカウヰスキー 北海道工場 余市蒸溜所, Japan, 〒046-0003 Hokkaido, 余市郡余市町黒川町7−６(with FREE sampling) and we had our lunch here. - after lunch, we took JR Train To Otaru Minami Station (the train to otaru is an hour apart, plan your time well to catch the train, always crowded here during winter), Walk along two rows of shops to Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building 小樽オルゴール堂, Marchen Square, Le Tao Main store (cheese tart), 小樽 水天宮, Kitaichi Glass Otaru（北一硝子), Yukijirushi Parlor Otaru Shop 雪印パーラー 小樽店 (ice cream), Otaru Canal 小樽運河 (night view) - JR Train from Otaru Station to Sapporo (every 30 mins)

Very beautiful, crafted glassware of anything. Visit to just admire or select as souvenier/gifts. Bought some non-drip bottles for sauces. Requested shop to deliver to our hotel in Sapporo. Received items in perfect condition and all carefully wrapped. #GiveThanks

Hokkaido Kitaichi Glass - Encounter the Splendor of Glassware

"Glass" in Japanese means glass, and it is also a famous specialty of Otaru. Among the many shops in Otaru that deal in glassware, Kitaichi Glass has the longest history. Nowadays, there are several Kitaichi Glass shops and art galleries in the Sakaimachi-dori area of Otaru, where you can freely visit, choose crafts, and even experience the joy of glassmaking yourself. Upon arriving at Sakaimachi-dori, you will see many Kitaichi Glass shops on both sides of the street. Nearby, there is the Kitaichi Glass Studio where you can watch the glassmaking process, as well as the Kitaichi Venetian Art Museum that displays Italian glass art and aristocratic culture. Among so many shops, the most famous is the Kitaichi Glass No. 3 Pavilion. The store itself is a retro transformation of a stone warehouse building from the Meiji period and European-style architecture. The glassware in Pavilion No. 3 is categorized and each has its own characteristics, with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand yen. I believe you will definitely find the right one for yourself! Glass blowing viewing hours are 9:30-16:30 Closed on Tuesdays Painted glass bead viewing hours are 9:30-17:30 Closed on Thursdays. Walking south on Sakaimachi-dori, there is a Kitaichi Glass outlet, which is a discount store selling discontinued items, reissues of popular products, and slightly flawed items at more affordable prices, where you can find some great deals. If you are interested in Italian glass art, you might want to walk north of Pavilion No. 3 to see the Kitaichi Venetian Art Museum. In this five-story European-style building, permanent exhibitions display 17th and 18th-century European aristocratic clothing, daily necessities, etc., Museum admission is 700 yen, Opening hours are 8:45-18:00 (entry stops at 17:30). There are also European court costume experience activities, Furthermore, about 1.2 kilometers west of Kitaichi Glass No. 3 Pavilion is the Kitaichi Glass Garden Shop (Address: 1-6-10 Hanazono, Otaru City), where you can participate in a glass engraving experience and create your own unique glass cup. Experience hours are 10:30-16:30, The cost starts at 2250 yen, and the whole process takes about 1-2 hours. Additionally, there are simple experiences in making small items such as jewelry, The cost starts at 470 yen. How to get there: 1️⃣Bus: Take the JR to Minami-Otaru Station and walk for about 10 minutes to reach Kitaichi Glass No. 3 Pavilion, and about 20 minutes to reach Kitaichi Glass Garden Shop. 2️⃣Take the JR to Otaru Station and walk for about 20 minutes to reach Kitaichi Glass No. 3 Pavilion, and about 7 minutes to reach Kitaichi Glass Garden Shop.