Day 7 Friday
1
Early morning we managed to see another impressive city park called Nakazima Park
before leaving Sapporo.
It was drizzling when we got out the hotel.
Rain seemed to close the gap between me and the outer world cozily.
I found a dozen Chinese tourists were standing holding umbrellas looking across the lake
absorbing serene early morning ambience.
It was indeed beautiful to look at the lake where rain drops made a calming picture.
I had this prejudice that most tourists woke late and focused on relaxing and shopping.
But some people obviously put more efforts trying to see and feel more.
We followed a path along the lake which was at the centre of the park and it eventually led us to come back
at the point we started.
I was not prepared what to expect from Sapporo city parks.
In the busy city these Japanese parks surprisingly made me feel calmed and peaceful.
Almost the same effects I could have got as if I was in the woods.
Several people passed the park on the way to work after those tourists gone.
What a good way to start your working day!
Regrettably we had to come back to hotel away from this mysteriously beautiful place.
2.
We were moving to Niseko today and dropping at Jozankei Onsen complex on the way.
Jozankei Onsen complex was typically situated in the heart of a deep forest along with affluent streams.
Rain was on and off all day.
We had a short walk in the bush around the Onsen complex during which we were lucky not to
be caught in the rain.
Beautiful forest was at the later stage of autumn foilages in the pleasantly cool temperature.
We were confronted with huge crowds at the trailhead but soon people lost their interests in walking.
Well tended bush paths lost people quickly except us.
3
We drove on and arrived at Niseko.
Our hotel in Niseko seemed very conveniently located for skiers.
Encompassing Mt Yotei and Annupuri ranges.
I saw a ski gondola station next to hotel and recalled places like this
such as Bright or Jindabyne in Australia.
We were here mainly for the Mt Yotei hike.
I learned later that this mountain was considered as Mt Fuji in Hokkaido.
We fell in love with our hotel instantly.
Staff in this hotel spoke English well so we didn't have any communication problem.
Facility was new and modern.
Everything was clean.
I shared a super comfy king bed with Suze and Eddie slept on a futon bed in the living area.
Foor Eddie!
At least he had a peaceful good sleep he assured me later.
In our room we had a well equipped kitchen which contained a coffee machine and a dish washer too.
On top of that I happily used a washing machine during our 2 days' stay.
They provided us with 3 sets of more comfy combination of tops and trousers instead of yukata.
I enjoyed wearing it as a pj and as before I found it practical wearing it to Onsen and even to breakfast.
Except two days in Sapporo during our total 10 days in Japan we indulged ourselves in hot spring twice a day
everyday.
Before we called it a day we had a chance to see another magnificent park called Fukidashi Park.
It was at the foot of Mt Yotei from where honey sweet spring water flew all year round and made a stunningly beautiful
park again.
Japanese parks I'd seen so far were all amazingly and memorably beautiful and nature friendly.
