Sapporo Food: Butadon
Pigs and pork are supposedly a big Tokachi region thing (this dish originating from Obihiro city specifically), and eventually became a Hokkaido thing in general (actually, the Tokachi region seems to be famous for quite a lot of things, but I suppose that’s a different story). From what I heard, a restaurant in Obihiro invented…
Sapporo/Shiraoi/Otaru Diaries: National Ainu Museum
This year, Sports Day lands on October 14th, which means we get a 3-day weekend in October. Huzzah! This time around, I wanted to use the opportunity to visit Upopoy, the National Ainu Museum. If anyone plans on going, I highly recommend reserving your tickets to Shiraoi in advance! October 12th: Originally I was going…
Yoichi Diaries: Thai Food and Chill with Friend
On October 5th, I went out to Yoichi to meet up with my friend for a casual lunch date! Apparently there’s this Thai cafe in town, and it’s pretty good, so I was down to hang out for some good food. I arrived at 12:15, and we nmade our way to the resturant. Along the…
Aomori/Hirosaki Diaries: Apples Galore
Right after a three day weekend, we have another three day weekend in September! This time, Sunday the 22nd is the Autumnal Equinox, but because it’s a Sunday, we get the Monday off in exchange. I took this opportunity to make a short trip to Aomori, because I love apple treats. September is also apple…
Sapporo/Asahikawa/Otaru Diaries: Sapporo Pride and Food Festivals
September 14th to the 16th this year was a three day weekend, as the 16th was a public holiday, Respect for the Elderly Day. Originally I had plans to just chill in Sapporo, hang out, and check out the annual Pride and Autumn Festival every September, but I heard that a friend from Fukuoka was…
Otaru Diaries: Otaru Anime Party
On September 7th, I went to Otaru to go attend the annual Otaru Anime Party! I’ve heard about it the past couple of years, but I either had other plans, didn’t seem super up my alley, or no one else I knew was going. This year I decided to finally go see it, and some…
Sapporo Diaries: Summer Seasonals and China Festival
On August 31st, I went out for a casual day-trip to Sapporo to catch some of the last remaining summer seasonal treats, and run some shopping errands. September’s just about to start, which means all the fall festivities are coming soon, along with two long weekends, and new fall foods. First thing after getting off…
Sapporo Diaries: Gelato, Nakajima Boat Ride, and Saying Farewell
On August 17th, I went out to hang in Sapporo with a couple friends. One of them is leaving Hokkaido for good, and so I was very grateful she arranged the hangout so we could see each other for the last time in a while. Originally, I was not planning on being in Sapporo so…
Taipei Diaries: Jiufen, Raohe Night Market, and Yongkang Street
Here’s the last part of my August Taiwan adventures! August 13th: It was time to bring my friend to Jiufen, because as a first-time Japanese tourist to Taiwan, you must go to live out your Spirited Away dreams. She also wanted to go to Shifen to set off the lanterns, so I planned to stop…
Taipei Diaries: Exploring Tainan, Taichung, and Taipei 101
Continuing on with Part 2 of my August 2024 Taiwan adventures! We head to Tainan to meet up with my cousin, explore Taichung, and then chill at Taipei 101 for a magical Din Tai Fung experience. August 10th: Because we wanted to maximize our time in Tainan, we had reserved our shinkansen/high speed rail train…