Hokkaido 2013 13-20 Dec (Day 2)

We checked out in the morning after staying 1 night at the ryokan (hot spring hotel). We were to head to the ski resort and en route, we'll be visiting a few places. 

It was snowing heavily. One thing I forgot to mention was when we arrived in Hokkaido, it wasn't snowing. There was snow everywhere because it snowed heavily the previous night. Today, it was snowing heavily again. My 1st heavy snowfall :)

View from hotel lobby

Our 1st stop for the day, Jigoku Valley or Hell Valley, a volcanic crater near the hotel. There was sulphur smell in the air as we approached the crater. As it was snowing heavily, the whole crater was white and couldn't really make out what it was.

Facts: 
The onsen in the Noboribetsu area is one of Hokkaido's best-known hot springs. It has over 10 different kinds of water containing minerals such as hydorgen sulfide, salt and iron. The quality of these minerals results in the spa being ranked among the world's most exceptional hot springs. The valley is a 450m diameter mouth of a volcano, which produces 3,000 litres of hot water a day.

The crater

Everyone was just looking at the crater and went back to their vehicles due to the heavy snowfall. But we kiasu Singaporeans must make the best use of the time and decided to venture further in as our guide told us that it is more beautiful further upslope. We were rewarded for our "hard work". It was beautiful with fresh snow covering the grounds and nobody was there to wreck the sight.

Steps all covered with snow

Beautiful sight.

 After a quick round of photo taking we returned to our vehicle as the snow was getting heavier. Going downhill was slippery, so it was a good thing that we invested in our Timberlands

See the heavy snowfall. Captured this scene of the souvenir shop at Hell's Valley

 Next stop is Mt Usu Ropeway.

Fact:
This is a volcano which has erupted 4 times in the past 100 years. Its most recent eruption occured in 2000. The Usuzan ropeway brings you closer to the volcano's summit. The upper station's observation deck offers panoramic views of Lake Toya and neighbouring Showa Shinzan. From a 2nd observation deck a short walk away, there are views of the ocean and Mt Usu's largest crater, which was formed in an eruption in 1977.


 Sadly, we were unable to take the cable car due to the heavy snowfall and gusty winds. We then changed the itinerary to go to a bear zoo.

You can buy biscuits from dispensers to feed the bears. When the bears see human beings, they will beg for food and wait in anticipation for you to throw them biscuits. They will bring both their front paws together and wave at you, so cute.

See the bear on the left standing up and begging for food

After a short visit there, we proceeded to Lake Hill Farm for lunch and... ice cream.

Lake Hill Farm is a dairy farm. The picture below shows a vast field of white snow. In non-winter months, it will be lush green fields with cows grazing

Field of white snow

Inside the restaurant it was nice and warm. We had simple lunch, Jap curry with rice, Jap stew with rice. Followed by dessert of an ice cream cone.

The children meanwhile enjoyed themselves with the guide bringing them a sled and pulling them around. Such a nice winter sight.

Our minibus

After lunch, we proceeded on to our ski resort, Rusutsu Resort

This is a huge resort with 3 wings, North, South and Tower. You even have to take a monorail to get to Rusutsu Tower. 

Where do I even begin to describe Rusutsu Resort. In that its huge, with shopping mall, a few ski slopes, indoor amusement park, many restaurants offering Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese cuisines, local fast food chains, pubs, onsen, ski school, indoor wave pool, function halls, gymnasium hall, musical fountain, etc.

See the beautiful view from my room.

Breakfast and dinner were provided and we were given vouchers to dine at the restaurants. We could have our choice of which restaurants and the food would be set meals, which were very filling.

Before dinner, we went for a fitting and got all our ski gears. Goggles, beanie, waterproof jacket and pants, ski boots, skis, sticks (is that what you call it?). Everything was placed in the locker having the same number as your room. Cool.

After that, we proceeded for dinner. On this 1st night, we tried the Japanese restaurant.

Children's set meal

Next few pics would be the adult set meal: 

Appetizer

Sashimi

Salad

Some paste thingy to be cooked in the stew below

Seafood stew

Rice with sashimi

Baked crab

Finale: where they add rice and egg into your unfinished stew and make rice porridge.

We were bursting after our meal.

Initially wanted to go try the onsen but I think the pressure exerted on my tummy in the water would probably force all the wonderful food "Merlion-ing" out. Pass

Better to take a walk around the resort and take pictures.

Outside the resort by the ski slopes

Indoor carousel

A carriage

Had an early night as we are having ski lessons tomorrow. Yippee.

(Note: all photos taken by HTC One X. Tried to use a camera but the effects weren't as nice as my mobile phone)