KURATABI

Luckily, I booked the tickets for a bullet train to Hakodate for 50% off in the winter sale, so I planned to take a trip to Hakodate. In Friday evening, I finished my work early and went to Sendai station.

I tried Zunda (sweetened mashed green soybeans) shake for my first time when I was waiting for the train.

It took 2 and a half hours to get to Hakodate by bullet train. I made the new embroidery pattern and was working on it while on a train. I made the flowers look like snow using French knot stitch.

After passing by Shin-Aomori Station, the train announcement changed from Tohoku Shinkansen to Hokkaido Shinkansen. When I arrived at Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station, I saw snow on the ground. The train entered Seikan Tunnel, which connects the main land and Hokkaido island.

It was my first time coming to Hakodate. There was some snow on the ground around the station. The scene of trams running in the street made me feel nostalgic.

I finished checking in at the hotel. There were many bars around Goryokaku, where my hotel was located, but that night I felt like having something warm and bought Oden in a convenience store. Definetely, I needed Sake with Oden.

Meeting a flower shop in the exotic town

Next morning, I got sightseeing brochures at the reception. I found this lovely snow Miku on the cover.

First, I went to Jujigai Station by tram. There were many old buildings in the city, and it was very interesting to walk around. I visited some churches that day.

Around the Motomachi area, there are 3 churches: the Catholic church, the Protestant church, and the Orthodox church. Even though they share the same Christian religion, they have different architecture and atmosphere.

Hakodate (and Hokkaido) is deeply connected with Rossia, and it is one of the reasons why Hakodate has an Orthodox church. I went to a Russian restaurant near the church for lunch.

Piroshki (venison inside), chicken stroganoff, and kefir. It was my first experience eating Russian cuisine. This Piroshki was not fried, and was good since it didn't have a gamy smell.

Before I came to the church, I found a lovely flower shop. After lunch, I visited this place. I told the shop owner that I was here for vacation, and he recommended me the Persian buttercup from Hakodate.

I didn't have a vase, so put the flowers on the glass equipped with the room. I didn't have the idea to buy flowers when I traveled so far, but I found it nice to add flowers to my hotel room's decor.

Reading on a snowy Sunday, Christmas illuminations

On Sunday, it had been snowing since the night before. I was thinking of climbing Hakodate Mountain if it was sunny, but soon after I got up, I found it almost impossible to do so in this snow and wind.

I didn't have any plans to go out, and when I strolled around the Muji store, I found the book by Hanamori Yasuji, who first published the lifestyle magazine "Kurashi no Techo". I bought the book and read at the Starbucks underfloor.

After finishing reading, I returned to the hotel to rest for a moment. On my way to the hotel, I bought cheese omelets at Snaffles, the local pastry in Hakodate. The cake was really light, and I felt like I could eat a lot.

I was working on embroidery with cheese omelets.

I visited the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse at night to see the Christmas illuminations. The brick buildings and trees were covered with snow, and with the illuminations, it was a very beautiful night.

I had a craft beer at the beer hall in the warehouse.

I ordered the foil-baked potato with salted squid. The potato was very soft and delicious. Why does Hokkaido have so much good food?

When I left the warehouse, it stopped snowing. I wanted to see the cityscape covered with snow, so took a night walk for a bit.

I remember the sound and feeling when I stepped on the new snow. No one else was walking in the street, and somehow I felt left behind.

I arrived at the tram station, and after the while, some people joined in the line. When waiting for the tram, it started snowing again.