My family and I spent a glorious autumn vacation, 1-8 November 2026, in Hokkaido, Japan. As my kids are now working adults, it’s hard to coordinate family vacations. But hey, we take what little time off we can get.
Any time spent with the loving Family is appreciated Quality time!
As for me, I’m happy to end this “interesting” year right by visiting a Zen Japanese island amidst a clean, cool, gorgeous autumn season.
The Hokkaido vacation was Cool (spent in autumn season), Warm (spent with my family), and Cold (it snowed on one day).
Hokkaido is famous for its milk, ice cream, fresh sea food, great shopping, and awesome nature. We ticked all the boxes.
Like the Godzilla Minus Zero movie, which launched the week we were in Hokkaido, we explored both the Nature and Urban consciousness of Hokkaido.
Me and my family first went to wintry Hokkaido in 2010. See below pix.
The Snow Mobile Gang (above image). My “Easy Rider” helmeted kids are now up to my height.
I Go Where The Zen Is (above image). Otaru town.
I like to think that I’m a Traveller, not a Tourist. I like to get lost and intentionally explore the less beaten paths, eat funky local food at quirky restaurants (always with long waiting lines), take public transport (bus and train) and interact casually with the locals.
Lake Toya (above image).
“Weighing The Odds” (above image). I love that my Schott X Lucky Brand collab motorcycle jacket keeps me warm from the cold.
“Winter Amidst Autumn” (above image). This image nicely summarised our Hokkaido trip, we went there for the rich, warm, and earthy autumn colours but also enjoyed a day of glorious white snow. A nice bonus.
Snow Sushi (above image).
Mount Yotei (above image). Majestic.
“Heart” Cloud (above image). Hokkaido has the most gorgeous clouds and blue skies.
1) Odori Park, Sapporo – Friday, 6 November 2026 – Golden Autumn Hue (above image). The day before the snowfall.
2) Odori Park, Sapporo – Saturday, 7 November 2026 – White Winter Hue (above image). My family indulged in a brief and fun snowball fight.
Sapporo Beer Museum Building (above image).
Sapporo Beer Museum Building (above image).
Sapporo Beer Museum Barrels Greets Visitors (above image).
Brewing Vats At Sapporo Beer Museum (above image). I’ve been on grand brewery tours around the world – Carlsberg (Copenhagen , Denmark), Guiness (Dublin), Heineken (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Budweiser (St. Louis, Missouri). Miller (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Tiger & Anchor (Singapore). Now I will savour my Sapporo beer even more so.
Exclusive Sapporo Five Star Beer (above image). Served only at the Sapporo Beer Garden.
Exclusive Sapporo Five Star Beer (above image). The Traveller goes loco (local). Always game to try local liquid cuisines that are exclusive and exquisite.
Tower Records Store (above image). At Ario Shopping Mall, next to the Sapporo Beer Museum. Do read my “Tower Records Sapporo” blog.
My Tower Records Retail Therapy (above image). Happy to see my long-lost music friend. “Only in Japan” takes on a poignant mening.
Otaru Town (above image). So awesome and quaint, we went there twice this trip.
Showa-shinzan Bear Ranch (above image). Me thinks the Ussuri brown bear wants to give me a cuddly hug. He thinks I’m his lunch.
Tanuki Koji Shopping Street (above image). Grand pedestrian-only shopping landmark in Sapporo, dating back to 1873, spanning roughly one kilometer of shopping and food delight, covering over seven blocks.
Iconic Sapporo TV Tower (above image). I’ve been up the Effiel Tower in Paris, up the CN Tower in Toronto. No surprise I went up this tower too.
Iconic Sapporo TV Tower, View From My Hotel Room Window (above image). Situated one kilometre away from my hotel. My family use that as a landmark to make our way back to our hotel.
Kitaichi Glass Coffee House (above image). In Otaru town. Chanced upon this architectural treasure by accident. Had a wonderful lunch there with the wife when we returned to Otaru a few days later.
Nijo Fish Market, Sapporo (above image).
Fresh Giant Crab Claws (above image). At a Nijo Fish Market restaurant. Yes, the wait was long.
Octopus (above image). At Nijo Fish Market.
Hamburger Soup Curry (above image). We usually ate at highly recommended restaurants, where the wait was usually around half an hour, or some times longer. But it was always worth the wait.
Delicious Beef Omelette (above image). A gastronomic work of Art.
7-11 Oden Spread (above image). I usually get some of these goodies for my supper back at the hotel room, every time I’m in Japan. To end the day right. A Happy Meal indeed!
Road-Side Coffee Ice Cream Crepe In Crispy Cold Air (above image).
Supermarket Japanese Liquid Splendour (above image). Ichiban sugar rush!
Public Transport (above image).
“The Revelation For Noah’s Ark” Sculpture (above image). At Lake Toya.
“Big Time” Thrift Shop (above image). Iconic thrift shop, selling mostly used Americana-styled attires.
Lamp Light Books Hotel (above image). Somehow reminded me of the beatnik/hippie hangout bookstore, City Lights Bookstore, in San Francisco. Had a iced latte at Lamp Light, while waiting for my family to arrive to grab some dinner.
Tote Bags – Tower Records and Lamp Light Books Hotel (above image). “Wear The Music” indeed. Fond mementos of a lovely vacation.
Godzilla Minus Zero Movie Relentless Advertisements And Product Promotions Campaign (above image).
Uniqlo T-Shirt (above image). Hokkaido exclusive.
Vans Kabuki T-Shirts (above image). From Sapporo factory outlet. Japan exclusive. I needed the Black as well as the White versions.
Oakley Samurai T-shirt (above image). From Sapporo factory outlet. Japan exclusive.
Karl Marx Hoodie nd Shirt (above image). I have seen an abundance of Chairman Mao, Che Guevara and Ho Chi Minh pop culture T-shirts. A Karl Marx collaboration with Sour Cream? Resistence is futile. Going at 50% discount, the dirty deed is done.
Kapital Boro Spring 1st Jacket (above image). 195,800 Yen! Tried it on but didn’t take out my YouTrip card. Check out my Boro-style over-shirt. I didn’t need another Boro attire, especially an expensive one..
Bucket Hats (above image). Kapital and Sapporo Beer.
My Hokkaido Vacation Souvenir “Godzilla Minus Zero” Fridge Magnet (above image). After being bombarded (movie pun) by massive, relentless movie advertisements and product promotions whilst in Hokkaido, I was compelled to watch the movie. T watched Godzilla Minus Zero IMAX Movie the day after my return to Singapore. A great Japanese-production epic, go watch it.
If you need a nice rejuvenating therapy from world turbulence, do head to Hokkaido.
