Japan Hokkaido 2022 Autumn
In 2022 October, when Japan just released the restriction of Covid, I decided to travel to Hokkaido with family for 12 days. Originally, I intended to just a flash trip to Tokyo for Martha Argerich's chamber concert but we ended up this incredible trip to Hokkaido. Everything of itinerary was settled down shortly. We landed Tokyo and took transfer flight to Asahikawa (not CTS Airport). At that time, there was still no direct flight to Hokkaido. We started our journey at Biei then Furano and Higashikawa before we moved to southern region.
I remembered very well my first omakase lunch at a remote off-the-beaten-path, tranquil forest-surrounding restaurant which is managed by a lovely couple. You can not reach there by any public transport, only with your car. For our case, since we did not drive, we booked the transfer service. On the way, we enjoyed picturesque landscape. We booked this restaurant "Staple" in advance. Below is our table overviewing the nature outdoor. What an amazing dining experience!
The service was very warm and welcoming. The food is out of this world. Unlike anything you could imagine, they are unique! One of the most memorable meal I ever have. After the lunch, we kept exploring the beautiful Biei landscape. And it does not disappoint.
There are many famous trees along the way, we took some amazing shots against beautiful lights.
There are many famous trees along the way, we took some amazing shots against beautiful lights.
One of the most anticipated accommodation is the Spoon Valley Sawazawa Village スプウン谷のザワザワ村
Fairy-tale like cottage with very dreamy frost in the morning and magical twilight. This sought-after place was very difficult to book as they only have 5 cottages and communication was hard as I don't understand Japanese... But I feel so lucky to successfully make the reservation. I love its village lifestyle and they provide their homemade dinner and breakfast. So charming. Everything was so beautiful.
Fairy-tale like cottage with very dreamy frost in the morning and magical twilight. This sought-after place was very difficult to book as they only have 5 cottages and communication was hard as I don't understand Japanese... But I feel so lucky to successfully make the reservation. I love its village lifestyle and they provide their homemade dinner and breakfast. So charming. Everything was so beautiful.
I brought with my sigma 20mm f1.4 dg dn art and Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II as well as Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 A056. The flower shot was taken with sigma at f1.4. Look at the bokeh which is just so dreamy and lovely.
It was a cold morning with frost everywhere outside our cottage. The sun was just so amazing shining at our bedroom.
The dinner was also homemade rustic style. Love that!
The breakfast was so amazing with homemade pudding bread. So so yummy!
We joined a stargazing tour at this cottage. Super impressive. The guide took us to the seven star tree and the Milky Way at there was just so stunning. I of course took the sigma 20mm f1.4 dg dn art and set at f1.4 and one of the benefits is the manual focus lock. It was very handy feature for night sky photography. Iso were 800 and 15s exposure. I'm so excited for the outcome.
We joined a stargazing tour at this cottage. Super impressive. The guide took us to the seven star tree and the Milky Way at there was just so stunning. I of course took the sigma 20mm f1.4 dg dn art and set at f1.4 and one of the benefits is the manual focus lock. It was very handy feature for night sky photography. Iso were 800 and 15s exposure. I'm so excited for the outcome.