It was coincidence at first that our second trip was 5 years after our first. Now, its become a regular schedule as the third trip is in 2011 and a possible fourth trip will occur in 2016. By 2006, my travel equipment has been upgraded to include a laptop and digital camera. Thus, making it much easier to post pictures for all to see and much faster as well. For now, I can upload images at the end of the day to those who like to follow along with me on my adventures. This second outing to this familiar locale has us residing at one of two Toyoko Inn locations in the Susukino area. This one is a bit further out than the one located right in the downtown area. However, it did not pose much of an inconvenience. This was our first stay in this chain of business hotels. We had already planned the trip but unable to secure accommodations in Sapporo. While reading through the travel section of the hometown sunday paper, I espied a letter written by a traveller who recommended this franchise. Since the location was good and there was availability, we booked our rooms. Since we were in the Susukino area, there were a number of restaurants and stores within walking distance. The sculptures carved from blocks of ice were an everyday sight that we would walk past during sightseeing. Being known for their seafood and crab, eating establishements that cater to these needs were many and not very hard to spot. They are also known for their style of ramen which uses miso in their broth. There is an alley nearby where ramen shops line either side of the narrow passage ways. We had a full on crab buffet that cost 5000 yen, around $40 at that time. Along with sushi, soup, and side dishes, it was all you can eat king, snow, and hairy crab.
Crab is readily available during this festive time. At the main drag, Odori Park, crab sellers are hawking their wares at the base of the TV tower that anchors one end of the sttrip. They offer samples of crab broth to entice buyers. The briney smell of crab being boiled to death wafts throughout the one square block they have set up at.
This was inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia if my memory serves me right
