Now to something a bit more modern, and yet again closed for New Years (didn't I plan this well!), the
Sapporo TV Tower and adjacent
Odori Park. With the former Hokkaido Court House found at the far end of the park.
Up to the shopping district with a quick walk by the
Nijo Fish Market (where everything is so big!) and onto
Tanuki Koji Shopping Arcade. Probably should have taken more photos of the variety of shops in here as well as the underground malls such as Pole Town and APIA but I was after something specific from Tanuki Koji, a Japanese made santoku chef's knife from Miyabun. Miyabun doesn't have the centuries worth of history like many knife smiths in Japan but I was just looking for a good value knife that I wouldn't be afraid to use everyday. Some of the pieces looked absolutely exquisite though.
From the far end of Tanuki Koji it was a short walk to
Sankichi Shrine. Nestled among high rise buildings, the shrine offers a pleasant place to relax and take a moment to reflect.
I also detoured off Tanuki Koji up to Ramen Alley, an apparently famous ramen spot in Japan although I didn't partake as I wasn't confident in my limited Japanese being abel to explain what vegetarian is
. Also went for a wander around the underground shopping mall Pole Town which was a nice way to escape the winter chill of Sapporo.
Then it was onto the final stop of the Sapporo tour,
JR Tower. (After my initial plans of walking through the botanical gardens were cancelled due to - you guessed it - closed for New Years)