Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵

During the past three days, my wife and I embarked on an exploration of Sapporo and its surrounding areas, including the picturesque Shikotsu Lake. To my surprise, the natural landscapes we encountered didn’t quite fit the image of Japan I have had so far .

As we went out to get our breakfast coffee, we couldn’t help but notice how many bread shops and Italian restaurants were in Sapporo. Ironically, the very bread shop we visited was flocked by Italians who were enjoying their coffee and breads at the only available table. I mean, how European can it get, right?

The expanses around Shikotsu Lake bore a striking resemblance to the vastness of Switzerland. Snow-capped mountains framed the serene lake, its waters shimmering with hues of green and blue. Instead of the familiar cedar trees of Gifu Prefecture, the landscape was dotted with European-looking birch trees, reminiscent of those I had encountered in the Netherlands. This European ambiance extended to the parks of Sapporo, where birch trees dominated the scenery.

Our visit to Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill further reinforced this European vibe. Surrounded by vast, flat grasslands and grazing sheep, it felt again more akin to the landscapes of Europe than Japan.

Even the culinary experiences mirrored this European influence. Hokkaido’s renowned dairy products, from yogurts to cheeses, lacked the distinct Japanese flavors I had expected. A breakfast set at Sapporo station, complete with bread, melted cheese, and grilled ham, transported me back to the flavors of Switzerland.

Though we missed out on indulging in a Hokkaido cheese fondue, opting instead for a local recommendation of soup curry, the European undertones persisted. Even the Sapporo Beer Museum, with its history rooted in German beer brewing, exuded a distinctly European atmosphere, from its architecture to its machinery.

While I hesitate to label all of Hokkaido as European based on my limited experiences, I am eager to explore more of this diverse island. Next time, I hope to delve deeper into its raw and untouched natural beauty, perhaps encountering a different facet of Hokkaido’s charm.

#Hokkaido #Sapporo #ShikotsuLake #EuropeanInfluence #CulinaryExploration #Nature #TravelInspiration