7 Days Autumn Hokkaido

[twtan14]

Back to where we are now at level 10 of ESTA shopping center, I began my exploration of the Sapporo Ramen Republic (札幌ら～めん共和国). The themed restaurant area has eight small ramen restaurants spread out across the nostalgically designed floor space. They even managed to install a Shrine for the Ramen God, a steam train, rest area and a ballot box for visitors to vote which stall becomes the Ramen King.

Sapporo Ramen Kyowakoku or Sapporo Ramen Republic (札幌ら～めん共和国)
ESTA Level 10
2 Chome-1 Kita 5 Jonishi, Chuo Ward
Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0005, Japan

Here is a Map of Sapporo Ramen Republic but do note that the stall(s) will change as time goes by. Let’s check out the stalls and see which one is your favourite. I had originally picked to dine at Misono (みその) until our ramen dinner location was changed abruptly. Though I wasn’t happy with the last minute changes but since our tour guide managed to convince everyone else, I had to respect their decision.

 

[twtan14]

We shall follow the numbering order according to the map. Shirakaba Sansou (白樺山荘) recommends their miso ramen which has a rich flavoured miso infused with sesame oil and garlic.

Misono (みその) suggested their miso ramen with char siu made of pork back rib meat and topped with grated ginger. I could have enjoyed a bowl of Smoky Miso Ramen (味噌らーめん燻製味玉入り) which cost just ¥900 with ramen egg included, had our dinner plan not been changed.

Take note that the information included in the URLs in this post may change without notice if there is a change of stall(s).

 

[twtan14]

Ajisai (あじさい) holds a main branch in Hakodate. Their salt-based ramen is popular for its extremely clear soup. The recommended choice is their Ajisai Shio Ramen at ¥780.

Yoshiyama Shouten (吉山商店) says the aroma of sesame is the main draw with each bowl of ramen that has a rich but clean taste. And their suggested choice is the Baisen Goma Miso Ramen at ¥780.

Take note that the information included in the URLs in this post may change without notice if there is a change of stall(s).

 

[twtan14]

Shodai (初代) is a famous Otaru ramen shop that specializes in soy sauce based ramen, although their new miso ramen is also a popular choice.

Sora (ラーメン そら) uses Hokkaido’s own Mochi pork for the soup stock and grilled miso to create a delicious miso based ramen.

Take note that the information included in the URLs in this post may change without notice if there is a change of stall(s).

 

[cheefarn]

Ajisai (あじさい) holds a main branch in Hakodate. Their salt-based ramen is popular for its extremely clear soup. The recommended choice is their Ajisai Shio Ramen at ¥780.

At just S$8.60 a bowl of super authentic Hokkaido ramen, anyone still believe things are cheap in SG? Told you guys a lot of things is cheaper in Hokkaido than here. Rem we were and still is the world most expensive country to live in.

One boring bowl of shrimp dumping noodles costs a heady $6 at Wan Chai.

 

[twtan14]

Keisuke (肉そば けいすけ) had vacated its stall after lasting just three months. Jirochou (次郎長) now takes over the spot and they officially opened on 22nd January 2015. Their specialty is the Jukusei Miso made exclusively with Hokkaido miso; a favourite among customers of all ages.

Baikouken (梅光軒) is a famous Asahikawa ramen shop that specializes in an original blend of excellent soy sauce base ramen. Their suggested eat is the Tokusen Shouyu Ramen at ¥830.

Take note that the information included in the URLs in this post may change without notice if there is a change of stall(s). Photo credit for Jirochou.

 

[twtan14]

At just S$8.60 a bowl of super authentic Hokkaido ramen, anyone still believe things are cheap in SG? Told you guys a lot of things is cheaper in Hokkaido than here. Rem we were and still is the world most expensive country to live in.

One boring bowl of shrimp dumping noodles costs a heady $6 at Wan Chai.

The noodles and other ingredients all have to be imported. This alone will add up to the cost in addition to rental and manpower.

 

[twtan14]

The Steam Train SL Naruto (SLなると号) served as commemorative photo spot after you have had your fill of ramen. During other days when there are no state guests, this Rest Area is open to all visitors. For me, I preferred to sit on a chair rather than the floor and endure the leg clamp.

For ramen otaku, drop into the Pioneer Noodle Shop (札幌ら〜めん開拓舎) for more ramen products and other omiyage. For me, I did not ventured into the shop for a closer look due to time constraint as we were going to for a bird's-eye view of the city of Sapporo.

 

[cheefarn]

The noodles and other ingredients all have to be imported. This alone will add up to the cost in addition to rental and manpower.

I'd say our insane rental and transportation costs just push all prices sky high. Import costs is actually not that high and Japs restaurants here can easily absorb the cost.

 

[evilerniex]

I'd say our insane rental and transportation costs just push all prices sky high. Import costs is actually not that high and Japs restaurants here can easily absorb the cost.

anything imported is going to be expensive. try eating meepok or hokkien mee in japan, I am sure the price will be crazy there too.
if u think about it, ramen is just noodles in broth with pieces of pork and an egg (I really love ramen though). an equivalent local dish would be the lor mee, which cost $3-4 at hawker centre, half the price of ramen. so our food is not expensive after all

 

[jimmy_sg]

I highly recommend Shirakaba Sansou (白樺山荘). Better than ippundo for me.

 

[twtan14]

While waiting for everyone to be gathered, I went around snapping pictures of the Restaurants on the same level. Maybe lunch hours were over cause there wasn’t much human traffic and the eateries were mostly empty.

 

[twtan14]

I highly recommend Shirakaba Sansou (白樺山荘). Better than ippundo for me.

My search for which stall had the best ramen also pointed me to Shirakaba Sansou (白樺山荘) but after seeing the pictures of ramen from Misono (みその), I decided to go for it instead. In the end, I never gotten to eat either because our tour guide convinced my other tour mates to change location.

 

[cheefarn]

anything imported is going to be expensive. try eating meepok or hokkien mee in japan, I am sure the price will be crazy there too.
if u think about it, ramen is just noodles in broth with pieces of pork and an egg (I really love ramen though). an equivalent local dish would be the lor mee, which cost $3-4 at hawker centre, half the price of ramen. so our food is not expensive after all

Ha, that's an interesting comparison but IMHO its not accurate at all. Our wanton noodles and meepok are just not competitive against ramen. The ingredients and the way we cook are just miles apart.

And these days, the distance is even greater considering our meepok and other noodles are usually cooked by PRC people..... total garbage already

 

[evilerniex]

Ha, that's an interesting comparison but IMHO its not accurate at all. Our wanton noodles and meepok are just not competitive against ramen. The ingredients and the way we cook are just miles apart.

And these days, the distance is even greater considering our meepok and other noodles are usually cooked by PRC people..... total garbage already

u are giving our local food too little credit. when something is common and easily available, it is easy to overlook their value. a good bowl of wanton mee or mee pok is also very much depend on the ingredients and the way they cook. and likewise for good lor mee, the gravy is often shimmered overnight just like ur tonkotsu ramen broth.


granted there are crappy ones where the hawker anyhow cook, but likewise, I have tasted crappy ramen in japan as well. and u will be surprise there are increasing number of prc that are cooking ur ramen in japan.


anyway, I think we are getting off topic here. so lets stick to discussing japan stuff and leave the dissing of Singapore to edmw forum

 

[twtan14]

Instead of taking the lift due to the long wait, we proceeded down via the escalators and made our way to the 6th floor of JR Tower via the connecting passageway. JR Tower (JRタワー) most impressive tourist attraction is the T38 Observation Deck at the top of the building that rises above the train station. Occupying the tower's 38th floor, 160 meters above ground, the observation deck is quite a bit taller than the 90 meter observation deck of the TV Tower in nearby Odori Park. Great effort was put into the observation deck's design, including the viewing areas, information displays, music and even the washrooms.

JR Tower Observation Deck T38 (JR タワー展望室)
JR East Tower 6F, 2 Chome-5 Kita 5 Jonishi, Chuo Ward
Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0005, Japan



While Aki-san went off to purchase the admission tickets, we wandered around looking at the skin care products and other craft souvenirs at the Sapporo Style Shop (札幌スタイルショップ).

 

[twtan14]

From the Architectural Model, I got to know the trains actually came up to the top of the station building and not underground with the parking lots as its roof. Free WiFi access via SSID: JR_TOWER_FREE_WiFi is also available in in the tower and the vicinities of Apia, Esta, Paseo and Sapporo Stellar Place.

 

[twtan14]

Here is a Chart to show how tall the JR Tower compared to other famous buildings around the world. Opened on March 6, 2003, the 173 meters building is currently the tallest structure in Hokkaido but dwarfed against the towering competitors.

 

[cheefarn]

Wow great pics bro. I didn't go up to the top like you back then for I thought there's nothing much to see...therefore I didn't see the need to pay for the entrance ticket Never did I realize there's large wording on top of the train station platforms.....

Sigh.. regret again... So to anyone who claim there's nothing much to see and do in Sapporo.... well these pics shows what you have been or will be missing

 

[twtan14]

The usual price for the Admission Ticket is ¥720 for adult, ¥500 for high school and ¥300 for primary school children and below. But if you are in a group of 11 or more, you get a ¥100 discount off per ticket purchased. This lady collects the ticket and offered us an information brochure of the T38 attraction. Gosh, she is so kawaii!

Tour mates waiting at the 6th floor Lift Lobby for the lift to take us straight to the 38th floor observation deck. Did you know that the lift takes approximately 55 seconds to go from the 6th floor to the observation deck?

At the top of the observation deck, a bunch of Japanese School Children had just finished their event and was waiting for their turn to use the lift to go down.