On their last day in Sapporo, all four of the travellers braved the weather and caught the train to Otaru (again) in order to collect the glassware that Mick and Bernie had made yesterday.
Mick was not going to leave his masterpiece behind. He told me that he had made a sake glass, and that I will love it. I must say that I am very impressed, but I’m unsure though if it will be placed on display in our new apartment. Sorry Mick.
While they were there, Tom and Emma decided to try their hand at glass blowing, and Emma apparently was a natural. I was worried that they might not be able to collect their ‘masterpieces’, as they have to be left for 24 hours. However, their masterpieces will be sent to their next hotel in Tokyo in time for them to pack them safely into their luggage.
The snow was very thick today, which made for some beautiful photos – I’ve selected a few of those sent to me to share in this post. Mick told me that the temperature range for the day was -12°C to -3°C.
Walking around was very difficult and dangerous. This road was obviously closed according to the group. The streets were pretty empty as well as treacherous.
“NO GO ZONE”
A little further on, Mick had a very nasty fall on an icy road. He was lucky that he fell into the snowy mound next to it, but he needed Tom and Bernie’s help to get him up. He said he was a bit stiff and bruised, but that nothing was broken. His supply of ibuprofen is quickly running out – lucky they only have a few days to go on their holiday.
The next stop was the fish market for lunch, and Tom was impressed by this crustacean.
Not enough to buy it though – at $350AUD it was a bit too much for them. Instead, they ate a smaller crab and sashimi sailing fish. I’d never heard of that sort of fish before, so I looked it up and found out that is also called Flying Fish.
But as expected, by me at least, the four then visited the Zenibako Brewery, which is located on the Otaru Canal.
Tom said that the canal was semi frozen it was so cold, and they were all very keen to get inside to get warm.
I smiled to myself when I read the website for this business: an interesting concept – “keeping German tradition alive” – in Japan!!
Their website is actually filled with information about the beer they make and how they do it – it is well worth a sticky beak if you are a beer drinker.
Mick looks very happy to be there, while poor Bernie looks frozen.
Once back in Sapporo, Mick and Bernie opted for a quiet night – a beer in the hotel’s bar and a light meal in their room of snacks purchased at the markets.
Bernie offered to shout.
He was very shocked to get the bill which included 800 yen cover charge, 381 yen tax and 2600 yen for the two beers. ($42AUD)
I hope they were worth it!
Meanwhile, Tom and Emma decided to head out for the evening. Suitably dressed in gear that many Japanese young people wear, they headed to this ‘Girls’ Bars’.
I have included this next photo of Tom being silly mainly because the person he was snapped next to is wearing shorts.
It is actually snowing!!
Entry to the bar required fluency in Japanese. Not to be deterred by that, and with the help of Google Translate, Tom learnt one phrase – “I am from Japan”.
And they got in.
Tomorrow the travellers will fly to Tokyo for the last leg of their trip, where they will spend 2 nights before a late night flight back to Brisbane.
Jane and Mick's Holiday Adventures 
This was an excellent project Jane. I’ve loved reading it and looking at the pics. And wondering if Michael is going to get home in one piece.
You’re not the only one David. It is harder to write than if I was there!! And I appreciate your very positive comment.