All around Sapporo

We had a great day seeing more sites in the city. The Takahashi family were our tour guides for this and the next day as we explored the country around Sapporo. (See next post)

We started off at a Shinto Shrine. This religion respects and gives a lot of tribute to their ancestors. Most of the area is not paved symbolizing how things were way back when.

Outside the shrine area

A lantern on the path

Washing before we enter the shrine area.

Inside the shrine

These are boards that you can write blessings or hopes for a person. Many people do it for their child. We had Saiyu write on one for Adriana, but instead of leaving it there as is custom, we took it home.

A beautiful example of how manicured all the plants and gardens are.

The government building in Sapporo

Thousands of cranes all linked together

The infamous clock tower with a school group from Tokyo!

Lunch outside the Olympic ice rink.

Perfect end to a day with a relaxing sit in a hot spring.

A Buddhist temple adjacent to the hot spring.

And a nice cool treat. They have square ice cream cones so that was fun and different.

Not the best picture of this but, they have vending machines all over outside and not always directly in front of a building. When we were out in the country we saw several in many different places. Thirst no more!

Our last stop was to another shrine with a great entrance. To let one know you are coming to a shrine, there are these structures, called tori gates. Usually there are one or a few, but this one had a ton and they looked so cool.

Christine with Tsutomu Takahashi.

A couple taking wedding pictures.

Another great couple taking a beautiful shot!

Adriana having fun with some kids at the English class. She loved the fact that she made some friends and it is amazing that they could have so much fun and carry on without any language.