Our tour begins here at The Hokkaido Shrine. Constructed in 1869 by order of the emperor, Hokkaido Shrine(Jingu) was founded to support Hokkaido’s early colonists. It is dedicated to the Shinto deities that are associated with Hokkaido. This shrine sits in the lush 70-hectare Maruyama Park. This area is beautiful any season throughout the year. One of the delights of this tour will be the opportunity for you to “reach in a box” and pull out a strip of paper containing a written message of your fortune. You will also have the chance to select an omamori(amulets). These include amulets for safe travel, healing from illness, safe childbirth, and academic/job success, among many other blessings. Finally, as a member of this shrine tour, you will be able to write on a wooden “ema”(votive tablet) and then tying it on a wooden stand at the shrine. Your guide will help you with these shrine rituals as well as teach you basic shrine etiquette as not to offend the gods.

Next, we will head to The Central Wholesale Market. This is not just a tourist spot but very loved by locals as well. It’s huge with more than 80 stores and restaurants lined along the street. Seafood lovers will be in awe of the offerings. Tons of snow and king crab, urchin, salmon, scallops, oysters, blue fin tuna and on and on. Guests are able to select their seafood on the spot and eat it either raw or grilled. There are also numerous stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables. It is easy to see why this market is popular with local housewives and others who come here daily for their food shopping. Your guide can direct you to a reasonably priced fresh seafood lunch just off the beaten path. In addition, your guide can translate the names of the fish in Japanese into English.

After lunch, The Shiroi Koibito Confectionery Theme Park awaits us. We will start on the 3rd floor watching how all their “sweets” are made(by hand) and on the conveyor belts of the factory. We will observe the process from baking to packaging. Then, we will go and purchase (optional)a Shiroi Koibito “cookie tin”(tin holding either 36 or 54 cookies/fees apply). Each tin comes with your personalized photo on it. Then, it is off to join the chocolate tasting session and to decorate your own Shiroi Koibito cookie.(fees apply). Finally, tour the entire Shiroi Koibito Park attractions and partake in some activities. A fun-filled 2 hours!