17th October (Thu)
On 17th October,2002 - tried Japanese breakfast in the hotel for 1,200 Yen. Every food was cold accept steam rice. Took the JR train from Sapporo Station to Shinrin-Koen Station. Pass about four station and arrived at Shinrin-Koen Station, was shocked flight of step ahead. The JR staff doesn't seems worried but I am. When he remove the cover of 20 Million Yen fully automatic chair lift, what a relief. As they wheel and strap every corner of my wheelchair and hasten the strap, to be honest with you as first timer it was hell while looking down the steps. If you understood fully what is automation, this robot firstly measure the height, angle and position of every steps taken where the handler beyond control. The jerk and sometime stops for few seconds, I was praying, grip tight my wheelchair and hold my breath. When everything was over, my buddy told me that nobody touch this machine while operating.
The staff asked us where are we visiting. I told him about the Historical Village of Hokkaido. He said need to book taxi. I saw someone alight a cab and asked the staff to hail for us. It was lucky day and great experience. Our taxi drive through forested park, from afar I notice an obelisk towering in the centre of the park. Found out later that it has a significant reference, the Centennial Memorial Tower build in honour of the hundredth anniversary of Hokkaido's official colonization in the surrounding of Nopporo Forest Park. It is a vast 2,050 hectares. Arrived at the colonial building, as the driver knew that flight of steps and make a detour up the hill at the side entrance gate which been locked. He intercom the guard which we arrive at 8.37 am and unlock. We are the early birds and some staff arriving for duty. The guard usher us to a waiting hall. Everything so quiet, read upon the board indicate opening hour 9.30 am. Had a quick view outside the entrance a large forest of green, red, brown and yellow leaves swaying agaist strong cool breeze. It was a tranquillity calm moment whereby in the city of tall building, heavy traffic and people and noise.
By 9.25 we join the queue for 610 Yen admission. My buddy took out all his coin and ready to hand over the counter. She signal free and gave us guide map in english. My buddy insist his fare, politely she signal free. The Historical Village of Hokkaido also located in this 54 hectares area in Nopporo Forest Park. It's amazing to visit the mid 19th to early 20th century restoration site of the Meiji and Taisho eras which opened in year 1983. This site of olden day structures of pioneer's lifestyles in Hokkaido. I didn't know the entrance of this Office Building was the gate of Old Sapporo Railway Station. Began with at and enter Kaitakushi Sapporo Headquaters of the Colonization- an Information Center, training room, auditorium and lounge. Next, the two storey wooden structure - Urakawa Subprefectural Government Building. Along the pathway old rail track been use by horse -drawn trolley. In winter, horse sleigh are fun. Proceed the following, the Otaru Shimbun (Newspaper) Building, Kaitakushi Industrial Office. This one very interesting, the Police Box - a red brick police box till 1971 to watch over the town. The Shimauta Post Office - then since open in 1886 when fishermen flourishing in herring fish, the post office also used for money remittance. The Yamamoto's Barber Shop, The Watanabe's Grocery, The Urakawa Church - a group of school children on study tour approach us and question in Japanese was embarassment when reply in English. The children starts laughing at each other. A passerby explain that we are foreigner. My response and advise to these school children is to pick-up English language. Besides a huge bell, ahead a large pond - the Aoyama Family's Structures for Herring Fishing. The Children's Plaza is children ground. At the Wakasa's Storehouse also the horse-drawn track ended, the Hokuseikan Silkworm House - could see silkworm feed on mulberry leaf. At the Iwama Family Farmhouse - a family of Miyagi prefecture and belonged to the Shizoku settlers (samurai descendents. At the Sokeshuomabetsu Relay Station - before railways were built. The Yamamoto Fire Tool Hovel, the Honjo Blacksmith, the Hirose Photo Studio, the Dr. Kondo's Clinic, the Takei Sake Brewery (rice wine), the Sanmasu Buckwheat Noodle Shop, the Kurumasa Inn and Kondo's Dyeing Shop. This was all we could cover as there were many more.
Rest at a restaurant. Sat at the table while waiting the waiter to take our order. He came over and redirect us to the menu on display at the entrance. We pointed that has seafood on the plate. We had to pay the amount from the menu and feed into a vending machine and received a ticket to handover to the kitchen counter. Then came a gas stove along steel plate and tray full of seafood are scallop, crabs legs, salmon, thin slice frozen beef, bean sprout, cabbage, clam and many more. Once the plate hot, he apply two slice cube of butter over where we starts having to enjoy cooking our own meal. The 4,000 Yen lunch was most best remember. Just like the "Genghis Khan" - local speciality of mutton and vegetable grilled on cast iron pan which can be found at Sapporo Beer Garden besides the Sapporo Beer Museum. Famous for all you can eat within one hour at of red brick 19th century building not to be miss. This meal we regards as our substitute place.
Return to the Office Building, as a staff assist us in booking a cab (lady driver) and left at 12.30 pm to Shinrin-Kien Station. JR staff were on hand with the "robot". I expect that be position towards the stairways, but I was wrong. I goes up the way I came down. After all over, took JR train schedule at 13.23 pm for Sapporo Station. At the Sapporo Station, did window shopping and around the city. Passby a fruit stall and bought 4 big red apples for 500 Yen. Stopover a cafe shop of fruits ice cream while my buddy got himself green tea ice cream in total for 720 Yen. Return to hotel at 19.00 pm . Pack our luggage and early to bed.
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18th October (Fri)
On 18th October, 2002 - very sad to leave Sapporo. Took the Super Hokuto, 8.34 am train for Hakodate Station. Order our bento of urchin eggs, sliced fish, pickled radish and others for breakfast and later had ice cream (white land) on a comfortable ride. At 11.52 am, arrived at Hakodate Station to transit for Aomori Station 12.06pm schedule by Kaikyo train - a special cabin meant for local people. What so special is that you could lie on long wooden plank and have full window view of the coastline and even stops in the tunnel for about 10 minutes. This tunnel link from mainland to Hokkaido through the seabed of 53.85 km. the height 7.6 meter and width 9.7 meter that took 26 years to complete. Arrived at Aomori Station 14.34 pm, and within 5 minutes from first platform, take lift down, swiftly change by another lift up for the other platform. My buddy was lag far behind because his legs began to tremble. Our reservation on this train as expected disable lot not available. Fortunate, found a baggage lot and park inside. I was nodding while the conductor on rounds came and wake me up. Immediately flash my card, came along with my buddy and access the width of my wheelchair of possiblility to pass through the isle. He got very good judgement the width as pass-through perfectly. I didn't know his private cabin a bed with window view. He unfold the bed, wheel me in and secured as close to window. This was amazing, a reward I hadn't had throughout train ride!. I took this advantage the fascinationg view towering tall trees, bridges, plain ,hills, tunnel, rivers, mountain and all a breath-taking experience without been looked. The most I am amused over looking along the coastlines of seagull, fishermen and houses- visit to have fresh seafood, and beautiful beaches.
The journey seems too short and arrived at Morioka Station, 16.51 pm. Depart the Morioka Station 17.02 pm by Yamabiko (special super train). It was after office hour and passenger wanted to hurried home. If not for our reservation seat ticket. But our seat been taken by a lady. We show her our ticket seat number, she left and mutter towards the doorway. Unsatisfiy, she load a complain to ticketing conductor. Although after some explaination, she kept a distance and squat while looking at us often hoping we would alight at next stop. Disappointed, in fact she could just take any seat vacant. As for us, we try to be calm and composed. If given a chance to speak, I would like to explain to her that my buddy is also disable in Japanese. Arrived at Tokyo Station 19.32 pm as schedule. From there, took JR Yamanote Line train to Ueno Station. By then, already 20.23 pm, stop at a convenience store for steam bun and vallina coffee ice cream. Next at KFC for takeaway and proceed to Fukushima Kaikan Hotel.
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19th October (Sat)
On 19th October, 2002 - at 7.30 am, check-out early and stroll along the Flea Market. Many stalls not open for business except two stalls. Ahead, the Ueno Hill - first public park open in 1873. Ueno Park is within and being the largest in Tokyo. Upon the Ueno Station by 8.25 am, took JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station. Tokyo Station, the main rail system linking several other lines. From underground platform, took lift up, pass the tunnel, lift up to the ground-level. Use the pedestrian crossing, pass the Tokyo Station Hotel, took lift down and up again to another platform for the Narita Express train. An hour high speed ride to Narita International Airport. Our departure time at 13.30 pm a SAYOUNARA & ARIGATOU - JAPAN
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Hanged board in Ueno Station asks you to show your Japan Rail Pass to the officer at the entrance. |
In concludtion: I observe that commuter stepped aside to make way for alighting passenger before boarding the train. The pushed and shoved one around to get through not of akind. I also notice the rail staff don't smile or laugh around. Perhaps with pride and dedication in their work, maybe safety comes first in their mind. They also have great pride in themselves were courteous and discipline. Also that concerns are punctual and accident-free. The information lady guides, in red uniform with plenty of smile to direct you if any and well verse in English. At the airport - it is best to have an identity card or letter to indicate that you are wheelchair user. I was asked why I needed a wheelchair. It is through no fault of her. I suggest our membership card should indicate it or airport should issue us pass that our wheelchair been check-in.
Written by Joseph Chia Teck Seng
