Okadama Airport (丘珠空港), Sapporo, Hokkaido

This domestic airport was good for those who wanna get in the city within 20 minutes.  It's that much even if you take a taxi to downtown, approx. US$20-30.  I quite enjoy flying this smaller propeller airplane.  It takes a very short time for boarding and landing.  

Kushiro Airport, Hokkaido

Just like most remote cities, public transportantion may not be that easy nor in a good connection.  I spent almost 3 hours in this airport so as to catch the connecting coach to Lake Akan.  I thought I could feel bored but it was quite fun to check around this airport.  The photos tell.

La Vista Kushirogawa hotel, Kushiro, Hokkaido

Booked this hotel because of its close location to the bridge and Fishermen Wharf.  The room is standard, tidy and clean as what you need.  On the desk, an interesting note caught my attention (photo 1) - complimentary ramen from 9:30 to 11pm. 

Toraya restaurant, Kushiro, Hokkaido

Though the photo 2 didn't show any people, this restaurant was indeed pretty crowded.  Later on, this are was seated.  This city is very close to another city Akkeshi (厚岸) where is the famous place for oyster in Japan.  How could I resist not trying the oyster in this sister city.  I thought I should have order live oysters, but when I noticed the other guests were taking the baked oyster, I changed my mind.  Turned out it's unbelievably sweet tasty and aromatic.  The waiter recommended us to try their signature dish - fried chicken.  I had to thank for his recommendation.  I was surprised that they used free range chicken.  Another highlight is their Kaisen Don (assorted sashimi on rice).  Very fresh sea urchin, scallop, prawn...  As all these dishes are so good that I even ordered more - grilled fish.  This reminded me of how my grand ma used to pan fried some semi-sun-dried fish.  Couldn't believe that I found this kind of grilled fish in Kushiro.  

Catch a crab, in Kushiro, Hokkaido

Bus rides with no other passengers, between Lake Akan and Kushiro, Hokkaido

Not only the city was that quiet, but also on my both bus rides between the city and Lake Akan there wasn't any other passenger.  Looks like my chartered buses.  The photo 1/2 show a very nice bus with a wide seat and all with aisle access. 

A day this city stood still - Kushiro, Hokkaido

After I took these photos, I wondered why some people use some filter lens with long exposure time for a busy place with no one in the scene.  I believe I ran into less than 10 people during my 1 hour walk around this city.  Ain't this a bit in a twilight zone.

Moo (Fishermen Wharf), Kushiro, Hokkaido

This town isn't that busy, or I should say "extremely quiet", as compared to others I've been to.  This mall was supposed to be occupied by many shops and restaurants in its original design, but apparently it's much below its plan.  There were only a few souvenir shops on the ground floor and on the 2nd/3rd floors are just some social service areas.