I had to suddenly go to Hakodate, so I had to transfer trains, but I arrived in about 4 hours! I was impressed that I could reach Hokkaido in 4 hours (; ;) I hadn't eaten anything, so the rice balls were delicious ♡ I had some time before the meeting, so I went to a hair salon in Goryokaku Station that I found on Hot Pepper Beauty.

I bought the following items before boarding the Shinkansen from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. Sapporo Classic 350ml for 241 yen and Kurajima smoked cheese for 489 yen. When in Hokkaido, you feel like drinking a Classic. The smoked cheese was refrigerated, so I had some expectations, but it was just okay. Thank you for the meal.

A long-selling bento box that has continued since the era of the Seikan Ferry! This bento box, which recalls the days when Hokkaido prospered with herring, is the perfect collaboration of polished herring and kazunoko, making it incredibly delicious! Affordable yet luxurious, there is nothing like it! It is a bento box filled with history that is unique to Hokkaido's seafood offerings. If you are transferring at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, it is definitely recommended! The bento boxes provided by Hakodate's delicatessen "Mikado" are all top-notch! The "Hakodate Specialty Herring-Groomed Bento Box" has been on sale since 1966. It was a staple bento box for passengers on the Seikan Ferry bound for Sapporo. Hokkaido was once a region that prospered with herring fishing, and herring was the representative fish of that era. When it comes to Hokkaido, dishes like salmon roe and crab are common in bento boxes, but the "Hakodate Specialty Herring-Groomed Bento Box" is completely different from those, making it a bento box steeped in Hokkaido's history. Herring bento boxes are not commonly seen even in Hokkaido. This time, I was traveling by JR from Sapporo to Koriyama. Since I departed Sapporo early in the morning and the bento shops were not open, I decided to buy a bento box at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, where I had about 30 minutes to transfer. I have used this route many times, so I am quite familiar with it. The bento boxes available at the kiosk in Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station are usually about 3-4 types. This time, I purchased the long-selling bento box "Hakodate Specialty Herring-Groomed Bento Box" for 980 yen! I often buy local bento boxes at Tokyo Station, but it is rare to find a bento box for under 1000 yen. The bullet train is about to depart. Let the unwrapping ceremony begin! However, there are many tunnels to pass through until we exit the Seikan Tunnel, making it difficult to take photos. I hurriedly took a photo around the Kikonai area, where my grandfather's land was located. The visual is quite simple, with golden kazunoko and groomed herring. In Hokkaido, where pink seafood bento boxes are common, this bento box stands out. The main items are sweetened herring and kazunoko. The sweetened herring is not overly sweet, which I usually don't like, but this one has just the right amount of sweetness, making the rice disappear quickly. Also, the amount of kazunoko in the bento box is unbelievable for 980 yen. The crunchy and delicious kazunoko was a first for me! The simmered kelp stalks and pickled daikon served as side dishes also paired perfectly. I finished it in no time! I think the "Hakodate Specialty Herring-Groomed Bento Box" is the strongest bento box I have ever eaten among all the bento boxes I have tried.

Hakodate Mikado, a long-established store in Hakodate that specializes in side dishes and bento boxes, produces a seafood bento box. This time, I traveled from Noboribetsu to Tokyo using the JR train. I had about 30 minutes to spare at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, so I went to the shop inside the ticket gate. Although there weren't many options, I bought the "Kita no Ekiben-ya" because I didn't have much time. When the bullet train started moving, it was time to open the box! Inside the square container were a variety of colorful side dishes and chirashi sushi. The scallop, crab, and squid rice were packed with Hokkaido's delicacies. Just eating this one box made me feel like I had traveled around Hokkaido. The scallop rice had large scallops, giving it a satisfying texture. The squid rice was small but having it in the bento was a nice touch. There were also kazunoko, which I think is a Hokkaido specialty. The combination of ikura and tamagoyaki with rice was good, with the salty flavor of the ikura and the texture of the tamagoyaki blending well. Overall, the bento had a mild saltiness, and I finished it all! Truly a satisfying Hokkaido bento. Highly recommended!

I'm glad it was open! The Super Hokuto No. 1 departs from the new Hakodate Hokuto Station at 06:20, and the restaurant opens at 06:10 so that you can make it in time. I was feeling a bit disappointed because on the Tabelog page it said they open at 07:00, and I was worried I wouldn't have any food until Sapporo. With no onboard sales available anymore, this is my last resort. Thank you so much!

On the final day of my trip to Aomori and Hokkaido, I stayed at a ryokan in Shinkotetsu after enjoying the night view of Hakodate Mountain. I returned to Tokyo on the Hokkaido Shinkansen the next day. At Shinkotetsu Station, I bought the "Nishin Migaki Bento" which is a specialty of Hakodate Mikado (Kiosk). Inside the bento box, there was simmered herring, seasoned herring roe, stem seaweed, and rice. It was a unique combination that I had never tried before, but as I ate the bento, I felt a sense of harmony in the flavors. It was like a taste that a middle-aged man who enjoys drinking sake would appreciate. I quickly finished the bento on the train and mostly slept from Shinkotetsu to Tokyo. Green cars are definitely more comfortable. Taking the Shinkansen is better than flying after all. I spent this long weekend in Aomori and Hokkaido, making sure to enjoy as much as possible, and I safely returned home. I would love to come back again someday and take it easy.

Lunch Box in the Morning of September 2019

Finally, it's time to say goodbye to Hokkaido. I purchased a station bento to savor the lingering memories of Hokkaido on the Hokkaido Shinkansen. To close out the trip, of course, I got a Sapporo Beer Classic! And for snacks, I got the Migaki Bento with Kazunoko and Nishin. The best snacks! The Shinkansen departs from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, smoothly picking up speed. As the Tsugaru Strait comes into view, I wait for the perfect moment! Cheers! I unwrap the old-fashioned wrapping paper and reveal the Kazunoko and Nishin. The Nishin is so delicious, I can't resist taking a sip of beer. And then, I pick up my chopsticks for the Kazunoko. The crunchy texture is amazing. It's lightly seasoned, allowing me to savor the natural flavors. The beer goes down smoothly. Should I have bought another one? I take a sip of the Nishin. Despite its appearance, it's also lightly seasoned. The contrast in texture between the Kazunoko and Nishin is enjoyable. Before I know it, I've finished everything! And now, we're entering the Seikan Tunnel. Well, goodbye Hokkaido, it was a delicious meal!

I carried my bicycle on my back from Susukino Hotel, took the subway from Susukino Station to Sapporo Station, then took the limited express train to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. I bought a Ezo Chirashi bento box and a SORACHI 1984 beer at the kiosk outside the ticket gate. I enjoyed the bento box filled with Hokkaido specialties like scallops, crab, salmon roe, salmon, shrimp, octopus, sea urchin, while admiring the snow-covered scenery from the Shinkansen train. It was a delicious meal, thank you.

I searched for a bento box at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. I was looking for the Neboke Battera Stick Sushi. There were various bento boxes on display at the store, but I couldn't find it. It was located on the left shelf at the back of the store. It cost 1,030 yen. There was also grilled Battera Stick Sushi available, but I bought the regular one. Neboke is the name of an izakaya in Hakodate city. However, upon closer inspection of the packaging, I realized that it referred to a large fatty hokke fish that inhabit the waters near Hakodate's Esan and Matsumae islands. When I opened the bamboo leaf wrapping, I was greeted by a pleasant scent of vinegar and kelp. The Battera Stick Sushi was revealed. On top of the hokke fish, there were thin slices of kelp, as well as shiso leaves and ginger. It wasn't as oily as mackerel stick sushi, and had a more subtle flavor than expected. The stick sushi came in five pieces, which was just the right amount for lunch. I recommend it as a bento box featuring Hakodate's local cuisine.

It was a sudden trip so I couldn't make advance reservations for the plane, and buying a ticket back at regular price... I thought about it and found out that taking the train would be about ¥5,000 cheaper. Since I wasn't in a hurry anymore and it would make for a good story, I chose the train. However, now the special services on the express train have been discontinued, and if you forget to buy something to eat before boarding, you'll be starving between Sapporo and Hakodate. So I stopped by our shop before transferring. The Shinkansen is fast so I didn't buy too much. I had two rice balls and for some reason, a milk coffee, a mysterious combination haha. We enjoyed each separately. The scallop rice ball is very Hokkaido-like, but the octopus rice ball gives off an image of the Seto Inland Sea for railway fans. The coffee is produced by a famous shop in Sapporo. This is something... it's quite delicious. I bought some grilled hokke fish cakes as a souvenir (for myself haha). It has a slightly crunchy texture and a hokke-like taste. This is also quite tasty. Sapporo Beer SORACHI: I hardly drink alcohol these days, but when my brother brought this back for me, I found it to be incredibly delicious, so I had to buy it as a souvenir for myself. Craft hoppy beers have been popping up from various companies lately, but among them, this one stands out as top-notch. With these and some souvenirs, I ended up using up the price difference with the plane ticket haha.

I forgot my drink in my car, so I bought a 500ml bottle of "Urara" green tea made in Ebetsu by Hokkaido kiosk for 90 yen including tax after passing through the Shinkansen ticket gate! It's a delicious tea with matcha made from 100% domestic tea leaves, with a mild bitterness and smooth throat feel, perfect for drinking quickly. For the 20 minutes passing through the Seikan Tunnel, the window outside was pitch black, but this tea from "Latchi-ten" was a great companion during this boring time. Thank you, "Latchi-ten"!

March 26th must have been a long-awaited day for the people of Hokkaido. There are various opinions on whether it was necessary to open the new Hokkaido Shinkansen by eliminating existing overnight trains, but first of all, congratulations on the improved access. Before the opening, I had the opportunity to get a souvenir of Hakodate from a nearby store. I will now review the "Hokkaido Shinkansen Butter Castella" that I bought for 748 yen (tax included). The cake comes in a long box with a print of the sleek Hokkaido Shinkansen on it. The box also features an introduction to the seating on board, including the luxurious Grand Class seats that make you want to experience the train ride. The cake is made by a local company, Showa Seika, which produces various sweets in Hakodate. The cake, which fits neatly in the long box, resembles the image of the Shinkansen. It is cleverly designed so that the cake can be easily taken out using a sliding mechanism, and the cardboard base underneath can be used as a makeshift cutting board. A knife is also included for enjoying the cake on the go. The rich buttery aroma and the delicate, gentle taste of the cake will surely evoke a sense of travel nostalgia. It paired perfectly with tea. I hope to visit the northern lands one day, even if it takes a 4-hour journey. Thank you for the delicious treat.