Sapporo - Part 2

Our second full day in Hokkaido was busy.  We awoke early again and started our trek in the snow.  Our ultimate goal was to get to the Okurayama Ski Jump, which was used in the 1972 Winter Olympics.  On the way, we stopped at Hokkaido Shrine, a Shinto shrine.  We have seen Shinto shrines in summer, spring and fall.  We thought some winter photos might be beautiful.

Entrance to the shrine.  (I love my winter clothes!!)

Hokkaido Shrine

Before entering the main building of the shrine, you are supposed to wash your hands and mouth.  I was curious to see if they would still be able to in the cold!

Then it was onward and upward to Okurayama.

Okurayama Ski Jump

Neither Joe or I had been to an official Olympic site before.  It was very cool.  It also made me realize that ski jumpers are a bit crazy!!!  We were able to take the ski lift to the top of the hill.

On the way up, we got a great view of where the ski jumpers literally fly off the mountainside.  Here it is, right above the Olympic rings.  From here, they are flying in the air until they reach the lower part of the hill.  Yipes!!!!

The view from the top of the hill was magnificent!

Even though it was cold outside, it wasn't so cold that we couldn't have a little Hokkaido ice cream.  This was the best soft-serve I've ever eaten.  It was vanilla and yubari melon (kind of like a cantaloupe).

They also had a winter Olympics museum at Okurayam.  It was very good, but really only in Japanese.  Mixed with the memorabilia were simulators of the different sports.  Here's Joe trying virtual ski jump.

Now it's time to head away from Sapporo to Noboribetsu.  That will have to have it's own post!