Shopping in Sapporo

Shopping in Sapporo is definitely not as exciting as major cities like Osaka and Tokyo. While there are a few shopping malls near our hotel at JR Sapporo, the range of merchandise available is rather limited and designs are not as trendy.

Still, I manage to get these at Daimaru. The branded towels are cheap in Japan and it is something I never fail to buy. The towel pouch is useful for small cosmetics items like compact powder and lipstick withouth adding bulk to our handbags.

Celine hand towel, Laura Ashley towel pouch 

Got the tissue holders and Hello Kitty pen at souvenir shop at JR Sapporo station. The candies with the Chinese name is made of herbs and very soothing for the throat !

Snacks. Most notable is the cheese scallops. Yummy! 

Don't forget to try the Sapporo Beer. Hokkaido is the birthplace of beer in Japan and Sapporo Beer is one of the oldest and most popular beer brands in the country.

Along the way to various places of interest like the farm, we had the opportunity to try more of the local fares. I would strongly recommend having the Sapporo corn and potatoes. They are so sweet and fresh.

Usually available at the rest stops between trips and at Farm Tomita. 

Potatoes in butter. Simple dish but you got to try it to know how good it tastes! 

It was Summer when we visited in August and the season for melons. So we had a lot of melon stuff. 

Melon juice with real melon bits 

Melon Pudding 

Another area to shop is at Susukino, the Tanuki Koji Shopping Arcade, Sapporo's oldest shopping area. Most of the shops sell goods made in China.

Shopping alley

There is a large sourvenir shop selling Hokkaido snacks. And our favourite 24/7 store Donki is here too. Here's what I bought :

Tiramisu Chocolates - our favourite ! 

Green Tea Kit Kat - tasty !

The Green Tea Kit Kat is not too sweet and rather addictive. I just learnt that it is also available at NTUC Finest at S$5.90.

Kit Kat Passion Fruit. Interesting but not unforgettable.

Sapporo is well-known for its diary products as well as potatoes and vegetables. Don't forget to bring these instant soup home. They are really creamy. 

A visit to Japan is not complete without cosmetics and skincare shopping. I found Matsukiyo, one of the largest drugstore chain in Japan at Tanuki Koji Shopping Arcade. There are a few drugstores but I feel Matsukiyo still offers the best value.

I simply love Yuskin A handcream

Yuskin A moisturiser is one of my must-buy items when visiting Japan. It is super moisurising and keeps my hands smooth and soft. Downside is that it has a slightly waxy smell. Very popular with Taiwanese too. Check our their Taiwan website.

Another must-buy product - the eye mask that heats up to 40 degree celcius to relax your eyes

Other things I would recommend buying will include Jill Stuart and Laduree cosmetics as they are not available in Singapore.

It is possible to walk back to the JR Sapporo area from Susukino as there are many underground linkways as well. This is excellent for the winter season when it gets too cold to walk above ground. We were surprised to see this.

Surprised to see Kuan Yin on top of the building. Apparently it is a shop selling Buddhist prayer supplies.

We took a stroll back and passed by the Odori Park, as well as Sapporo Clock Tower, which is the symbol of Sapporo.  It’s in downtown Sapporoand stretches 1.5 km from east to west in 12 blocks. 

Shopping in Seoul

I am a BBG so can forget about shopping for clothes in Korea. Unless I want those ahjumma looking attire! So here's what I bought :

From Congeehouse, sea salt seaweed. I realise prices are cheaper at Seoul Mart down the street but different brand 

Lots of rave about this but I didn't find it so great after all 

Super Junior Calendar 2014 is out ! 

Etude House BB Cream

Many positive reviews about this Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel. Too heavy so I bought only one. It's cooling and nice to put on as a mask on a hot day.  

Freebies from all the different shops. I realise that the shops have cut back on freebies since my last visit in 2009 

Nice stationery from Kosney Life Style Shop

Really comfy Made in Korea socks for sleeping in the air-con room

Jetso Tip : 
If you are going to Seoul before 31 December, go to Visit Korea Year to download to get discounts on airport shuttle, cosmetics and skincare and food outlets.


Incheon Airport - Hello Kitty lounge 

Lovely Hello Kitty Cafe at the Incheon airport. The gallery is really cute with reproduction of the various impressionist paintings by Renior, Degas, Monet, Van Gogh and so on. 

What to buy in Dubai

Are luxury goods cheaper since Dubai is a tax free city ? I would say it is only marginally cheaper, say about 10% or so. This coach bag which I was eyeing is selling around SGD$1000 but about SGD$900 + in Dubai. Wristlets are about S$60 cheaper on average.

For souvenirs, I recommend buying from the supermarket at Dubai Mall, Waitrose. We also bought some dates with nuts from Ibn Butta's huge supermarket. Fine European chocolates are also cheaper. Here's what I bought.

Other stuff : Naturalizer boots S$70 !

Shopping in Dubai : Ibn Butta Mall

Our first stop was the Ibn Butta Mall, the world's largest themed shopping mall. It was ranked no 4 in Things to do in Dubai on tripadvisor.
As the mall is right next to the Ibn Butta station, we decided to take the train there. And we really regretted it ! Our walk from the hotel to the Dubai Mall station was soooo long, I would say it is a 5km walk ! I was tired even before we started shopping. Fortunately it was all indoor and there were shops to distract us along the way. On the return trip, we took the free shuttle F13 from the station.
Jetso Tip: Do remember to keep your metro tickets for a free ride on the buses serving the stations. In our case, we took the F13 bus from Dubai Mall station back to the hotel.


The Metro in Dubai is new and nice, similar in many ways to ours. It gets crowded in the evening. Fares are cheap, think we paid AED$13 for two pax. The Ibn Butta Mall has lots of of mid-prices shops and departmental stores as well as a huge supermarket. The decor and architecture are amazing, with each section of the mall depicting a different region.








It is huge mall so we ended up paying AED5 each for a buggy ride to take us through the mall.

More Stuff to buy : Kao Megurism Steam Hot Eye Mask

Don't forget to buy the Kao Steam Hot Eye Mask
This is an awesome product only available in Japan and Hong Kong. It works wonders to soothe tired eyes by releasing moderate heat (40 C). The heat improves blood circulation around the eyes and relieves tired eyes. It feels great as it emits a nice floral scent at the same time. Available at Japan drugstores. The large box of 14 pcs retails at JPY980.

The tummy version is good for use during period to relieve cramps

Porta Mall and The Cube at Kyoto

As we are staying in Hotel Granvia, which is linked to Kyoto's largest underground mall, Porta, we had breakfast at the cafe there. Pronto serves breakfast set comprising muffin or sandwich with coffee starting from Y390.

Besides boasting over 30 restaurants, the mall also features a variety of shops in the fashion zone. Do also check out the souvenir shops selling unique crafts, pottery, Yuzen-dyed fabrics, Nishijin textiles, fans, umbrellas, dolls, cutlery, gold-leaf work, paper lanterns, Japan’s special sweets and tea.

The hotel is also linked to another large underground mall, The Cube, where more food and shopping awaits.

Pretty looking lockers at the mall.

Single seating cubicles at McDonald's.

Jetso Tip: Walk around and explore the options for breakfast at Porta and The Cube.