On the third day, we checked out of our hotel and headed for Asahikawa.The snow was really thick that day; Mark skidded the car a few times and it was a nerve-wrecking experience for me sitting in the front passenger seat. The ladies were too sound asleep to feel anything though.
![Look at the amount of snow covering the cars Look at the amount of snow covering the cars](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3303081275_f4a8cdde40_o.jpg)
![Braving the snow Braving the snow](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3303080177_2b3af4801e_o.jpg)
![On the road On the road](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/3303908970_4a9414597b_o.jpg)
![Ignorance is bliss Ignorance is bliss](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3303082905_fae080f99a_o.jpg)
We took a short stop at Otaru to grab a quick bite. Mark and Meiyen were determined to go back for the charcoal-grilled scallops which we missed narrowly the night before. Rachel and I tried the two-coloured Hokkaido corn which tasted delightfully sweet. We also visited LeTao and bought some chocolates. A few of the service staff at LeTao were Taiwanese who spoke Mandarin to us. It felt really warm to finally be able to communicate with someone in Japan as I don’t speak Japanese.
The presence of Mandarin-speaking sales staff in upmarket Japanese shops reflected the increased economic importance of China around the world. It was interesting to note there were more tourist signboards and announcements in Mandarin rather than English in Japan.
![Fresh, charcoal-grilled scallop Fresh, charcoal-grilled scallop](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/3303082961_331b5d4d94_o.jpg)
![Operation Scallop - mission accomplished! Operation Scallop - mission accomplished!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3531/3303083009_183d19465b_o.jpg)
![yummy two-colour corn yummy two-colour corn](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/3303080971_0d52c08f8d_o.jpg)
![delicious two-colour corn delicious two-colour corn](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/3303085583_6a6abecd37_o.jpg)
![Would Totoro like some corn too? Would Totoro like some corn too?](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3303082823_fb5f8f1c2b_o.jpg)
![Braving the cold to make snowman Braving the cold to make snowman](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3303082783_1d6486db6d_o.jpg)
![Dancing toy cats outside a 1000 yen shop Dancing toy cats outside a 1000 yen shop](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3303911662_819ba843d1_o.jpg)
![LeTao chocolate art LeTao chocolate art](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3303083699_46091c55c8_o.jpg)
![LeTao counter staff LeTao counter staff](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3303082227_9bc9aa62a1_o.jpg)
![LeTao chocolates LeTao chocolates](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3303081111_7afd69d759_o.jpg)
After Otaru, we headed for Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) to catch the penguin march – the highlight of our programmes for the day. It did not disappoint! Coming from a tropical country, it was really amazing to see cold-climate animals like penguins and polar bears roaming about freely in open-air enclosures as opposed to the giant fridges at the Singapore Zoo.
![At the zoo entrance At the zoo entrance](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3303912486_7019047819_o.jpg)
![open-air penguin enclosure open-air penguin enclosure](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3303084715_b2f1f3be42_o.jpg)
![Lots of people vying to see the penguins Lots of people vying to see the penguins](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3303910064_9070f267f8_o.jpg)
![Many penguins Many penguins](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3303909118_42d3b306f1_o.jpg)
![Penguins cleaning themselves Penguins cleaning themselves](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3303915774_573905f072_o.jpg)
![Bunch of King Penguins Bunch of King Penguins](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3303085683_b8a2af3608_o.jpg)
![Nice fur Nice fur](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3303911994_ec5904dbc8_o.jpg)
![Sunbusking Sunbusking](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3303909572_e134ff81ae_o.jpg)
![Baby King Penguin Baby King Penguin](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3303/3303915560_0956f77448_o.jpg)
![Front view Front view](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3303085247_fe66bdede6_o.jpg)
![Two Snares Penguins Two Rockhopper Penguins](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3303915422_ae704be529_o.jpg)
![A Snares Penguin cleaning itself A Snares Penguin cleaning itself](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/3303086473_109bc61d71_o.jpg)
![A lazy penguin A lazy penguin](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3303083857_76ae7a7c44_o.jpg)
![A Humboldt Penguin A Galapagos Penguin](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3303915160_b28ab32042_o.jpg)
![Group of Humboldt Penguins Group of Humboldt Penguins](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3303082005_dcde8414b0_o.jpg)
![A diver in the penguin enclosure feeding them A diver in the penguin enclosure feeding them](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3303913864_8d712c65a3_o.jpg)
![swimming penguins swimming penguins](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/3303081627_5ff6445970_o.jpg)
![strange looking marine fish strange looking marine fish](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3303910236_5542f4b017_o.jpg)
![fierce-looking red fish fierce-looking red fish](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/3303080485_9c126efa95_o.jpg)
![Colourful puffer fish Colourful puffer fish](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3303908548_fe135805d0_o.jpg)
![Japanese crane Japanese crane](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3303082397_c0293a0268_o.jpg)
![At the polar bear enclosure At the polar bear enclosure](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3303911496_9fdf3482ec_o.jpg)
![Polar bear, not carpet Polar bear](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/3303915720_3ac438d697_o.jpg)
![Standing tall and proud Standing tall and proud](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3303914738_31d0198c36_o.jpg)
![Theres two of them Theres two of them](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/3303914132_8a48724cd0_o.jpg)
![resting on a rock resting on a rock](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3303914686_4c2eaa65d8_o.jpg)
![Up close Up close](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/3303914456_32d68c6d12_o.jpg)
![Two polar bears playing Two polar bears playing](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3303086533_e416199be2_o.jpg)
![Taking a leisurely stroll Taking a leisurely stroll](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/3303084985_10b95ded27_o.jpg)
![Shiok-looking expression Shiok-looking expression](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/3303080053_f35fc94645_o.jpg)
![Sad brown bear Sad brown bear](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3303081157_dc2322926f_o.jpg)
![At the seals and sea lions enclosure At the seals and sea lions enclosure](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3303913408_0bc33c40d9_o.jpg)
![Clowning around Clowning around](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3303913274_8cd7b6ec19_o.jpg)
![A sea seal popping its head out of the water A sea seal popping its head out of the water](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3303913356_c489597b08_o.jpg)
![Hello! Hello!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3303912050_e3b1a2fa8e_o.jpg)
![underwater view underwater view](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3303909402_539fde8cc9_o.jpg)
![Fatty sea lion Fatty sea lion](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3303911244_128a37f188_o.jpg)
![Posing the the sea lions Posing the the sea lions](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3303079953_358a10966f_o.jpg)
![Cute vending machines Cute vending machines](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3303910022_a1d7e5371b_o.jpg)
As we arrived rather late, we had only about one hour to tour the entire zoo, minus the time spent watching the penguin march. Hence we visited only the cold-climate animals and skipped all the tropical animals. An observation made was that cold-climate species of the same animal tend to be bigger in size, probably because of thicker fur.
![Rawrrrrrrr Alvinology goes to Japan - Day 3 of 14 - Alvinology](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3303082671_b1a622562d_o.jpg)
![Arctic Lion Arctic Lion](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3303084889_ea92822085_o.jpg)
![Snow cheetah Snow cheetah](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3454/3303081473_3d028ef379_o.jpg)
![Snow leopard Snow leopard](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/3303909678_28e6fb713e_o.jpg)
![Siberian tiger Siberian tiger](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/3303913164_fcd736c30d_o.jpg)
![Irritated by gawking tourists Irritated by gawking tourists](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/3303080367_750708cdf0_o.jpg)
![Desperate red panda which fell into a moot and couldnt get out Desperate red panda which fell into a moot and couldnt get out](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/3303080687_2868f4570b_o.jpg)
![Another red panda Another red panda](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/3303083401_57575e8c24_o.jpg)
![Two more red pandas up the tree Two more red pandas up the tree](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3303082335_69ac9c8b4b_o.jpg)
![Japanese wolves trail - as they are already extinct, there are only images Japanese wolves trail - as they are already extinct, there are only images](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3303910412_587a1a10b7_o.jpg)
![A snow wolf A snow wolf](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3303082157_66a67f28fb_o.jpg)
![Smiley looking snow fox Smiley looking snow fox](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3303912818_d13ae857e5_o.jpg)
![At the monkey enclosure At the monkey enclosure](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3303912528_63274c67fa_o.jpg)
![Rachel, me and the monkeys Rachel, me and the monkeys](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3303913572_f5d25c1465_o.jpg)
![Can tell the monkeys are very cold Can tell the monkeys are very cold](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3303912180_16b05eff2f_o.jpg)
![Hurdling together for warmth Hurdling together for warmth](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3303911802_1416c5dd8f_o.jpg)
![Another neatly hurdled group Another neatly hurdled group](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3303911112_1658314365_o.jpg)
![Commiting obscene acts Commiting obscene acts](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3303910836_f9ab8305d3_o.jpg)
![The orang-utans enclosure was closed - probably hiding from the cold The orang-utans enclosure was closed - probably hiding from the cold](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3303084201_6845a8396e_o.jpg)
The penguin march was an exhilarating experience for all of us. Two long rows of people lined the path of the penguin march in a circular loop from their enclosure. The penguins were followed closely by zookeepers who ensure they do not stray and make it safely throughout. Two species of penguins were in the march – the King Penguins which generally walked in a straight line, minding their own businesses; and the inquisitve Gentoo Penguins which seems to enjoy interacting with human beings.
![Waiting for the penguin march Long queues to see the penguins march](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/3303085355_39c02d6a55_o.jpg)
![excited kids excited kids](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3303912618_e8a30e741e_o.jpg)
![Here comes the stars! Here comes the stars!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3303913494_5c01ebb029_o.jpg)
![lalalalalala lalalalalala](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/3303914314_1c9079e04a_o.jpg)
![King Penguins minding their own business King Penguins minding their own business](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3303086095_eeb9efbc2a_o.jpg)
![The smaller, mischievious Gentoo Penguin leading the King Penguins pack The smaller, mischievious Gentoo Penguin leading the King Penguins pack](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3303914918_837b09fb37_o.jpg)
![Please stand behind the red line! Please stand behind the red line!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3303083273_40c0e43b4e_o.jpg)
![Rachel was very excited Rachel was very excited](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3303083167_2abac349f7_o.jpg)
![Strolling along Strolling along](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3303913704_75fce7edda_o.jpg)
![Uncle behind Rachel trying to camwhore Uncle behind Rachel trying to camwhore](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3303083663_d2d7c7eb62_o.jpg)
![Heads up high Heads up high](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3303913122_6b8d61c748_o.jpg)
![A closer look A closer look](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3303083743_88e9e1425c_o.jpg)
![Keep to the line! Keep to the line!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3303080229_933fe22767_o.jpg)
![Get off my turf! Get off my turf!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/3303908672_2451c892cf_o.jpg)
![A naughty Gentoo Penguin straying from the formation A naughty Gentoo Penguin straying from the formation](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3375/3303912930_186d89b93f_o.jpg)
![Bouncing along Bouncing along](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/3303910648_65cd2a8e5a_o.jpg)
![Rachel, me and the penguins Rachel, me and the penguins](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3303080259_d903ee5286_o.jpg)
Rachel went totally gaga over the penguins, trailing them all the way, running down the path to catch them as they marched their way down. A few of the naughtier Gentoo Penguins got really close to the audience till they were made to fall back into formation by their zookeepers.
We left the zoo very satisfied and thrilled with getting to interact up close with penguins in their natural climate. Now, we have hunger tummies to fill. To accomplish that, we headed to a ramen town which is near to our hotel for the night – Loisir Hotel.
Japanese ramen are fantastic! Rachel and I had a very satisfying lunch. There are three flavours for Japanese ramen – miso, soy and shio (salt). I tried the miso ramen while she took the soy ramen.
After unloading our luggage at the hotel, we set off to do some shopping in Asahikawa. Following our routine the previous two nights, we made a stop at the supermarket to sweep some discounted food for dinner.
That night, we went to sleep feeling very full and satisfied with the food and experiences.
![At the ramen town At the ramen town](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3303080645_6ce760ca59_o.jpg)
![Some ramen shrine Some ramen shrine](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3303086207_188a1bcac4_o.jpg)
![We ate at this restaurant We ate at this restaurant](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3303085433_322f7609b4_o.jpg)
![Inside the ramen restaurant Inside the ramen restaurant](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3613/3303909630_2f9a6808c9_o.jpg)
![Our ramen lunch Our ramen lunch](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3303085833_3f559af8db_o.jpg)
![Miso Ramen Miso Ramen](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/3303913538_a881a5bfb6_o.jpg)
![Soy ramen Soy ramen](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3303913076_854f2aaabe_o.jpg)
![Marks serving with extra char siew Marks serving with extra char siew](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3303909544_eb0f81d6f8_o.jpg)
![Loisir hotel automated multi-storey carpark Loisir hotel automated multi-storey carpark](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3563/3303915890_5d7b9bc411_o.jpg)
![loading the car loading the car](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3504/3303080589_eda5d3bb15_o.jpg)
![Up it goes for storage! Up it goes for storage!](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3303081947_3833cda95f_o.jpg)
![checking in checking in](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3303910136_15b8036cfb_o.jpg)
![hotel room hotel room](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3303914176_44d92fba7b_o.jpg)
![Shopping for fruits Shopping for fruits](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3303913812_b82eddf3d9_o.jpg)
![Nice Japanese fruit beverages Nice Japanese fruit beverages](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3303085039_e71a1da987_o.jpg)
![Our dinner spread Our dinner spread](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3303086019_89ffaa09e4_o.jpg)
![Some prawn that Mark likes to eat Some prawn that Mark likes to eat](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3303086705_30e23e99f0_o.jpg)
![Ebi tempura bento Ebi tempura bento lunch](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/3303911206_cccee65c56_o.jpg)
![Beef tendon Beef tendon](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3303080923_521b341f21_o.jpg)
![sushi sushi](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3303084421_5534e6eb6e_o.jpg)
![giant barbequed chicken thigh giant barbequed chicken thigh](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3303082641_91d6c3e7dc_o.jpg)
![Hokkaido grapes Hokkaido grapes](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3303081409_32165b1d0e_o.jpg)
![Creamy sponge cake desert Alvinology goes to Japan - Day 3 of 14 - Alvinology](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3303911420_516e630bd9_o.jpg)
Stay tuned for my day 4 blog entry. 🙂 Meanwhile, you can read my previous blog entries on the trip if you have missed them:
Day 1 – Kansai Airport, Hokkaido
Day 1 – Kansai Airport, Hokkaido
Day 3 – Asahikawa, Asahiyama Zoo
Day 4 – Sledding, Shiroi Koibito, Crab Buffet
Day 5 – The 60th Sapporo Snow Festival
Day 6 – Staying with the Asai, Shōnan
Day 8 – Shibuya and Akihabara, Tokyo
Day 12 – Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and Dotonbori
Day 13 – Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and Mt. Rokko
Technorati Tags: hokkaido travel, hokkaido, japan travel, alvinology goes to japan, mark tan, hua meiyen, rachel chan, onigiri, nissan wingroad, asahikawa, otaru, charcoal grilled scallop, letao chocolate, letao, two-colour corn, hokkaido corn, totoro, asahiyama zoo, 旭山動物園, penguin march, asahiyama penguin march, king penguin, gentoo penguin, baby king penguin, polar bear, puffer fish, fugu, two snares penguin, humboldt penguin, japanese crane, japanese brown bear, arctic lion, snow leopard, snow cheetah, sea seals, sea lions, siberian tiger, red panda, snow wolf, japanese wolves, japanese monkeys, orang utan, japanese ramen, shio ramen, salt ramen, miso ramen, soy ramen, loisir hotel, ebi tempura bento, beef tendon
Happy feet!!! So cute!!!
Awww! the penguins were so cute!, gotta try one of those ramen and the winter onsen sometime!