Hello! This is Kazu from the Yokochō Tour. I’ve just posted a weekend article—cheers to that! 🍺 Let’s toast again this evening! 🍺
Today, I’ll continue writing about *regional snack bars*, starting with my snack bar experiences in Hokkaido.
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**Hokkaido Snack Bar Adventure**
When you think of Hokkaido, you probably imagine its vast nature, snow, and delicious seafood and cuisine. I’ve been there to enjoy the finest powder snow for snowboarding and to savor the amazing local food.
In Sapporo, the nightlife in Susukino is legendary, known as the northern entertainment district that never sleeps. There’s no doubt you’ll meet many interesting people if you visit snack bars here.
**Meeting People at a Sapporo Snack Bar**
I visited a snack bar in Sapporo called *Snack Sugar*, run by a Mama and Master who have been in business for over 35 years. On my first visit, I was introduced to regulars, including the president of a local gourmet restaurant and the owner of a souvenir shop. These business owners are frequent visitors to the bar.
Thanks to this great connection, I visited their establishments the next day and enjoyed some absolutely delicious food—plus, I received some special freebies!
The key is to return to the same snack bar the next day, share stories about your experience, and bring a little gift. By doing this, I was welcomed into the circle of regulars. And the result was…
**Hokkaido Drinks**
If there’s one drink you must try in Hokkaido, it’s *Sapporo Classic* draft beer. You can find the cans in Tokyo these days, but nothing beats having a cold glass of draft beer in Hokkaido!
Snack bars offer a wide variety of drinks, including local specialties like potato shochu.
I even got to try a drink called “Sugar,” named after the bar itself.
**The Second Day at a Sapporo Snack Bar**
What happened after I visited *Snack Sugar* two nights in a row? Well, the Master and Mama became like my Hokkaido father and mother! They treated me to delicious home-cooked meals, ordered fresh crab for me, and even packed me a luxury bento box when I mentioned that my hotel didn’t serve breakfast.
After my trip, we continued to exchange summer and winter greetings, and they even sent me amazing gifts like premium Yubari melons and corn. For the first time as an adult, I found myself writing letters to someone.
Now, whenever I visit Hokkaido, I always stop by to see my “Hokkaido parents.” I hope you, too, will find a special Mama or Papa on your travels, creating lifelong memories and connections like I did.
**Want to Experience Snack Bars?**
There’s a tour that lets you easily experience snack bars! It’s a rare chance to visit two different snack bars in one night.
If you’re curious about snack bars and want to learn more, join our *Snack Bar Tour*! I’ll personally take you to two of my recommended spots and share my experiences in the snack bar world.
Come and explore the exciting world of snack bars with me on the Snack Bar Tour!
