Mark Does Japan: Day 6

22 October 2025 Filed in: Photography | Travel

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

After yesterday’s insanity today was a relaxing day, only a transfer to Sapporo, on another limited express train, followed by a visit to Hokkaido University and its Botanic Garden.

So first things first the train, Limited Express Lilac. Similar to yesterday’s but a couple of carriages longer and this time I travelled Green Class. I didn’t really need to as standard reserved is nice enough but I was bringing my suitcase and I hoped there would be more space. Well there wasn’t luggage storage and no extra space around the feet so I put it on the overhead rack. I must remember to pack heavy stuff near the spine of the bag but it didn’t move and was fine.

The front of thise train is very green, and it is labelled "Sapporo" with an image of a clock tower.

Train by Kermit

Inside the "Green car" showing 1-2 seating configuration and my standard sized suitcase sitting comfortably in the overhead rack space

1-2 seating in Green Class

No check in until 3pm so off for some walkies.

Inside the University grounds there are rules for people visiting to see the autumn leaves

There are rules

The University had security staff along Ginkgo Avenue to encourage obeyance of the rules, and to stop trucks parking, but the 3rd one came under some stress. They had also roped off the road to help with the last one. And while I might have been early to see the avenue in its full glory it wasn’t bad.

Gingko Avenue lives up to the name with gingko trees on either side of the road providing a yellow canopy above it

A tunnel of autumnal colour

Also because fire hydrants can be interesting here is one of theirs. I don’t know what is going on with that pole.

A yellow painted fire hydrant with an attached lollypop pole that strangely bends out and back in again near the top of the hydrant. There is also a straight pole behind it.

I can’t explain the pole

Lots of interesting colour as I walked around.

red maple leaves

Some red

Some orange leaves

Some orange

Testing the fisheye looking up into the coloured canopy

That fisheye lens again

Recently dropped leaves can also make for interesting photos when they are a collection of different colours and they have dropped onto green grass

And some multi-coloured leave litter

Off the main road I spied a lily pond and while it wasn’t remarkable in itself there was a reflection that I played around with.

There was a large tree with orange leaves at the end of the pond and its reflection in the pond kept me occupied for awhile as I tried to capture it within the lilies.

Reflection in a lily pond

A wider shot of the scene that includes the tree making the reflection in the pond

Zoom out that lily pond scene

That’s it for today, a lazy foliage day in Sapporo.

PS This is the view from my room. Sapporo is big.

The view from my hotel room demonstrates that Sapporo isn't very tall but it stretches out into the distance. Also the hotel is avoid the station and I could watch the building works for what I imagine is the Shinkansen line and station

And yes I can hear the trains from the 32nd floor

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