Shiroi Koibito is a must-visit! This chocolate-themed entertainment park takes you back to the old English Victorian era.
It’s like something out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, an entire theme park that honors the creamy goodness of Hokkaido chocolate. Admittedly, I didn’t plan my trip here but simply stumbled upon it while walking around Sapporo for my last day in Hokkaido.
First Impressions – Do I Need A Ticket?
Shiroi Koibito, named after the European-style Japanese cookie, is a chocolate-themed entertainment park located in Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido.
Upon first entering the brilliant gates of Shiroi Koibito, the first thing I asked myself is “Do I need a ticket to get in?” It turns out there is a “ticket route” and a “visitor route,” so you can opt for the full experience or simply hang around the courtyard to get a vibe of the place.
Victorian-Style Courtyard
You’ll feel like you’ve gone back to the Middle Ages or magically transported into a Shrek movie because as soon as you enter you’ll find yourself surrounded by old Victorian-style buildings with classic traditional European architecture.
Being the cheap man that I am, I decided not to get a ticket as I wasn’t particularly interested in going inside the buildings. Instead, I chose to walk around the courtyard and admire the buildings, bridges, and gardens that give off a Royal Family vibe of some sort.
The Big Ben?
With stunning flower gardens specifically designed for taking photos and selfies in front, it’s no wonder the place was flooded with couples and families.
Perhaps not a perfect replica, but I enjoyed seeing the tall clock tower at Shiroi Koibito which I can only assume was supposed to be the Big Ben in London (credit for trying!).
Delicious Ready-To-Drink Chocolate
I may not have had the full experience of buying the ticket and going into the chocolate factory, but I sure did have a good time without denting my wallet!
Shiroi Koibito is home to an exclusive vending machine that dispenses a rich and creamy chocolate drink in a can!
It may not seem like much, but the taste was the real deal, offering a more “chocolatey” flavor than your standard chocolate milk from the grocery store.
All-in-all, without paying a cent (except for the 200 yen chocolate drink), I managed to get a good feel of the place and take a piece of Shiroi Koibito with me!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!