For someone like me who likes cold and snow, Hokkaido was like being a small kid again playing with the snow. Everywhere was covered with snow, which makes things look more pretty and dangerous! After a few days this snow becomes ice, and all the sidewalks and streets become an ice skating adventure.We went to Sapporo to see the snow and ice sculptures festival, to Otaru where we got hit with a snow storm and saw the handmade snow light-up, and I will never forget Hakodate's fabulous view from the mountain.
Here is our Diary...
Day 1: The early birds are leaving home and suddenly Osaka was all "dressed" in white. The highway was closed because of so much snow. We arrived to Sapporo in time for typical Sapporo soup (soba). We spent the afternoon and evening walking around the Snow Festival. It was impressive. Due to the snow fall over the week, many sculptures didn't look so good any more. So, if you go there next time make sure you go in the first days. For dinner we tried many different types of raw fish (sashimi), but I don't even know many of the names of the fish.
Day 2: We went skiing on the second day. I've been really looking forward to doing this for a long time. I'm still a beginner but I love skiing. While I was making some progress with my ski technique, my wife was enjoying the gorgeous view and hot drinks at the cafeteria. At the end of the 7-hour skiing day I was exhausted, and after a long day on the slopes, there is nothing better than all-you-can-eat-crab, sushi and tempura!!! That meal refilled my energy level.
Day 3: A day trip to Otaru. And what a day it was... I enjoyed a magnificent train ride. There was a mountain on one side, and the sea on the other. It was exquisite!! Several times during the day we were hit with some snow storms but this did not prevent us from having a great time. TV news were saying it snowed around 80cm of fresh snow just that day. It is a very small town with many small shops and cute streets, and you could see different snowmen and snow light-ups everywhere.
Day 4: We went to Hakodate in the early morning, had raw squid in the fish market and strolled downtown. We finished the day on top of a mountain looking at the splendid view of downtown Hakodate.
Day 5: One our last day, we went up the tower next to the Goryo-kaku for our last pics and one more seafood lunch. Then it was time to return to Osaka.
We didn't have time this trip, but next time we will certainly try some hot springs.Seafood was really good everywhere.Of the three places we visited, I liked Otaru the best. Because it was the best train ride I have ever experienced, and I will never forget the small cute streets filled with snowmen and snow light-ups. I had no expectations about this place and maybe that's why I liked it so much.Hokkaido, we'll be back!
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