First Japan, First Sapporo, First Falling Snow – February 2024 ⛷️🇯🇵
Sapporo was an unforgettable destination! After a local flight from Tokyo and a 45-minute train ride, we arrived in this winter wonderland. We stayed at The Knot, a hotel perfectly located near the main areas. The location, food, staff, and ambiance were all spot on.
Odori Park became a favorite stop as we marveled at the falling snow. We devoured countless bowls of ramen and enjoyed beers along the way. The underground shopping areas were surprisingly remarkable, possibly even better designed than Tokyo’s. Weekends felt oddly quiet—like a ghost town—until we discovered everyone was hiding in the underground malls and recreational spots. So cool!
A major highlight was dining at a Filipino-Japanese ramen shop, which blew our taste buds away. We also took a day trip to Niseko for my very first skiing adventure—definitely a memory to treasure. And of course, the snowfall made everything that much more magical!
A few tips for future trips: Skip booking breakfast at the hotel (it gets repetitive), bring anti-slip shoe grips for icy streets, wear waterproof boots, and pack layers of heat tech clothing.
Overall, it was an incredible vacation—and I can’t wait to return! 😂