I don't know how it all started, I think it was during one of my conversations with a client and a good friend with both of us exchanging travel notes (yes, I hang out with wanderlusts) when Sapporo came into the picture. I remember him describing a scene that remained in my mind - a whole area of snow sculptures and powdery snow slopes. Somehow, I felt I needed to see this place.
Murphy's Law got me into Sapporo, Japan for a brief stint this early February and perfectly-timed for the 65th Annual Sapporo Snow Festival. The adrenaline junkie in me of course also wanted to do cross-country skiing. Since I travel to multiple destinations at one time and love outdoor sports, admittedly, I do not travel light. I figured logistically it is best for me to fly directly to Sapporo (instead of Tokyo) from Seoul, my previous city destination. Note: Sapporo Snow Festival happens every year during the first two weeks of February.
When things are meant to be, they will happen. Not only did I find through +Trip Advisor a great and centrally-located modern hotel, +Cross Hotel but also the perfect winter weather in Sapporo allowed me the chance to enjoy the musts while here during the winter festival - the famous snow sculptures, the ice sculptures, cross-country skiing.
The atmosphere is definitely Winter Wonderland Japan-style. Locations are well-marked, crowd movement is very orderly, and information booths and heated rest stops are plenty along the walking routes with amazingly, language interpreters on hand! A sign of a primo civilized society is its attention to the needs of everyone - even to the point of having smoking huts and well-maintained toilets around the sculpture sites!
When ones stomach starts to grumble, there's ample outdoor food sections reminiscent of the European Christmas villages offering vin chauds (hot wines) and sakes for a song, hot Japanese food complete with barkers and trinkets for tourists.
Bonus for enjoying the festival for a food lover like me is that I'm able to savor the renowned Hakodate/Hokkaido Ramen and best of all, visit and experience the magic of the city's famous brand - Sapporo Beer and it's Beer Garden. The Sapporo Beer complex is quintessentially-Japanese - a mixture of east and west, Asian style. Picture a traditional German pub serving beer but with Mongolian barbecue. Brilliant!
The Sapporo City government also organizes plenty of indoor activities and exhibits during the week. I was informed by one of the volunteer interpreters of another site where one can learn more about the local culture. I went to check it out and as fate would have it (more about this later), I learned Origami (paper sculpture) and consequently, learned the virtue of patience and the importance of paying attention to details. My lady sensei actually told me that in life, there are no shortcuts. She said, 'you have it in you, you just have to harness it.' She apparently can tell by the outcome of my paper sculptures. Her words will help guide me later on.
One of the best rewards for me having found Cross Hotel is that they have a rooftop Onzen (hot bath) with a great view of the Sapporo cityscape. Hot baths with a view are heaven sent after frolicking in the snow the whole day.
Sapporo Snow Festival is a great experience for all ages. I adored the little munchkins and snow bunnies in their colorful ski suits.The grannies, couples and groupies posing for photos infront of the massive snow sculptures are a sight to behold. It's a wonderful experience.
Getting to and from airport is also surprisingly very easy. Thank goodness for modern technology. One could even get Waze though useless unless you can read Japanese characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed my short trip to Sapporo and experiencing the annual Snow Festival. I was waxing nostalgic during my train ride to Chitose Airport and thanking my lucky stars for giving me the chance to have a great weekend until, clueless, I reached the check-in counter for my flight to Tokyo.
This is when the gods declared I've had too much of a good time, it's time to give something back. Tokyo is having a snowstorm and all flights to and from both Tokyo airports - Haneda and Narita - were cancelled.
A new adventure unfolds...
