Winter in Hokkaido : An Experience Too Beautiful to Forget

                         

As we are getting older, there are just some things that we would like to remember but probably due to a lot of stuff going on in our minds, we tend to forget.

I recently spent a winter holiday in Hokkaido with my sister and her family.  I would like to remember it forever. My experience was too beautiful to forget.

                     

Living in a tropical country, you just see snow in movies, tv shows or in post cards.  I've been to a couple of ski resorts, one in Japan and one in South Korea but nothing compares to what I have seen in Hokkaido.

When I was on the train on our way to Otaru, I saw "real" icicles hanging from eaves of the roof of the houses! 

I also saw the ocean merging with the snow.

                   

I once painted a Christmas scene, the snow was on the roof which looked like melted ice cream. I saw it with my own eyes! It really looked like the painting I did several decades ago.

                  

Snow to some people may be an ordinary and everyday occurance but it was really special for me.  I was in awe! So happy! It was a "dream come true" moment.

It would be nice to go back for a vacation but I would not want to live in a place where I have to experience it day in and day out.  Just like the beach.  I love the beach but I just want to visit occassionally.

               One time, it was raining snow!

People might take snow for granted but for me, it was really such a treat. I would like to share some pictures and videos to show you how ecstatic I was while I was on my winter holiday.

                   

I enjoyed the cold weather.  We were walking around at -3 C (feels like -12 C). There were times I had to cover my ears with my hands because I did not have an ear muffs.

                     

                White Illumination at Odori Park

                

                Sapporo TV Tower at Odori Park

German Christmas Market at Odori Park

             We celebrated Ate's birthday in Sapporo.

                       

                    With my niece and nephew

 

Ate and her family - G Family

In Otaru

I experienced my first snowstorm in Otaru.

        Sakaimachi Street, a dining street in Otaru.

My favorite Family Mart was just across the hotel. Every morning, after breakfast, I would buy my snacks for the day and at night, after dinner, we would buy our midnight snacks and desserts.

                 

JR Sapporo train station with lots of restaurants, stores and supermarkets, including Daimaru, Sapporo ESTA, Stellar, Tokyu and underground shopping mall was just 200 meters away from the hotel.  

                      

I was a very happy camper.  I feel so blessed that I was able to scratch it off from my bucket list, to experience snow in Sapporo.

Thank you G Family for letting me tag along! Until the next time! Hopefully, soon!!!