Blogs from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, Asia

I am actually partway though writing a proper, chronological blog entry, but I felt the need to interrupt my regular (if sporadic) musings to share one of my New Favourite Things. If you have lived with me, or known me in certain contexts, you will probably know that I like baths. Imagine my joy at learning that there was a traditional Japanese bath in the hostel I was staying! Imagine my disappointment and disgust when I learned that it was for MEN ONLY. I could shower if I wanted, but would have to pay. That was my third worst accomodation experience since leaving New Zealand, fourth if you count the plane trip over. Osaka redeemed itself by providing me with a bath at my next hostel. It was a bit scary the first time; there are ... read more

In Tokushima, warmer days are signalling spring's return. But in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, walls of snow coat the rural landscapes as well as the skyscrapers of its capital city. Two weeks ago, a group of JETs plus Francesca, my sorority sister-turned-fellow-Asia-explorer, braved this frigid frontier to see Sapporo's annual snow festival: Yuki Matsuri. Alight with ice and snow sculptures, festival food and activities like ice skating, tubing and a giant ski-jump slope, the wintery city seemed to smile. In between festival exploits, I'd like to think I also experienced some of the distinct culture of Hokkaido and its native Ainu people. Before it became part of Japan, the island was a separate country with a history reminiscent of that of Native Americans in North America. In one Ainu shop, I learned to say ... read more

Nakajima Park We got up at 8 o'clock on 18 May and started doing sightseeing at 9:30. We begin strolling through Nakajima Park. Typical Japanese cherry blossoms, i.e. someiyoshino seemed to have been out and we enjoyed looking at them. Nakajima Park was recently awarded as one of the 100 famous city parks in Japan, and the park possessed the tranquil ponds, winding streams, stylish sculptures, and various types of shrubs and trees, and it was home to many species of birds and wildlife. My parents planned strolling through Nakajima Park at first like us. We saw them in the park and my mother sketching. There were several fine buildings in Nakajima Park, i.e. Kitara Concert Hall, Planetarium, Literature Museum. While rambling along the brook, we found a very striking ultramarine blue mansion, i.e. Hoheikan. We ... read more

Ahhhh when I think of Sapporo the beer always brings back good memories! I spent three days in Sapporo in a nice little business hotel which provided everything one could need included a WICKED free breakfast!! Having arrived late on the first day on the 9th Feb, we ventured into Sapporo to discover the first site for the Ice Festival. There were three sites in total consisting of various ice sculptures which looked different in the day compared to the night! Temperatures were well below freezing but we also seeked refuge in underground shopping streets or 7/11 stores! After dinner, we hit the sack as the first day was going to be a belter! Having seen two of the sites already, we decided to hit the Sapporo beer museum and one of the many sake museums, ... read more

On the last day of Sapporo trip I woke around 9am (I got to sleep in!). After grabbing a quick bite to eat, a friend and I made our way to the JR Tower. On the 38th floor of the tower is 360 degree view of Sapporo! Viewing conditions the night before were not very good, but in the morning they were perfect! It was unbelievable looking down at the city. I never knew it was so massive (and so flat!!). The city stretched as far as the eye could see, and out of that city grew a large chain of mountains in the South. We spent about an hour there, and decided to leave at the perfect time because at that point it started to snow. From the tower we made our way to the ... read more

After a 15-hour boat ride to Hokkaido, I have come to the conclusion that I'm not the kind of person who should go on a cruise. Now that that's been said, let me start at the beginning. The group that I was going with met up at about 7pm, Friday February 5th, to catch the ship leaving at 7:40pm from Sendai Port. The ship was so big; I've never been on a boat that size so I didn't now what to expect, but wow! I'd been forewarned by a friend that I might not get a bed on the ship unless I was going 1st class (from her experience) so I was reasonably prepared for less-than-pleasant conditions (I brought a pillow). So I was pleasantly surprised when we entered our room and saw beds! (The pillow ... read more

As of tomorrow, there are only four more days of school left until I leave for home. And, sad as I am to be leaving Japan, I will be so very, very, happy to be on my house with my oven again. Ecstatically happy to be reunited with my oven again. Sorry everyone. _ Also, as a result of of the short time span I have left here, Naganuma-sensei has been planning my days like mad to include various club activities and electives. She's so considerate, especially since she has a lot of grading to do being the end of the semester! Arigatuou gozaimashita!!!! *^_^* Today I was able to participate in kendo club, which is taught by Naganuma-sensei. =D It was really fun, but also super tiring. Swinging a bamboo blade up and down for ... read more

Mioka and her family love karaoke. Like, really, really, love it. Mioka and I had to be at school on Saturday due to it being the 60th anniversary, but Mioka's mother and brother went to sing at the local karaoke joint. The 60th anniversary "celebration" took place in a concert hall by Odori Station, and consisted of speeches and a concert. Many of the previous principles and staff were there to make appearances, and each of the four principles had to make a speech. Speeches alone took about and hour to and hour and a half! Not the most interesting thing in the world, no matter where you are. After the speeches concluded, there was a "twenty minute" intermission, which didn't actually last for twenty minutes. It was just the time frame given to band students ... read more