We don’t know how long this series will last, but one thing is certain. Hokkaido’s winter is surreal.
We aim to keep this series concise and focused, highlighting the photos and memorable experiences from our first winter together. I have yet to complete the posts from our trips last year, but here I am, diving into this season’s adventures.
Having grown up in the warm, tropical climate, experiencing winter is a luxury. For many, savoring such a distinct season requires booking a flight to snow-covered destinations. This often means investing in relatively expensive travel to places like Japan, Korea, various regions in Europe and Canada, and specific areas in the United States.
After two legs of our flight (MNL-HND-CTS), we arrived in Sapporo via Chitose’s new airport. We took a rapid train to Sapporo (JPY 1,100 for non-reserved, JPY 1800 for reserved seating), which took about 40 minutes, and then walked a few more minutes to reach our hotel near Nakajimakoen (Nakajima Park). Every street was covered in snow, with occasional puddles of water and slippery areas that made our walk to the hotel extra challenging. To make things worse, we were hauling two large pieces of luggage with us.
We finally arrived at our hotel. After a quick rest and bath, we decided to visit Odori Park, one of the three sites that host Sapporo City’s annual Snow Festival, alongside the Susukino and Tsudome sites. We took the Sapporo metro (JPY 210 per passenger per way), which took less than ten minutes from our station.
We witnessed enormous and intricately detailed sculptures crafted from snow and ice. Iconic characters lined the 1.5 km stretch of Odori Park, featuring beloved characters from Pokémon, the Kewpie mayonnaise mascot, Rimuru from “That Time I Was Reincarnated as a Slime,” Monster Hunter Wilds, and many more.
In addition to the sculptures, various food stalls were throughout the park. We eagerly tried everything that piqued our curiosity, including fresh venison curry served with hot rice, buttery hot potatoes, Hokkaido milk, and ice cream, among other delights. The festival is free, allowing you to enjoy as much as you want throughout the week of the festivities.
It was getting late, and the sun was about to set at 16:40. Snow started to fall. It’s time to visit Odori Park’s most visited site: The Sapporo TV Tower.
