Now, the Sapporo Snow Festival takes place every year from February 5th to February 11th. They start building some of the bigger snow sculptures in January however, and it is easy to see why. Everything you see there is made out of snow and ice and done very well I might add. Since this is a busy time of year, if you are planning to attend, I suggest you make your reservations well in advance. Looking for a deal that includes flight and hotel might be your best option. Be warned however, the hotel rooms in Japan are very small so don't bring a lot of luggage or unnecessary things.
Flying to Sapporo was easy as cake. It only took two hours to get there and the flight was relatively smooth. Or so I assume, I was asleep for most of it. I have to say though, I think I am getting better at flying.
My airplane arrived at the New Chitose Airport at around 3pm and contrary to first impressions it is rather large. You can find plenty of restaurants, with incredibly high prices, and many souvenir stores and markets that sell huge crab.
As I found out after wondering around the airport, and later through the city, crab is a specialty of Hokkaido. You can find Crab ramen, crockets, soups, and the such almost anywhere. I recommend that you try it at least once before you head back home. Of course, if you plan on buying crab at the airport, you might want to do it on your way back. I'm not even sure if you can bring crab on an airplane. Would you have to check it in or can it be carry on? I mean, look at it! That's my carry on bag right in front of it, its clearly carry on size.
Anyways, after arriving at the airport I found a ticket counter for the bus. You can either take the bus or the JR train into town, both stations are located conveniently at the airport. I took the bus of course and immediately wished I had decided to take the train when I went outside to wait for the bus.
It was incredibly cold. I think the flight attendant said it was 1 Celsius right before we got off the plane. I was freezing. I had to go back in and put on some more clothing! Thankfully the bus was nice and warm and the ride into the city wasn't so bad. I sat right next to some very helpful ladies that told me how to get to my hotel from my bus stop.
I still managed to get lost on the way to the hotel but they were very helpful ladies non the less.
Now, having gotten a little disoriented in town, I quickly found myself walking through snow covered streets and sidewalks. It was snowing too which made the experience oddly entertaining. I don't know why it was entertaining but I can only assume that it was the immense cold and the sound of crunching snow under my feet.
Speaking of feet, before going to such a place, you might want to invest on some snow shoes or shoes that will help you not slip. In what it took me to find my way to my hotel, I slipped and fell four times. Thankfully, I was wearing so much clothing that my bum was well cushioned.
As I continued to wonder through the city trying to find my hotel, I managed to find Odori Park. That is where the Snow Festival is held. It is twelve blocks of nothing but snow sculptures, souvenir shops, food stands, and people having fun and taking pictures. However, since I was still carrying my luggage and was in all honesty tired, I decided to first find my hotel. Best thing about finding Odori Park was that I knew my hotel was only two blocks north from there.
I still had to ask though, mainly because as I said, Odori Park is twelve blocks long. I needed to figure out which block I was on. As luck would have it though, I was on the first block so my hotel was literally two blocks north and then a quick turn to the left.
That will be all for today folks, I will post more tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
Until then folks, keep on reading!
Anyways, after arriving at the airport I found a ticket counter for the bus. You can either take the bus or the JR train into town, both stations are located conveniently at the airport. I took the bus of course and immediately wished I had decided to take the train when I went outside to wait for the bus.
I still managed to get lost on the way to the hotel but they were very helpful ladies non the less.
Now, having gotten a little disoriented in town, I quickly found myself walking through snow covered streets and sidewalks. It was snowing too which made the experience oddly entertaining. I don't know why it was entertaining but I can only assume that it was the immense cold and the sound of crunching snow under my feet.
Speaking of feet, before going to such a place, you might want to invest on some snow shoes or shoes that will help you not slip. In what it took me to find my way to my hotel, I slipped and fell four times. Thankfully, I was wearing so much clothing that my bum was well cushioned.
As I continued to wonder through the city trying to find my hotel, I managed to find Odori Park. That is where the Snow Festival is held. It is twelve blocks of nothing but snow sculptures, souvenir shops, food stands, and people having fun and taking pictures. However, since I was still carrying my luggage and was in all honesty tired, I decided to first find my hotel. Best thing about finding Odori Park was that I knew my hotel was only two blocks north from there.
I still had to ask though, mainly because as I said, Odori Park is twelve blocks long. I needed to figure out which block I was on. As luck would have it though, I was on the first block so my hotel was literally two blocks north and then a quick turn to the left.
That will be all for today folks, I will post more tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
Until then folks, keep on reading!
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