Feeling like we were one of the last Singaporeans to visit Hokkaido, Japan for the winter season, I decided to time my family vacation with the Sapporo Snow Festival which ran from 4 to 11 February this year. We flew into Sapporo (New Chitose Airport) via a stopover at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Our first stop was the popular hot spring town, Noboribetsu Onsen.
Exploring Hokkaido
You can travel around Hokkaido via public transport (ie, bus or train), or hire a car and drive around on your own. Donan Bus is one of the bus companies in Hokkaido providing connection services from the airport to Noboribetsu. As we arrived early, we decided to take the bus to the Shiomizaka bus stop for a shuttle bus transfer to the onsen town instead of waiting for the direct bus service.
The staff at the Donan Bus counter (located within the terminal as travellers exit security counters) had all the necessary information printed in English. Announcements were also made in English when the bus closed in to the transfer stop. It must have been a very popular time of the year to visit; even though we were first in line at the bus stop, the bus was quite full with everyone boarded and luggage spilled out the central aisle. On the local bus, you collect a ticket when you board and move to the front to pay in cash when you deposit the ticket to alight. Many buses also allow the use of IC transport cards such as Suica or similar. On trains and buses in Hokkaido, it is often possible to scan on boarding and pay electronically on alighting. We got off the bus right in front of Hotel Mahoroba, where we were staying at for the night.
After checking in, we wandered into town to visit Enamken Ramen for a lunch of local spicy ramen and beer before walking over to Jigokudani (Hell Valley) where one can see steam vents from the hot springs in the area. Having explored the town and its offerings, we returned to the hotel to enjoy its outdoor public baths.The public baths are separated by gender, and which gender the baths are assigned to changes on alternate days. Soaking in the warm outdoor bath, with its therapeutic waters, in freezing cold temperatures amid snow flurries is a unique experience. We soon worked up an appetite. Hotel Mahoroba offered a half-board package (including breakfast and dinner buffets), where we enjoyed beef steak and unlimited Hokkaido crab legs.
The next day we took a taxi from our hotel to Noboribetsu Station and caught a rapid train to Sapporo. Our next stop was Jozankei Onsen town, where we stayed at Grand Blissen Hotel. Many of the hotels in Jozankei offer free bus transfers from Sapporo train station. We walked about the town and park, where people enjoyed the public footbaths (bring your towel to enjoy this). In the evening, we caught the light installation, Yukitouro (Snow Candle Way), at the Jozankei Shrine.
On returning to Sapporo, we stayed at Keio Prelia Hotel which was located within walking distance of the Sapporo train station, allowing for convenient day trips. On one of the mornings, we went ice-fishing on the Barato river – an activity booked using the Klookapp.We were met at the Sapporo train station by English-speaking guides who took us by bus to a restaurant where we were provided with waterproof boots and snow pants.The guide showed us how to fish with little fishing poles and live bait. I was lucky as I caught four smelt, which were freshly cooked tempura-style and delicious. Fret not even if you do not catch anything, as the half-day tour includes a steak lunch at the restaurant!
The highlight of the trip
As our main objective was to visit the Snow Festival in Odori Park and Susukino, we relocated to another hotel, La'gent Stay Sapporo Odori.This was also one of the hotels with pick-up services available, when we arranged our snowmobiling and snow park activities at Wonderland Sapporo.
The location of the hotel is ideal as it is near the covered Tanuki Koji Shopping Street about one block away from the underground Pole Town shopping area which leads to Sapporo Station (approximately 1.2 km away). We went to Nijo Market for one of our breakfasts. We chose a king crab from the fishmonger and were ushered into the partnering restaurant (Syokudo and Teishoku restaurant 三蒲商店) where the crab was prepared. Besides cooked crab, we had delicious tuna and salmon-egg rice bowls, and medium-fatty tuna sashimi. I recommend that visitors bargain for a discount from the listed prices.
On the opening day of the Snow Festival, we went early to Odori Park to see the snow sculptures that were stretched out over 12 city blocks. One of the sections included an international snow sculpture contest and we were thrilled to see the Singapore team in action.
We continued walking through Odori Park and enjoyed shopping in the area. Notably, tourists to Japan can enjoy tax-free shopping, subject to minimum spending. Soon it was evening again and we decided to eat at a nearby izakaya (a casual dining and drinking place) where we enjoyed Hokkaido fried chicken and oden. After dinner, we walked further to the Susukino area to see the ice sculptures. Here too there was an ice sculpture competition.
Time truly flies when you are having fun. After breakfast the next day, we took a slow walk in the underground mall with our luggage and visited Daimaru departmental store for some last-minute souvenir shopping. We then set off on the rapid train for New Chitose Airport. On that day, however, there were multiple flight delay alerts as Haneda Airport had received heavy snowfall. Fortunately, we arrived early enough at New Chitose Airport and the staff rescheduled us on an "earlier"flight, where we arrived in Haneda just slightly past our original flight time. However, the flight leaving for Singapore was equally delayed and we flew into Singapore only several hours after our scheduled time.
Lunch at Enamken Ramen with local beer
Snowmobiling with the family
Lightshow Yukitouro (Snow Candle Way)
Travel notes
- There have been no direct flights to Sapporo since the COVID-19 pandemic but Singapore Airlines offers occasional direct flights.
- No visas are needed for Singaporeans travelling to Japan. You can expedite immigration procedures by registering yourself at the Visit Japan website (https://services.digital.go.jp/en/ visit-japan-web/.) prior to travel. Get a QR code for each member of your party.
- You can add a Suica IC transport card to your Apple Wallet (allowing top-ups using a credit card) for bus and train travels in Hokkaido, where accepted. It also functions as a prepaid card accepted for payments at selected stores.
- Get reserved seating train tickets as these train cars have luggage racks for use.
- Dress warmly in layers as temperature are belowzero degree Celsius during winter. For outdoor activities, snow pants and windproof jackets are best. I found the warmest thermal underwear suitable and also had snow wear from Uniqlo and Decathlon.