Hokkaido 北海道 Day 1

For winter break, my friends Chi, Erin, and Ryan decided to travel to the northern island of Japan: Hokkaido. We anticipated much eating of crab ("kani")/Hokkaido dairy products/ramen noodles (if you're thinking Cup of Noodles, think again!), relaxation in the famous Japanese onsens, and---freezing weather. I, the wimpy Californian, found it much too cold from my natural habitat, but Chi and Ryan from Minnesota and Wisconsin found it surprisingly similar to their hometowns! (The lowest I think must have been 0 degrees Celsius...not so cold in retrospect.) Now, keep in mind, this whole trip was a package tour, meaning we didn't have to worry about travel or most of the costs, but the traveling on bus with a tour-guide speaking 100% Japanese! It ended up being a great time, however, as it was only us 4 foreigners and one other Japanese family of 4 with the most adorable children ever. We all had some fun times together being a small little group on the giant charter bus.

Our first day began in central Hokkaido. We traveled by airplane not more than a couple hours from Tokyo. Having been a little sick with a cold, I decided to wear the mask that all Japanese wear when they are even the slightest bit sick, out of courtesy to others. Initially seeming a little ridiculous and dramatic to me, I really came to like how it felt having 80% of my face covered when all you wanted to do was comfortably breathe out your mouth with a stuffed up nose (and if you don't want to be so noticeable as a foreigner!) Later, I also discovered it to be very helpful in keeping my face warm in the snow! I may just take some back to the U.S., but I might appear like I have SARS if I actually wear it there.

(Check out the Japanese dude behind me!)

We arrived at the airport and swiftly and efficiently (so Japanese) made our way on the bus towards the Northern Horse Park. I'm still unsure what the point of this place was, but it was a gorgeous first stop to make in Hokkaido. Erin and Ryan kept remarking how much it felt like the mid-west. We played in the snow, pet the horses in the stables, and poor, kitty-deprived me, found a fat Japanese cat to play with. Unfortunately, I don't think he was excited about our play date as I was.Most cats in Japan have the same attitude. Unfortunately, I will just have to wait until I return home to get my kitty fix.

We stopped next at Noboribetsu-onsen Hot Spring (not the kind of onsen you sit in!), also known as Hell's Valley. It surely was a "hellish" sight, as steam billowed out of the boiling water like smoke. My camera lens got so steamy, many of my pictures came out with a very hazy effect. (Sure, I meant to do that).Erin and I came across some pretty amazing "Engrish" (what I like to call Japanese English translation gone wrong), so we made sure to document it.

"It notes, it gets wet, and it slips".
Thanks for the warning?

We made our way to our first hotel, and it was AMAZING. We had payed a little extra to stay in this place solely for the paradise onsen experience it offered. Onsens have become one of my favorite things to do when I have the chance to stay in a hotel in Japan, as most traditional style hotels have them and you need not pay if you are a guest. They are public baths (the only ones I have encountered are single-sex!) and require nudity...eek! Once you get over the fear of being the only non-Asian walking around naked for Japanese people to stare at, it becomes the most relaxing experience ever. There were indoor baths, and outdoor baths, ranging from jacuzzi bubbles to natural hot spring, medicinal baths to electricity baths (?). Chi and I explored the onsen that night before and after dinner. We couldn't get away! If only I could take pictures...nope, that would be awkward. The outdoor onsens were our favorite! Out of the steam and intense heat of the indoor onsen room, we stepped out into the freezing cold of the outside and waded into the natural looking pool nestled between rocks and plantlife. Only a moment later, snow started to fall very lightly. It was the most perfect, magical moment. After feeling completely loosened up and refreshed, Chi and I decided to try out the water-slide pool. Yes, they had a shallow bath outside with 3 water-slides dropping into it. It was totally strange, but oh so fun flying down a slide naked in freezing outdoor temperatures! We had a great laugh, and couldn't wait to try again after dinner!That night we got into our yukatas (cotton kimono-like pajamas to wear around the hotel) and enjoyed a buffet-style crab dinner. Stuffed with delicious food and sleepy from the onsen, we ended the night like a sleepover on the floor in our futons (Japanese traditional-style "beds") like kids in sleeping bags.
Only after checking out the game center on the first floor, of course.