Concluded my first ever winter experience one week ago

It was magical

Some shots of places I went

- Hokkaido University

- Hill of The Buddha

- Jozankei Onsen

- Sapporo Snow Festival

- Sapporo Clock Tower

- Otaru

- Asahiyama Zoo

- Shirahige Waterfall

If you’re traveling solo in Japan and have ever felt a little self-conscious eating or sitting alone, this might be reassuring: there’s a kissaten (old-school Japanese coffee house) in Sapporo called Carmel-do that’s built specifically around solo seating. You’re not squeezed in next to strangers — even if you come with someone, you’re seated separately, and quiet conversation is the norm rather than the exception.
A few practical details if you’re interested:
• It’s on the 6th floor of a building near Odori (a bit hidden, which is part of the charm)
• Cash only, no reservations, no smoking
• Their French toast is popular and sells out early on weekdays
• The menu is literally shaped like a small paperback book — a nice detail even if you don’t read Japanese
I wrote up a fuller guide (with photos) if anyone wants more detail before visiting — happy to share the link if useful, just didn’t want this to feel like a drive-by ad.

1st pic: Hokkaido University Oct 29
2nd pic: Sapporo Factory Oct 30
3rd pic: Hokkaido University Oct 29
4th pic: Hokkaido University Oct 29

Good luck

... after a week or so of daily snowfall. Sapporo is above last year's average and the normal yearly average. As many of you know, cars, trains, buses and planes were all struck by delays and cancellations. That said, there is beauty to it as well.

@ Gapaou phra chan

I did! It was as awesome as always (but since I'm not a tourist, it wasn't as awe inspiring as it could have been)! Also, I go by my lonesome every year, so I just quickly go through all the sculptures without caring much about anything else. 😆

It meant a lot to come back here and relive the moment. It’s been almost 20 years since the first photo was taken and my dad passed away a few years ago.

Thank you to u/Ready-Indication-902 for being a pro at locating this spot! 🙏

I’m not a fan of shoveling, but I’ve never been this deep into the season before having to really shovel. It feels weird

I've been stuck here since 3pm. Trains have been mostly cancelled, taxis and buses are struggling to keep up. Looks like it will continue well into the evening.

Overdued photo when I travelled Sapporo. Truly enjoyed my trip. And here are the local food I ate:

1. Miso Butter Ramen

2. Kaisendon (my favourite Japanese food)

3. Jingisukan (Japanese gritted mutton/lamb)

4. Little unprofessional, curry soup I ate from the hotel.

5. Ishikari Nabe (Japanese Salmon hot pot)

6. Shiroi Koibito ice cream

There are often questions about shoes and walking in Sapporo in the winter, so I thought I'd add a few photos and descriptions here for people to see what it's been like the past couple of weeks and what to expect.

I've put them in order, where the first four photos are in the central downtown area, and after that, not directly downtown but just a few blocks out.

You can see that sometimes sidewalks are heated and in those cases are completely dry as in photo 1, but as you can see in photo 2, the next section over might not be and have 10-20cm of compacted snow and ice, which is very slippery. If you stick to the central downtown areas, this is mostly what you'll see.

Photos 3 and 4 show corners on warmish days, 2-5 degrees. Slush can form on sidewalks, and deep puddles will form as many drains are blocked by snow and ice. Your shoes are likely to get wet, a bad day for sneakers. Photo 5 is the sidewalk on one of these slightly warmer days, slushy and icy. You can see the tracks from people pulling their wheeled luggage through. Wheels will turn, but might get stuck with ice.

Photo 6 shows what I consider the worst of it. Compacted snow and ice, 10-20cm thick. This is rutted and quite slippery. Most sidewalks outside of the central downtown will look like this. They are rarely heated, and while some might get shoveled, the snow layers build over the winter season. If you are going to the snow festival in February, all of Odori Park will be like this.

Photos 7 and 8 show sidewalks after a snowfall. In both cases, the snow can be a bit mushy as it has not been compacted yet by people walking on it, though it isn't wet since these days were cold enough for the snow to fall and stay. It's slippery, but not very much so. Wheeled luggage tracks are in photo 7. Those days when snow is light wheeled luggage tends to do ok, but on days like photo 8 when it's deeper, your wheels won't turn well, and the luggage will be dragged across the snow.

People responding to the shoe question on the sub will often say sneakers may be ok for downtown, but waterproof and warm boots are best. You can see now why this is the most common response.

"Hey siri, play Catrin (Liverpool Street Station) by Fred Again.."

I was just in Japan for the first time last month, and I honestly felt spoiled by Sapporo and Otaru as I ended my trip in Tokyo. I plan to go back again in the Winter time, ideally as early as new years, or around the end of January to see the snow.

Hope you enjoy the pic I snagged from my first night walking to Ramen Alley!

So here's my story.

Last month, I got a new job, and they gave me two weeks before my start date. So I randomly decided to fly to Sapporo.

Honestly, it was probably the craziest thing I've ever done. I bought my ticket just two days before my flight and left. Just like that lol It was such a last-minute decision that I barely had time to pack.

It was also my very first solo trip ever. I'd done exchange semester before, but I'd never actually traveled completely on my own. (fyi, not a big fan of flights)

Sapporo had always been my dream destination for the silliest reasons: I love snow, cold weather, the sea... and potatoes. 🥔
I spent six days in Hokkaido and visited Sapporo, Otaru, Noboribetsu, and Biei. (hopefully I spelled all of those right)

Looking back, I'm so glad I made that impulsive decision.
I'm typing this from my office now, and I already miss those six days more than I expected. Funny how a place you've only visited once can end up feeling like home.

Anyways! I just wanted to share a few little pieces of my trip with you guys. \

人生1の素敵な景色を見に行きました✨

場所：神威岬(Kamui misaki)

Good morning Sapporo. Taking a train from Hakodate to Sapporo, was supposed to arrive at 16 yesterday but it’s 6 am now and still 2 stations away from Sapporo.

From sunset to sunrise.

Snow is just Magic

Higashiku, pretty much just old houses here.

Brush and ink, coloured in Procreate.

https://x.com/NASAEarth/status/2027424742328717612/photo/1