I enjoyed travelling on the bullet train but it is quicker to fly to Sapporo (look out for cute Snow Miku things at Chitose airport!!). It wouldn't take up so much time on your trip! :-)
If you have a chance to come to Japan next time, please go to Saitama. There are more sushi in Tokyo than vegetables. The taste also tasted better than ordinary vegetables.
@@cakeswithfaces What came to my mind immediately `` Omiya Bonsai Museum '' with 1,000 year old bonsai Vegetable Sushi "Sansui" `` Yoyama Park '' is famous for its turf cherry blossoms in Chichibu The Railway Museum in Saitama Is it about? I'm sorry you did.
Your videos and explanations are delightful! I watch all the other channels you note in your About section, too. I am happily subscribed! Nice to see different views on Japan experiences from so many people on YT.
Thanks for the tip about the underground shopping street! I'm sure we're going to use it. Flying to Japan tomorrow and will be there for the start of the festival.
I went to the Sapporo Snow Festival in 2011 and met Anthony Bourdain! I flew up from Tokyo, and took non-shinkansen trains all the way back - this was before the Shinkansen went all the way up - so you had to take a private express train at Hakodate to get to Aomori. Decided to take my time and did mostly local trains. Took a little over 2 days. :) I flew up with Peach Airlines and it was less than 2 hours and about 5000 yen. And was one of the most efficient, easiest airplane rides I've ever been on. Announced boarding - everybody gets on the plane in an orderly fashion, stows luggage, sits down, and we took off. The whole boarding process was like 15 min tops. Then you take the train from the airport into Sapporo, which was like an hour. So maybe 3 hours total.
Sounds good, I'd like to try the domestic Japanese airlines some day (I just love their names!). Doesn't surprise me they're so efficient - sound like a great experience.
I was just wondering if the trains to Sapporo from Tokyo were very full during the festival. I am trying to figure out how far in advance to book my tickets for the train trip to Sapporo. I will be using the JR pass so will have to wait until I arrive in Japan to organise it.
They're busier than normal, especially the train from Hakodate to Sapporo - because so many people want to go to the festival! The good news is, you can reserve your seats online before you go, even with JR Pass (that's what I did!) --> www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx
17 days left :D Thanks for the tips. I hope by the time the festival rolls around the weather will be like in the videos. So far they don`t have as much snow as usually.
I've heard that too - seems like winter isn't that cold this year for a lot of the world. Just had a quick look and it's below zero (centigrade) at least! Have a great time!!
@@cakeswithfaces Yes. Quite warm in many places. They still seem to get - 10 at night so certainly not that warm in Hokkaido. :D Still a few weeks to go and maybe the snow picks up near the end of the month/start of February.
Yes. My daily routine is to check in the morning the weather forecast for the next few weeks. It certainly will be cold. I trust my Catsu Curry to keep me warm. :D
Yes, I heard it's a lot warmer than usual this year. I think I saw a picture of them bringing lorries full of snow into Odori Park to make the sculptures. I hope they don't melt though!
I know we talked about it in your earlier videos but just in case, we decided to stay in Otaru and travel to Sapporo to visit the Snow Festival. It's a little bit cheaper, not by much because they have their own, but every bit counts! All your savings can go towards lots of amazuke to stay warm 😅
I really enjoyed Otaru! Something I wanted to see but didn't have time for there was going up the Tenguyama ropeway - they have snow lanterns up there too, and the Asarigawa hot springs site. Have a great time!
Glad to hear it's not that busy on weekdays. I'm going the first few days. Is that Snow Miku shop super busy on weekdays? I don't want to miss out on that merch.
Going early on in the festival will give you the best chance to get merch in case anything sells out! The snow sculptures will also be looking their best - before there's any melting or rain on them! Have a great time!
@@unicode0040 otaru is super crowded and very famous in this season. Especially with the chinese tourists after the movie " love letter " in the 90's. It's a small town but very romantic and the snow sculptures are very cute and less in your face obnoxious as in odori park
I went back and forth to it over two days and an extra evening, doing other things in between, to see the daytime and the night-time. I also went to the Otaru festival, Sapporo beer museum and fish market.
Like okonomiyaki, monjayaki is easily customised, so there's a chance that most places would be able to make a vegetarian version for you (not everywhere's willing to customise menu items, so it's best to ask before sit down at your table). There's a chance the batter could contain dashi - I've always overlooked this because it doesn't taste of fish. If you wanted to be sure, you could go to a place like Sakauratei in Harajuku, which caters to vegetarians: www.sakuratei.co.jp/en/menu/original/index.html
@@CousinHubertRetrogaming The sculptures will definitely be there, I've seen pics of them being built. I have heard there's been less snowfall so far this year, and temperatures aren't as cold as usual. Fingers crossed for more snow for you!
If there will be enough snow this year. Temperatures are too high during the day, about 3-5 degrees Celsius above freezing point. The pictures on webcams look pretty disappointing, only little snow to see. Just check-out the pages of Japan Meteorological Agency. So far, this was the warmest winter on the northern hemisphere since the beginning of weather records, as well as the hottest summer on the southern hemisphere. Greetings from climate change!
I’m going in 2021 if they have it. But I was thinking of flying once I landed to Sapporo. I’m glad you said it at the end of your video.
I enjoyed travelling on the bullet train but it is quicker to fly to Sapporo (look out for cute Snow Miku things at Chitose airport!!). It wouldn't take up so much time on your trip! :-)
I am going this Monday 5th Feb 2024. So excited!
How exciting!! Have a wonderful time!
If you have a chance to come to Japan next time, please go to Saitama.
There are more sushi in Tokyo than vegetables. The taste also tasted better than ordinary vegetables.
Sounds good to me! Any places you'd recommend to go to in Saitama for sightseeing?
@@cakeswithfaces
What came to my mind immediately
`` Omiya Bonsai Museum '' with 1,000 year old bonsai
Vegetable Sushi "Sansui"
`` Yoyama Park '' is famous for its turf cherry blossoms in Chichibu
The Railway Museum in Saitama
Is it about?
I'm sorry you did.
@@いぬんInun Thanks for the recommendations!
Great video! I went to sapporo during summer so will have to go sometime during winter for this festival!!
We should swap - I'd love to go back during summer and see more of the countryside in Hokkaido!
I am going there next month.
Got everything sorted. Great video as always.
Have an amazing time - and tag me in a pic! :-)
@@cakeswithfaces ON INSTAGRAM?
Your videos and explanations are delightful! I watch all the other channels you note in your About section, too. I am happily subscribed! Nice to see different views on Japan experiences from so many people on YT.
Thanks so much, really glad you're enjoying them! I watch Japan videos all the time too!! :-)
Thanks for the tip about the underground shopping street! I'm sure we're going to use it. Flying to Japan tomorrow and will be there for the start of the festival.
Ooh exciting! Have an amazing time!! I don't think it's quiiiite this cold this year.
I went to the Sapporo Snow Festival in 2011 and met Anthony Bourdain! I flew up from Tokyo, and took non-shinkansen trains all the way back - this was before the Shinkansen went all the way up - so you had to take a private express train at Hakodate to get to Aomori. Decided to take my time and did mostly local trains. Took a little over 2 days. :)
I flew up with Peach Airlines and it was less than 2 hours and about 5000 yen. And was one of the most efficient, easiest airplane rides I've ever been on. Announced boarding - everybody gets on the plane in an orderly fashion, stows luggage, sits down, and we took off. The whole boarding process was like 15 min tops. Then you take the train from the airport into Sapporo, which was like an hour. So maybe 3 hours total.
Sounds good, I'd like to try the domestic Japanese airlines some day (I just love their names!). Doesn't surprise me they're so efficient - sound like a great experience.
Great video. Thanks for lots of really useful information.
Thanks so much! 100% worth braving the cold! :-)
These have been the best videos on YT I’ve found for planning my trip. All the thanks 🙏
Thank so much! I put a lot of time into my videos (probably too much!) so it means a lot to know you enjoy them. Have a great trip!!
Going there this year, as well as to Otaru, thanks for the video :)
Enjoy! You'll have a great time!! :-)
Going to be there this year only a few days, but we cant wait!
Have an amazing time and let me know what your favs are!
@@cakeswithfaces will do thank you! Been watching since the japlanning videos, and they have helped an awful lot! Thank you! :D
@@Peaaty That's great to hear, thank you! :-)
Great vid Amy, it looked like a blast.
I really enjoyed it - 100% worth braving the cold!
That s good advice Amy.
Thank you!
I was just wondering if the trains to Sapporo from Tokyo were very full during the festival. I am trying to figure out how far in advance to book my tickets for the train trip to Sapporo. I will be using the JR pass so will have to wait until I arrive in Japan to organise it.
They're busier than normal, especially the train from Hakodate to Sapporo - because so many people want to go to the festival! The good news is, you can reserve your seats online before you go, even with JR Pass (that's what I did!) --> www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx
17 days left :D Thanks for the tips. I hope by the time the festival rolls around the weather will be like in the videos. So far they don`t have as much snow as usually.
I've heard that too - seems like winter isn't that cold this year for a lot of the world. Just had a quick look and it's below zero (centigrade) at least! Have a great time!!
@@cakeswithfaces Yes. Quite warm in many places. They still seem to get - 10 at night so certainly not that warm in Hokkaido. :D Still a few weeks to go and maybe the snow picks up near the end of the month/start of February.
@@cidiracing7481 Fingers crossed for you! It'll probably still seem pretty cold!
Yes. My daily routine is to check in the morning the weather forecast for the next few weeks. It certainly will be cold. I trust my Catsu Curry to keep me warm. :D
@@cidiracing7481 Best breakfast in the cold weather (or any weather actually!!) :-)
Now, I have big concern.
It's very warm temperature on this winter in Japan.
So, not enough snow for snow festival.
I'm praying to fall more snow !
Yes, I heard it's a lot warmer than usual this year. I think I saw a picture of them bringing lorries full of snow into Odori Park to make the sculptures. I hope they don't melt though!
@@cakeswithfaces
Thank you for comment back.
I hope hope hope so !
When do they start the festival?
It's at the start of February every year :-)
Thanks for the tips.
Hope they help! :-)
@@cakeswithfaces they do help
I know we talked about it in your earlier videos but just in case, we decided to stay in Otaru and travel to Sapporo to visit the Snow Festival. It's a little bit cheaper, not by much because they have their own, but every bit counts! All your savings can go towards lots of amazuke to stay warm 😅
I really enjoyed Otaru! Something I wanted to see but didn't have time for there was going up the Tenguyama ropeway - they have snow lanterns up there too, and the Asarigawa hot springs site. Have a great time!
Glad to hear it's not that busy on weekdays. I'm going the first few days. Is that Snow Miku shop super busy on weekdays? I don't want to miss out on that merch.
Going early on in the festival will give you the best chance to get merch in case anything sells out! The snow sculptures will also be looking their best - before there's any melting or rain on them! Have a great time!
@@cakeswithfaces Yes! That's what I was hoping. I also didn't know about the Otaru festival before!
I was there in 2019: whoever goes there after the first hour of the first day will only be able to buy snow miku toilet paper... Everebody rushes to the shops are are not afraid to queue hours by -8© temps
@@unicode0040 otaru is super crowded and very famous in this season. Especially with the chinese tourists after the movie " love letter " in the 90's.
It's a small town but very romantic and the snow sculptures are very cute and less in your face obnoxious as in odori park
Hlo dear
When started sown in japan
Hello! Sorry, not sure what you mean!
Amy, do you recommend 1 day or 2 at the Sapporo snow festival?
I went back and forth to it over two days and an extra evening, doing other things in between, to see the daytime and the night-time. I also went to the Otaru festival, Sapporo beer museum and fish market.
Hello, thank you for your videos!! Is there a possibility for a vegetarian to eat monjayaki in Japan?
Like okonomiyaki, monjayaki is easily customised, so there's a chance that most places would be able to make a vegetarian version for you (not everywhere's willing to customise menu items, so it's best to ask before sit down at your table). There's a chance the batter could contain dashi - I've always overlooked this because it doesn't taste of fish. If you wanted to be sure, you could go to a place like Sakauratei in Harajuku, which caters to vegetarians: www.sakuratei.co.jp/en/menu/original/index.html
Is there snow on the ground or not?
Yes! Lots of snow, and big piles of it by the side of the streets.
@@cakeswithfaces oh great so there is a ton of snow but not enough for the sculptures right
Because i wanted to do car drofting sessions on a track and the owner canceled the whole season due to lack of snow...
@@CousinHubertRetrogaming The sculptures will definitely be there, I've seen pics of them being built. I have heard there's been less snowfall so far this year, and temperatures aren't as cold as usual. Fingers crossed for more snow for you!
Hello, would there still be snow there in March? I'm going on the first week of March. :-)
I think the snow stays until about April or so, so hopefully you should still get some! :-) Have a great time!!
If there will be enough snow this year. Temperatures are too high during the day, about 3-5 degrees Celsius above freezing point.
The pictures on webcams look pretty disappointing, only little snow to see. Just check-out the pages of Japan Meteorological Agency.
So far, this was the warmest winter on the northern hemisphere since the beginning of weather records, as well as the hottest summer on the southern hemisphere.
Greetings from climate change!
Fingers crossed for more snow for you! I'm sure you'll have a great time at the festival in any case :-)
Hey cake i really love watching your videos id love to hear some music tho i think that would really help get more veiws :)
Thanks for the suggestion! I think it's a personal thing - some people like background music, some people don't! :-)