Japan journey diary half 1: Niseko

Welcome to the primary installment of my Japan journey diary! ICYMI, I had the pleasure of spending 17 days touring round Japan to rejoice my thirtieth birthday. This journey has been a dream of mine ever since I fell in love with cooking over a decade in the past, and I really feel so insanely fortunate to have had the chance to expertise it.

I’ve acquired many requests for a Japan “guide”, however I concern I’m not even shut to being certified for that. This was my first time visiting Japan and I might by no means declare to be an knowledgeable, nor inform you what the “best places” to go to are. But what I can inform you is the place I went, and if I might return!

A city nestled throughout the Annupuri mountain on the island of Hokkaido. This area is called the “powder capital” of the world, accumulating upwards of 60 ft a snow per 12 months. To examine, Aspen, CO will get about 30 ft per 12 months, Big Sky Montana about 34 ft per 12 months, Stowe, VT about 30 ft per 12 months, and Park City, UT about 23 ft per 12 months.

In addition to the massive quantity of snowfall, additionally it is identified for having the very best texture of snow. The snow in Hokkaido typically accommodates solely 6–8% moisture (in comparison with 8–12% or extra within the European Alps)* making it extremely gentle, fluffy, and immune to clumping. All of which offer the BEST snowboarding situations one may ask for, affectionately known as “Japow”.

Most of you consider me as a summer time lady, which is true, I do thrive within the hotter months; BUT, I additionally LOVE a snowy winter. Fun reality, I used to be really born shortly after the blizzard of 1996, which lined the tri-state space in over 4 ft of snow. Loving the snow was principally my future. And at barely 3 years outdated, I strapped into my first pair of skis and have been in love with the game ever since. I caveat this as a result of, as we all know, I had ski accident final January that resulted in rupturing my ACL, tearing my quad, and fracturing just a few bones. I then had surgical procedure in March, which primarily left me in excruciating ache like I’ve by no means skilled (and sofa ridden) for the whole lot of 2025. You’d assume after that have, I’d be too traumatized to get again on the mountain, however sadly (or thankfully), I like it an excessive amount of to remain away.

With that stated, the enchantment of Niseko for me was nearly totally for the snowboarding. Tacking on 2 weeks of exploring the remainder of Japan, revered because the culinary capital of the globe, was simply an added bonus ; ).

I wrote this shortly after wrapping up 4 wonderful days in Niseko, and it was one of the particular locations I’ve ever been to in my life. The space has continued to obtain unprecedentedly excessive volumes of snowfall, ensuing the dying and harm of a whole bunch. My coronary heart goes out to all who’ve been affected by these tragedies.