Sapporo Yuki Matsuri 2010

Having not left the village the whole month of January, I left in February to see one of Japan's biggest festival - The Sapporo Yuki Matsuri. Large sculpted blocks of frozen snow large as houses, displayed along Odori Koen amongst festival food stalls and omiyagi shops. The largest ones are company sponsored. The smaller ones are made by local groups which bring the festival back to its roots when, in 1950, a group of high school students made just six snow sculptures. Since then the festival has grown in national and international recognition. 

My favourite of the bigger sculptures was made by the Hokkaido Zoo, at the centre of the piece shows a mother polar bear with her cubs surrounded by a few other exotic animals. Disney represented as they have done the last two times I've been, who wouldn't like a bit of Disney? A cute Japanese character line-up sculpture rounded of the display at the end of the strip. There were also German and Korean traditional buildings made of snow - I didn't find these so exciting.

There were the usual range of festival food with an emphasis on Hokkaido specefic foods. Always one to try the special foods, I had the 'kani shiru' - crab soup & the 'kabucha chizu' -  fried pumpkin with melty cheese inside. The latter, a really good alternative to the potato cheezu. Another part of the festival are the ice sculptures, found in Susukino, a brighter, more electric part of the city. Worth seeing, they look pretty cool. This part of the city has more izakaiya style places and ramen alley. 

A trip to the city wouldn't be complete without the usual stops. Uniqlo was disappointing, nothing I liked. Body Shop was successful, strawberry danish from the pastry shop at the station was delicious, Central was delightful, Apple shop, always a pleasure - was hoping to try out the iPad but they didn't seem to have one on display. And, one fillet 'o' fish from Maccers. Since coffee in the village is pretty good, don't feel like I need to visit Starbucks when I go to the city like when was down south. Although, a chai, soy, latte wouldn't be too bad. 

January was same, same in Hirafu, more Australian guests, kids club was full. Have since eaten at a few more places in the village, Steak Rosso Rosso was oh, so good and Luipicia, a specialist tea shop that have just finished building a restaurant just a little outside the village. I watched them build it over the summer and it was one of the best eating experiences I've had. Large, open, wooden building, no one there, great food, decent portion size, good value for money. 

Not going out so much this season, I have managed to be able to buy a few essential items for my snow sports wardrobe, the biggest purchase being a pair of shiny, white, fitted to my feet ski boots. I took them out recently and did them up so tight I couldn't feel my feet, have since loosened them. You'll be pleased to know the ski boots and I are working out just fine.

January & Yuki Matsuri 2010

Merry Christmas!!

Although it doesn't really feel like Christmas this year, it just feels like another week and very busy week at the ski school.

It's been a pretty busy month trying to get the ski school running smooth. I think it's finally coming together, hoping for little breathing space in January. With The Vale opening next door there has been an abundance of extra walk ins. The latter half of Xmas week the schedule board for the instructors was covered in red meaning mostly privates have been booked. With the big spenders, I've been seeing a fair few black AMEX cards. How elite.

Right at the start of the season, I passed the entry level APSI ski instructors course. Was an intense four days skiing round the mountain, but I think I've improved my technique and have learnt a few things about teaching children to ski.

Had my first lesson last week. I don't think three year olds should be in a group lesson for three hours and I also think that the parents of these three year olds should be no where near them during the class. Out of my class of eight I ended up with two five year olds, I was confident that we could go up the lift, of the two, one started to cry at the top and would not stop the whole way down, had to have her in-between my legs for the run while the other little boy was doing so well and having fun which is the whole point at this age.

When I have had a chance to leave work, I've been mainly eating. Tried some raw oysters in a new restraunt open this season, Ezo Seafood.

Christmas day I was at work, everyone got to leave early. First part of Christmas dinner dining was with Aliesha at Senshou, a seafood restaurant. Part II, a family style feast at Gavin and Chook's house with a few people from work. I ate so much that I was suitably full to what is expected on Christmas day.

Spend boxing day in Sapporo, getting out of the village and seeing the shops.

Roll on 2010.

December 09 in Hirafu