We heart Hokkaido

I can now officially say after five (yes FIVE) trips to Japan, I have finally ventured off the Island of Honshu. The destination....snowy Sapporo, situated on the Island of Hokkaido!
Bright and early last Monday, my friends and I boarded our flight to Sapporo and arrived to a scene of white serenity. Riding the train from the airport into the city of Sapporo, I was taken by the silent beauty of snow, the stillness of the bare trees, the clumps of white dangling precariously on branches. To be put simply...stunning.
Our first day was spent wandering in streets near our hotel in search of Hokkaido food which reputation proceeds it. After some wrong turns we caught sight of a giant crab suspended on the side of a building. It was a sign! MUST EAT CRAB! I chose to sit with my friends sipping on warm Umeshu whilst they dug into their crab delicacies! Never fear, my belly was preparing itself for the epic Ramen feast to come.
We hit up Ramen Alley every day which I think was the smartest move of the trip.
We all reached the general consensus that the Hokkaido Special ramen (choc full of Seafood) took out the prize for the most delicious with the Buttered Corn ramen coming a close second. Check out this goodness....drools.

 Although the ramen was smashingly good, my personal highlight of the Yuki Matsuri (aka the snow festival and reason for our trip) was the super cool snowboarders who showcased their tricks daily. I never tired of watching these guys flip, somersault, half pipe, whatever you call it. And now I REALLY want to try snowboarding! We snuck in a bit of ice skating and a couple of laps skiing but snowboarding is where it's at me thinks!

Over the week, we wandered around the 3 main sites of the snow festival, happily snapping away and trying local delicacies. Everything just tasted so amazing, coupled with the fresh air....I really felt alive and kicking! We even experienced a snow storm, I got covered whilst gazing at the snowboarders but you couldn't wipe the grin from my face.

On our last night, we experienced all you can eat Genghis Khan BBQ....boy did my belly hurt after. But again, completely worth it!

There were so many highlights of this trip, even the nights sipping hot Umeshu and laughing away to MXC have a special place in my heart.

Hokkaido - we heart you!