Yuki Matsuri - The SNOW Festival

The yukimatsuri, or snow festival, is held in Hokkaido, the most North Eastern part of Japan, during the winter months. People from all over the world flock to Sapporo in order to see the snow sculptures and freeze in the below-zero temperatures. This year, myself and my friend, Sierra, were among the great mass that made the trip to the rugged, Colorado-like, part of Japan.

This is Sapporo Tower with winter decorations which were lighting a part of the festival area. There is a "park" called Odori which runs down the middle of downtown Sapporo where the snow sculptures, the main event of the yukimatsuri, were displayed.

Sierra and I were among a group of JETs who booked our trip with the Hokkaido JET group. They did all of the planning and reservations for us, and we had the added benefit of meeting other JETs from all over Japan. This first night, we had the sometimes strange, but very fun company of Reid (from Fukuoka prefecture) and Paul (from I have no idea prefecture).

Myself, Reid (from Hawaii) and Sierra in front of The chronicles of Narnia snow sculpture. When the sun fell, the sight was privy to a laser show. It was freezing. We wore layers and layers, bought foot warmers and tucked them in our shoes, and sipped on Starbucks coffee while cruising the yukimatsuri. Reid thought it would be a good idea to get a Frapachinno. He was without gloves. He wouldn't admit it, but we're sure he regretted his choice for a cold beverage.

This is a likeness of Ai-chan. She is a young and amazing Japanese golfer. She is the pride of Japan at the moment.

Here I am about to partake in some Sapporo Ramen. It seems like everywhere in Japan has to be famous for something. Along with being home to the Sapporo beer factory, Sapporo claims great fame in their ramen. It's also the place to go for kani (crab). Kyushuu, where I live, also claims to be famous for their ramen. Sierra and I were a bit disappointed, and amused, when we stumbled upon a ramen shop that boasted their Hakkata Ramen - hailing from Kyushuu. We didn't want Kyushuu Ramen in Sapporo! We wanted Sapporo Ramen!

Sierra and I huddling in front of "Ankor Wat" in "Cambodia."

Here's an elementary school girl playing an organ inside a bubble for the entertainment of the yukimatsuri enthusiasts. She was playing the theme to Sesame Street. I hope it was warm in there. That poor thing doesn't have a coat on.

Here, Sierra and I pose with a posse of high school boys. We realized just how difficult it is to judge someone's age if their not wearing a uniform, or a suit. We only realized they were so young after we asked how old they were.

tako and ika in a tentacle frenzy! I was psyched to see that octopus and squid, our multi-legged friends of the sea, were so well represented. This display was titled "Go for it! Japan!" What exactly are they going for with giving a shout out to these slithery creatures?

Darth Vador's profile started off this line of snow sculptures. Most of the sculptures were a little higher than the average person's size. There were only about eight or ten really large snow stages where performances were held.

I especially liked this one. She looks so happy, and calm and warm lying there all made of snow.

Sierra and I watched a performance of taiko (drumming) in front of this beautiful rendition of Horyu-ji temple. The drummers were out in below zero weather without coats and long sleeves.

Me and Totoro. Totoro and I.

This was one of my favorites. It was titled "Happy Taiwan." You would walk on the area directly in front of the sculpture and get a really wonderful view of all the work that was done.

A close up.

We also went snowboarding at Niseko, which was about two hours outside of Sapporo. We rode a train and a bus to the ski resort. The train was stuck on the tracks for an extra hour due to heavy snow. Now, I'm no where near international when it comes to judging ski resorts, but Niseko really did have the most amazing powder I've ever boarded in. Here are a few shots from the day....On the train, with TTT in the background.

Sierra in front of he map just off of the gondola. We went down "holiday" which didn't turn out to be much of one. With the flat catwalk we had to stop several times. I wanted to ride it a second time, but by the time I arrived, the area had been roped off.

Oh, NISEKO! I'll be back, someday....

We went out for crab (another Hokkaido specialty) after we got back from snowboarding. We paid for a tabe-nomihodai (all you can eat and drink) for an hour and a half. Picking the crab out of the legs was time-consuming and didn't yield all that much in the end, but damn! It was delicious!

Here's Sierra and Mandy (from New Zealand) working their way through a "hairy crab." We were told that if we poured sake into the skull and drank the brains out, it would be delicious. None of us were up for the challenge, so the rumor goes invalidated.

I think this one speaks for itself.

Our last night in Sapporo, the Hokkaido JETs organized an enkai for us. We went to a lamb joint. We grilled our own lamb meat and veggies in the middle of the table while drinking an array of beer, cocktails and nihonshu.

Mandy and I enjoying the fruits of our labor.

A view from our seats on the third floor of the Kirin Beer Garden and restaurant. Just off to the right of this shot was a stage, where a chef was cooking for the crowd. No one was really paying much attention to him.

Sierra, Mandy and Maggie enjoying some Kirin beer. Maggie looks like she's just about ready for a refill.

I've been back on Ojika for one night and two days and I'm bummed out. I always know when I've had an amazing vacation because I always lament the fact that I'm back on my extraordinary island. I wish I could live my life on a daily basis the way I do while I'm on vacation, but for whatever reason, that just doesn't seem to work.

At least I can spend the even longer hours at my desk (my classes have been canceled for two days) researching and planning my next liberation.