We checked out of the Air BnB at 11:00AM and took the train towards the airport. We had a few connections to make, and for our first and only time in Tokyo, we got on the wrong line and headed in the wrong direction for a solid 15 minutes. Still, we sipped our convenient store leftover sake and ate leftover mochi for breakfast and arrived to the airport on time. We had time for a quick beef soba noodle meal (still delicious, even at the airport) before boarding.
In Japan, their boarding process takes maybe 15 minutes total and is much more efficient than in Western countries. They seat in order of window, middle seats, then aisles, as to avoid people having to get in/out of their seat as to board their shared row passengers.
Along with boarding process, some reflections and observations on notable advantages of Tokyo. First, very efficient public transportation. Many trains and busses that get you quickly and affordably to anywhere you want to go. There are very few private vehicles on the road, so the light traffic is shared by mostly Ubers, taxis, and busses. Second, the city is very clean. In hand with this observation comes the lack of trash cans in public. If you had something to discard, you were hanging onto it until you got to wherever you go. Down some of the less populated alleys you could find dumpsters. I’ve never been to New York, and Tokyo is by far the largest city I’ve been to (also largest city in the world in terms of population). Still, comparing by reputation, I only saw 2 rats on the streets across 4 nights in the city, which seems to depict the cleanliness. Third, there were very few people suffering homelessness in Tokyo. I did not get to explore every neighborhood, and I’m aware there are likely areas with more/less poverty and people suffering homelessness, but across the 6 or 7 areas I visited, I saw 2 people suffering homelessness. 2 people suffering homelessness and 2 rats in a city of approximately 14 million people. I love my home San Diego, and I see numbers way higher than this. I think this is interesting and perhaps the US could take some notes out of Japan’s playbook, especially in addressing the tragic homelessness crisis and also with reliable public transportation. Fourth, it was clear Japan very recently came out of lockdown because masks were required indoors and the sanitation stations were in every entry way. Also, even outside where they weren’t mandated, everyone seemed to be wearing masks. Last note, heated toilet seats and bidets on every toilet. Yes, I mean every toilet, including those in public. I’ve been on the bidet train myself for a few years now, and so there was no “custom curve” for the bidet scene to make a splash.
A quick note on the weather while in Tokyo; We experienced mild temperatures between 40-60 degrees Fahrenheit (4-16 Celsius). A bit colder than the San Diego weather I’ve grown accustomed to (and thankfully so) but not as harsh as the Michigan winters I grew up in (and contributed to my eventual migration decision).
After a 1.5 hour flight with a screaming (not crying, screaming) child seated in the row behind us, we arrived in Sapporo. We grabbed our luggage, met up with our friends Hawkins, Chris, Dom, and Rick, and hopped on a shuttle towards Niseko. As soon as we stepped outside, there was snow on the ground and a briskness to the air that only put one thing on my mind: snowboarding. After a 2 hour shuttle ride, we were dropped off at our ski in/out hotel (Niseko Alpen) at the base of the Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu. After I picked up rental boots, board, and helmet, we went to a pizza place and enjoyed oysters, crab salad, and a spicy flatbread pizza. The pizza was solid… but the oysters! Largest I’ve seen in my life and so fresh and tasty. I’ve never had to eat an oyster in multiple bites before. Another point for the Japanese food game.
After a long day of traveling, we called it a night and set our alarms early for day one on the slopes.