The other day, when I picked up a new outdoor bag at the newly opened LOEWE in Ginza, I suddenly felt like going somewhere, so I decided to go on a solo trip. My destination was Hokkaido.

The theme of this trip was "digital detox." I had just finished a big job and had been constantly staring at my computer and smartphone. I decided to take my mind off work for a while and just absorb the scenery. However, traveling in Hokkaido in winter is extremely difficult! Without my smartphone, I wouldn't know how to transfer... So I decided to use my smartphone to research my trip.

It was the end of November. I wanted to see the snow and starry sky, and there was a bistro I wanted to go to, so I headed for northern Hokkaido.
It was a wonderful trip, and I was able to truly detox, so I decided to write about it on my blog.
Please enjoy this report on my solo trip to Hokkaido in winter.

Snowscape and the Blue Pond

I took a 9:00 flight from Haneda and arrived at New Chitose Airport around 11:00 AM (I hadn't decided where to go, so I headed straight to Chitose Airport). I took the train to Asahikawa Station, admiring the snowy scenery, and then took the Dohoku Bus to the Blue Pond in Biei. I'd seen it before in the default mural on my Mac and had always wanted to go. The bus ride lasted a little over an hour, as I watched the sun gently sink over the Daisetsuzan mountain range. As someone who usually tries to shave even 10 minutes off my travels, this was a very precious moment. Since this was a "digital detox trip," I enjoyed the luxury of doing nothing—looking out the window, reading the book I brought with me, dozing off, etc.



We arrived at the bus stop called "Shirogane Blue Pond Entrance" and walked for five minutes, stepping hard on the accumulated snow. The emerald green "Blue Pond" came into view in the forest. In this fantastical blue pond, withered larch trees standing straight up towards the sky... we were captivated by this never-before-seen sight. In winter, the pond freezes over due to the cold, but it seems to be lit up from 5pm. The contrast with the snow looks beautiful.


Blue Pond

Snowscape and Starry Sky

The biggest concern when traveling to Hokkaido in winter is transportation. Driving on snowy roads is scary, so public transportation is the only option. I was interested in trendy guesthouses and designer hotels, but after careful consideration, I decided to stay at the New Furano Prince Hotel, which is served by local buses.

The Furano bus stops there about every hour and runs in a circular route to major stations, making it very convenient! The hotel also has a hot spring, convenience store, and souvenir shop. A short walk away is Ningle Terrace, a charming mountain hut-like cafe and bar, as well as a row of small shops. It's all great.


Ningle Terrace

Since we arrived late that day, we went to Soh's BAR, which is open until late, and had pasta. After filling our stomachs, we went outside and saw a star-filled sky! It was so beautiful... In the great outdoors, with only the faint sound of snow falling to hear, I forgot about the cold and gazed at the night sky for several minutes.


Soh's BAR, supervised by screenwriter So Kuramoto
On my second day, I spent the morning strolling around the hotel while waiting for the bus. The snowy scenery on a clear day is also beautiful...



And today, I finally got to visit Higashikawa Town. Anyway, I was worried about how to get to Higashikawa. Even though this was supposed to be a "digital detox trip," I couldn't put my smartphone down. I used Google Maps, timetables, and social media to find the best way to get there. Ultimately, I decided it would be best to go to Asahikawa Airport from the hotel and then take a 10-minute taxi ride, so I set off as planned. It was another hour and a bit of a bus ride.

>>New Furano Prince Hotel

To the Trending Town of Higashikawa

The reason I chose Higashikawa was because I wanted to eat at Bistro Vraie, a restaurant beloved by gourmets. The taxi driver kept asking me, "What are you doing here alone from Tokyo?" I arrived at the restaurant, and the interior was filled with the warmth of wood. I was hungry, so I ordered right away. I ordered pork terrine for the appetizer and chicken confit for the main course (from 1,600 yen). The terrine was served with fresh local vegetables and red cabbage rapée. The chicken confit, served with grilled vegetables, was crispy on the outside and plump and chewy on the inside. It was so delicious that I was sad to see it disappear from my plate. The coffee after the meal was also delicious, and I was able to lose track of time as I savored my meal while listening to the rattling of the wood stove. It was far away, but I'm really glad I was able to go to the store... (tears)





This store also sells deli items on an irregular basis on weekends. While we were eating, several customers came by to pick up the deli boxes they had reserved. If I lived nearby, I'd be able to enjoy deli food at home... I was envious.

>>Bistro Vraie


Higashikawa is a quiet town with views of Mount Asahi. It's also famous as a "town of photography," attracting creative people, and is home to the annual Higashikawa International Photography Festival. The town center is dotted with stylish general stores, select shops, and cafes renovated from old buildings, creating a charming blend of old and new. At Michikusakan, which also serves as a bus stop, you can find a selection of local specialties made by local farmers, chefs, and creators. It was clear to see how locals of all generations are lovingly building their town.




>>Michikusakan

Soup Curry at Kitchen Farm Yard

From Higashikawa, we moved to Yuni Town in Yubari County. A friend who runs a farm in Hokkaido drove me to a soup curry restaurant called "Kitchen Farmyard." I had chicken soup curry there. Unfortunately, it was nighttime, so I couldn't see the view outside, but during the day, it seems like the farm is spread out, allowing you to fully experience the northern land.



The smooth soup curry was topped with a variety of vegetables, including tender bone-in chicken, deep-fried potatoes and bell peppers, raw leafy vegetables, and boiled carrots, all carefully prepared to bring out the flavor of each vegetable. It was my first time experiencing a curry with so many vegetables (this is truly what they call a "jewel box"!). It was delicious from the first bite, and it makes me sad to think that I won't be able to eat it again for a while. I'd like to visit again someday, while on a drive.

>>Kitchen Farmyard

Moere Numa Park

On the day I traveled from northern Hokkaido to Sapporo to visit my hometown, I put my luggage in a coin locker at Sapporo Station and took a train and bus to Moere Numa Park.
This is an art park designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi.


Glass Pyramid

Mount Moere

>>Moerenuma Park


A 3-day, 2-night "digital detox trip" where you absorb only the good stuff, engage your five senses, and connect with nature. It's important to treat yourself every once in a while! This is a recommended trip plan for women who can't ski but still want to see snow. Just don't forget your snow boots and warm clothes...!