Japan in winter hits differently.
Second time ko na in Japan, pero first time ko maranasan yung actual snow. First time ulit mag-solo for a few days, and first time mag-surprise visit abroad.
January 12–19.
Staff travel via Etihad. Standby both ways.
Swerte this time — business class seats available AUH to Narita and Narita to AUH. Flatbed both directions. Rare win.
Pero kahit business, the real story wasn’t the seat.
It was what happened between cities.
Arrival in Tokyo + Disneyland Surprise
Landed in Narita in the morning. Diretso ako to meet Lujim and Mama Luth.
And yes, ginawa ko talaga yung surprise sa Tokyo Disneyland. In front of Cinderella Castle.
Medyo extra, pero worth it.
Yung moment na narealize nila na andun ako — that mix of shock and tawa — mas memorable pa kaysa sa rides.
We didn’t overthink the park. A few rides. Picture breaks. Walking under winter sun. Cold air but manageable.
That reunion energy carried the whole day.
Pagod. Pero solid start.
Tokyo Days — Classic Stops, Slow Pace
Next day was just us walking Tokyo.
Ueno Park. Akihabara. Asakusa. Harajuku. Shibuya.
Tokyo Skytree from afar. No need to go up.
Dinner was ramen and katsu somewhere near Shibuya. 2–5°C weather makes everything taste better.
I stayed separately at APA Hotel Roppongi for the first two nights.
Typical Tokyo — compact, efficient, no wasted space.
Solo nights in Tokyo always feel peaceful. Hindi lonely. Just quiet.
Flight to Sapporo — Snow Shock
Jetstar flight from Narita to New Chitose.
Landing in Sapporo felt like entering another country.
Snow everywhere. Hindi lang dusting. Talagang makapal.
Stayed at Mama Luth’s place in Hiragishi. Warm interiors. Kotatsu table.
Outside was negative temperature.
Inside was comfort.
That contrast stays with you.
First night we walked around Susukino.
Snow falling under streetlights. Ganso Ramen Yokocho for dinner.
Hot ramen while your hands are still slightly numb from the cold — ibang level.
Snow Days in Sapporo
Odori Park was preparing for the Snow Festival.
White everywhere.
We didn’t rush sightseeing. Just walked. Coffee stops. Hokkaido cheese tarts. Convenience store runs.
Snowball fights. Attempted snowman. Tawa kahit nanginginig.
Tried soup curry — Sapporo specialty. Perfect for winter.
Hindi namin pinilit Otaru. Hindi nag-ski.
And honestly, okay lang.
Slow snow days felt more meaningful.
Back to Tokyo — Solo Again
Hatid si Lujim sa airport pauwi Manila.
I flew back to Tokyo alone.
Checked into Best Western Fino Akasaka for one night.
That solo Tokyo night hit different.
Daiso. Don Quijote. Random pasalubong.
Izakaya alley. Solo beer and yakitori.
Late-night ramen sa counter.
No rush. No conversation. Just observing.
Sometimes I travel to be around people.
Sometimes I travel to hear my own thoughts clearer.
Looking Back
Japan in winter isn’t loud.
It’s calm. Controlled. Clean.
But what stayed with me wasn’t the snow.
It was:
Surprising someone in Disneyland.
Sitting under a kotatsu while snow fell outside.
Walking alone in Tokyo at night without feeling lost.
Second time in Japan. Different season. Different pace.
Hindi lahat kailangan ma-maximize.
Sometimes enough na yung moments na hindi mo pinilit.
