"Hokkaido in winter 2018"

A: "Can you tell me about your trip to Hokkaido? How much were the tickets?"

A greeting from an old friend who has been lost for many years, only meeting on social media.

B: "I got a super cheap ticket, only a few thousand baht! But everything else is expensive because I booked it close to the travel date. 55+"

My first memory of Hokkaido dates back to 2017. On a whim, I asked a friend who worked for an airline if they had any employee discount tickets. To my surprise, they did, and we impulsively booked our flights without even researching the island. My initial impression was that Hokkaido was an expensive destination, putting a trip there on hold for the foreseeable future. However, fate intervened, leading me back to the island and igniting a deep love for it.

A: "We are seriously planning to go, and we have been saving money for it."

Friends continue to share their thoughts about this place.

B: "We really enjoyed it and definitely plan to go again," we replied.

A: "Let's go. When is good?"

The user is requesting a translation from Thai to English.

Here is the translation:

I don't know who influenced who, but we ended up with my friend booking the tickets for us in a daze.

If you're thinking of traveling somewhere, book your tickets first, and the rest will follow. But wait, even though I intended to return, I didn't expect to do so this soon. My previous trip hasn't even been a year yet.

Day 1: Starting in Niseko, a world-class ski resort. Everyone comes here to play because of the soft snow. They claim that falling doesn't hurt (who are "they"? Falling still hurts, haha). This place is truly beautiful, completely covered in white. I'm not a fan of the color white, but when I saw the whole city in white, I was like, "Okay, it's beautiful! I like it!" We stayed here for one night because we planned to go skiing. When we arrived, we wondered if we were really in Japan. It was full of foreigners, whether tourists, skiers/snowboarders, or even staff at hotels and shops. It felt very international.

Day 2: Snowboarding or Skiing?

Initially, I had planned to learn snowboarding during this trip, having had an unsuccessful attempt at teaching myself previously. I wasn't able to brake and could only ski. I intended to spend at least two days snowboarding, but I wasn't sure if my friend would be interested in such an extreme activity. I didn't want to pressure them, so I considered just sticking to skiing. At least I knew how to ski, so I wouldn't have to waste time leaving my friend confused.

My original plan was to pick up the rental equipment and start snowboarding as soon as we arrived in Niseko. However, after the exhausting flight, I decided it would be best to wait another day. Otherwise, I risked ruining the entire trip from the start.

Back on the slopes again, just as fun as ever. The only difference is that it takes longer to put on my skis than it does to ski down the slope. Why is it so difficult? Oh, right, I didn't completely remove the snow from my boots, so they wouldn't lock in properly. Damn it! It took me half an hour. I'm such a klutz. 55 The day I went skiing happened to be a day of heavy snowfall. The visibility was terrible, and I wasn't wearing my glasses. I turned around to look for my friend who had tricked me into going skiing because I was afraid she wouldn't enjoy it. In the end, she didn't enjoy it either. I'm heartbroken.

After coming down from the slope, I couldn't find my friends. I went back to the hostel to cool down and played games to kill time. I was abandoned! "Living like a lonely person, living with loneliness." I walked back to the hostel carrying my skis with this song playing in my head the whole time. I was confused and constantly at risk of getting lost, typical of my absent-minded self. The accommodation was excellent, affordable, close to the slope, and offered a variety of activities, including foosball, pool tables, a bar, and more.

The ski season has ended, so we headed to Sapporo, a city where you can find Thai people everywhere. It's almost as if we're in another province of Thailand. It's heartwarming to feel so close to home even though we're so far away.

Day 3: The day began with a bright sky. Fortunately, the snow had not yet fallen as we set out this morning.

The original text describes a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Sapporo, Japan. The writer expresses their desire to visit the shrine due to seeing pictures of the red pillars contrasting with the white snow. They also mention the belief that the shrine is good for praying for love, adding that they are not superstitious but still curious. However, they are confused as the water basin for cleansing hands before entering the shrine is frozen, and the offering area is closed. They wonder if they can still pray under these circumstances.

Here's the translated text:

I wanted to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Sapporo because I saw pictures of the red pillars against the white snow. I thought it was beautiful. I also heard that it's a good place to pray for love, which I'm not really superstitious about, but still curious. However, I was confused when I got there. The water basin for cleansing hands before entering the shrine was frozen, and the offering area was closed. I wondered if I could still pray under these circumstances.

Revisiting Hokkaido University, I wish I could turn back time and be a student again, even though I'm old enough to be their aunt. I love this building. Seeing it makes me want to come here. Sometimes I wonder why I came. I just came to take pictures of the building and eat in the university cafeteria. But then again, sometimes love doesn't need a reason. //Is it related?

Day 4: Today, I plan to go to the beach. I saw on IG that the beach in Sapporo is also beautiful. I want to visit a place that is not very popular. The sky looks bright.

The train transfer was confusing. To reach Ranshima Beach, we needed to get off at Otaru Station, which accepts Suica cards. However, to continue on the local line to Ranshima Station, we discovered that our card wouldn't work and had to purchase a separate ticket. This unexpected situation caused some initial confusion.

My sanity snapped when I had to pay for the train ticket. When I got off the train, my sanity snapped even more. Where am I?! This place feels like the middle of nowhere. There are no living things around. Where is the sea?

The deeper I ventured, the more I felt the absence of divine favor. Snow fell heavily as I walked, but after a while, I heard the sound of waves. I must be close now!

However, where is the picture of white snow against the beautiful blue sea? I can barely see the water. It feels like I came to the sea during the rain, only the raindrops have been replaced by snowflakes. If the sky were clear, it would be much more beautiful. How unlucky am I? The snow is also very high. To get this close to the sea (which is still far away), I had to wade through knee-deep snow. I'm not sure if the snow is high or if my legs are just short. It feels like I've been rolling around in the snow. It was worth it to come to Hokkaido Snow Land.

Rekindle your spirit at the Sapporo Beer Museum, where the lingering Christmas spirit adds a touch of romance to the atmosphere.

Day 5: Rent a car and choose a day with the best weather forecast to visit Marukoma Onsen, a historic hotel with an onsen overlooking Lake Shikotsu. Public transportation is available to the lake, but not to the hotel. After analyzing the options, renting a car seems more cost-effective than taking a taxi.

Lake Shikotsu: A Winter Wonderland

Lake Shikotsu, a body of water that defies the winter freeze, presents a breathtaking spectacle. The snow-capped mountains reflected in its pristine waters create a scene of unparalleled beauty. The stark contrast between the white snow and the deep blue water is mesmerizing, offering a serene and picturesque escape. While the beauty of the lake is undeniable, the winter chill is equally potent.

The lake hosts a beautiful ice festival with activities such as horseback riding and ice slides.

Day 6: Free day. A day without a set plan. Let's just say we're walking around the city because we're going back tomorrow. I don't want to go hardcore, just melt away my wealth.

Even though I didn't want to go hardcore, I ended up walking around Tanukikoji at 3 am because my bag was full and I couldn't fit everything in. I had to buy a new bag. Thanks, Don Quijote, my 24-hour best friend. (Is this even a thing? -*-)

Day 7: Departed for the airport before dawn to catch an early morning flight.

Safely arrived back in Thailand. Still in love with Hokkaido, and now I have one more bag. Hopefully, I can visit again soon. <3