From MTN to CITY

There is even more than what you’d expect on your winter vacation to Hokkaido: We found powder snow with skis and via snowshoes. We visited Sapporo city and immersed ourselves in the lively annual Snow Festival. We traveled to locals fish markets and ate local food. We visited winter flower gardens and spend an afternoon at the Nikka distillery for a tour and some Japanese whisky tasting. And finally, we experienced some fun nightlife in Niseko and Sapporo.

7 Perfect Days in Hokkaido

Here is is everything you'd expect from a perfect trip to Hokkaido: Deep powder, night skiing, private outdoor onsens, sushi, bustling Sapporo city, cute tourist streets, ancient temples and a bluebird day overlooking the sea of Japan to finish off the trip.

EP. 1 - MELON KUMA

Kuma is Japanese for bear. So Melon Kuma is Melon Bear. Melon Kuma is just that - a bear with melon DNA - but in Yubari, Melon Kuma is much more.

The Japanese have mascots for everything, literally everything. Each town has a mascot, islands have mascots, regions have mascots, states have mascots, companies, shops, and products all have mascots, and some become wildly popular. Most mascots are cute, some are just strange, but very few are lovable and scary at the same time like Melon Kuma. This unique combination has propelled Yubari's Melon Kuma mascot to superstardom in the mascot world and in all of Japan.

Melon Kuma is unique and simple. Yubari is famous for the cantaloupe melons that grow on the surrounding farms. Long ago, a local black bear ate a Yubari melon and became half-melon half-bear. This is Melon Kuma, and every winter this solitary creature takes to the slopes in search of the same thing as you or I - deep Japanese pow. Only now, we have the skiing melon bear on film. Enjoy.

EP. 2 - YUBARI POW

There is an old saying in Japan that roughly translates to: "The snow feels deeper if you aren't a Melon Bear."

This is true, Melon Kuma rarely needs a snorkel while you and I should pack a snorkel just like we bring a hat and goggles.

Episode 2 focuses on the pow. The famous Japanese pow that never gets old and is also an integral part of any winter visit to Hokkaido. It feels redundant to always talk about how much it snows in Japan, but it's what we do, and as long as it keeps snowing we'll keep making videos of deep POW. Enjoy.

Ep. 3 - YUBARI LIFE

Life in Yubari has seen some changes over the past twenty years. The Yubari region was once Japan’s coal mining capital but has since seen a staggering population exodus as the coal industry disappeared in the 1980's. What remains attached to the dwindling town today is the Mount Racy ski resort and friendly locals who are hoping for a comeback rooted in tourism rather than tunneling.

Episode three of the Yubari video series shows you more of this town's soul. On the surface, there is light powder, Japanese hospitality, great food and the world's best mascot. However, it is the locals who make a visit to Yubari special. These are the friendliest people in the world and they all help make a trip to their part of the island unforgettable. Here is a glimpse of some other crucial pieces of the Yubari experience.

Mount Racey and the town of Yubari is one of Japan’s best-kept secrets that shouldn’t be missed on a trip to Hokkaido.

Don't judge a town by its property values or population growth, because there's more life in Yubari than most places we've ever been.

A fun stop-motion video we created for Stio

stio.com

A VIDEO SERIES FAR BEYOND DEEP SNOW

EP. 1 - YUKI

Yuki is the Japanese word for snow. Any attempt to portray Rusutsu without mention of the Yuki that falls here would be a very incomplete illustration of Rusutsu, Hokkaido, or even Japan. The snow is why we go to Japan in the first place, thus in the snow is where our video journey to Rusutsu begins.

This is why we dedicate the first episode solely to the incredibly deep and unbelievably light snow that buries Rusutsu each winter.

This is the first reason we travel to Japan; to find that feeling we are looking for when we chase powder.

EP. 2 - CHOWA

Chouwa means 'balance' in Japanese. Episode 2 focuses on parts of Rusutsu Resort that might seem secondary to the perfect snow on the mountain, but are integral to a complete winter vacation and Japanese experience.

How do you balance activity with relaxation, his adventure with her vacation, extreme and serene?

The Chouwa episode depicts a day in which no compromises were made, but everyone's expectations were met. Balance.

EP. 3 - NAKAMA

Nakama means 'family' in Japanese. Episode 3 shows the people who help make Rusutsu the place that it is. You know that the snow and hospitality in Japan are legendary, but without the employees highlighted in this episode then Rusutsu would not be able to serve breakfast or turn on the lifts each morning.

These are just a few of the greater Rusutsu family members who find enjoyment in seeing the joy of others. Without them a journey to Japan would not be the same.

The Nakama episode reveals those behind the scenes who are the ones making all travel experiences unforgettable. Everywhere one can visit there are individuals who strive to make the experience perfect. When you leave satisfied, it should be clear that these characters who are depicted, and many more, are members of the Rusutsu family that has welcomed you into their home for a visit.

Product video for Dragon

dragonalliance.com