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DC Cherry Blossoms Peak Bloom
We headed to DC to see the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin this morning as the NPS declared peak bloom yesterday. Although the sky was mostly overcast, it was warm and the flowers were beautiful as usual. And, of course, it was busy!
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Niseko to Sapporo
After ten nights at the Hilton Niseko Village, we had our last breakfast at the property and headed out to ski one last time. After draining our last 12 point passes on the Banzai Chair, we returned our skis to Village Sports and returned to our room to clean up, pack, and check out. We then took a bus to Sapporo where we checked into the ANA Crowne Plaza, walked around the city a bit, and had dinner at Sapporo Kanihonke.
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Skiing at Niseko
After New Year’s Day, we’ve spent 7 of the last 8 days skiing here at Niseko Village and the adjacent Grand Hirafu. We’ve experienced quite a variety of conditions as well as a bit of the region’s famous Japow.
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Niseko Village
We’ve been staying at the Hilton Niseko Village since arriving on New Year’s Eve. Other than skiing, we’ve done a tiny bit of exploring in the area and have had some food from restaurants nearby as well as various snacks from the konbinis here.
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New Year’s Day at Niseko
We woke up early for Hatsuhinode, the viewing of the first sunrise of the year, up on Niseko Annupuri. No sun was to be seen. We returned for breakfast at the Hilton and then headed out for our first ski day of the trip. After, we headed to Hirafu for a very late lunch and % ΔRΔBICΔ before returning to Niseko Village.
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New Year’s Eve at the Hilton Niseko Village
After waking up at the ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose, we had breakfast and checked out to take a bus from the JR station to the Hilton Niseko Village. Once we arrived, we checked in and did a bit of exploring before our room was ready. After getting our room, we picked up our rental skis and had dinner. In the evening, we saw a taiko performance and fireworks at midnight for the new year.
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From Tokyo to Chitose
We checked out of the Mercure in the morning and headed to Tsukiji for an early seafood donburi lunch. After we visited the Namiyoke Inari Shrine, had some sushi, and spent some time at Hibiya Park. We then headed to Haneda, getting our bags from the Mercure on our way. We flew to Chitose on JAL and took a bus to the ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose for the evening.
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Cats, Planes, and More in Tokyo
After waking up at the Mercure, we visited the nearby Haneda-jinja, popular for aviation safety, before going further away to Gotokuji, a temple with thousands of Maneki-neko. We then came across a fantastic Mount Fuji view, had lunch, and checked out the new Azabudai Hills before dinner nearby. We ended the day by viewing winter illuminations at Roppongi and the Meguro River.
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Enoshima
After waking up at the Mercure, we headed over to Enoshima by train, getting breakfast on the way. Once we arrived at the island, we had an early lunch before visiting the island’s temples and the Sea Candle. We then went to the Enoshima Caves before leaving Enoshima around sunset. We had dinner on the way back at Yokohama Station.
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Mount Takao
After waking up at the Mercure, we went up to Tokyo Station where we had tsukemen for breakfast at Rokurinsha. We then took the train to Takaosanguchi, a chairlift partway up Mt. Takao, and then walked up to the summit. We enjoyed the view as well as the Takao-san Yakuo-in before returning to Tokyo. We then went to see the winter illuminations at Tokyo Midtown and Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.
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Here and there but not quite everywhere!