So we are back from our trip to Japan! We returned on a late Friday night flight and by the time we got home, it was well past midnight and we were exhausted.
I thought about blogging while we were in Japan because there were so many fun experiences and beautiful moments, but then something would be happening (skiing! dining! Lola laughing or discovering a new trick or being cute!) and the opportunity would pass. I have to say, I thought we would be better about recording the various moments of our trip (yes, I'm thinking cheesy home videos for posterity) but we are so focused on keeping Lola happy/fed/comfortable that often the best moments go uncaptured.
So let's start at the beginning - we left bright and early for Sapporo on Saturday morning, on a direct flight on Hong Kong airlines. It's one of the few airlines that has a direct flight and their business class tickets are actually quite reasonably priced, so we decided to go with them. I love traveling in business class anyway, but I have to say, it really takes the cake when you have a baby and all the bags. Check in was smooth and we got to relax in the lounge a little bit before we boarded. Once on the flight, Lola was a champ. She got through take off and landing very smoothly, and, other than being very curious and excited about all the people around her, took all of the strange sights and sounds in stride. She had a bassinet but was too distracted to really enjoy it. She only slept for a little bit!
Once we landed, we picked up our rental car, a Subaru with snow tires (although there was no snow on the roads - everything was incredibly well shoveled and clear) and began our 2 hour car ride to Niseko. Lola was perfect until the last half hour, when she was cranky/hungry/uncomfortable/scared/unhappy and unleashed cries of terror. Her huge tears and sad, whimpering face was almost more than we could bear! That last stretch was the only bad part.
We pulled into our rented apartment complex with a huge sigh of relief. And what a beautiful, stunning apartment it was. We decided to go with the Haven Niseko, a new apartment building that just opened in 2017. We had 1700 square feet of apartment space, with huge floor and ceiling windows, a full open kitchen, long dining room table, expansive living room with gas fireplace, two big bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (with heated towel racks, yes!), and heated floors. It also came with a maid's room next to the laundry room, although we didn't use it. The master bedroom also had a huge soaking tub. We really enjoyed staying in this place. It was amazing. We are already thinking about coming back in March of next year.
Here are some pictures:
There was this big balcony off of the kitchen/dining room area which also offered spectacular views of the ski runs and gondolas.
We went to the public onsen one night, but then opted for all the other nights to soak in the tub with the window cracked open and the shades drawn for our own private onsen experience.
The height of the snow was incredible - we were on the second floor, and it looked like we could walk right outside our windows at some places!
I thought about blogging while we were in Japan because there were so many fun experiences and beautiful moments, but then something would be happening (skiing! dining! Lola laughing or discovering a new trick or being cute!) and the opportunity would pass. I have to say, I thought we would be better about recording the various moments of our trip (yes, I'm thinking cheesy home videos for posterity) but we are so focused on keeping Lola happy/fed/comfortable that often the best moments go uncaptured.
So let's start at the beginning - we left bright and early for Sapporo on Saturday morning, on a direct flight on Hong Kong airlines. It's one of the few airlines that has a direct flight and their business class tickets are actually quite reasonably priced, so we decided to go with them. I love traveling in business class anyway, but I have to say, it really takes the cake when you have a baby and all the bags. Check in was smooth and we got to relax in the lounge a little bit before we boarded. Once on the flight, Lola was a champ. She got through take off and landing very smoothly, and, other than being very curious and excited about all the people around her, took all of the strange sights and sounds in stride. She had a bassinet but was too distracted to really enjoy it. She only slept for a little bit!
We pulled into our rented apartment complex with a huge sigh of relief. And what a beautiful, stunning apartment it was. We decided to go with the Haven Niseko, a new apartment building that just opened in 2017. We had 1700 square feet of apartment space, with huge floor and ceiling windows, a full open kitchen, long dining room table, expansive living room with gas fireplace, two big bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (with heated towel racks, yes!), and heated floors. It also came with a maid's room next to the laundry room, although we didn't use it. The master bedroom also had a huge soaking tub. We really enjoyed staying in this place. It was amazing. We are already thinking about coming back in March of next year.
Here are some pictures:
There was this big balcony off of the kitchen/dining room area which also offered spectacular views of the ski runs and gondolas. 
The apartment looked out onto a beautiful birch forest, which they cleverly designed to light up at night. On our first night there, we saw a beautiful, huge fox dart through the trees!
Our bedroom also had a nice view of Mt. Yotei, the active volcano that is one of the highest peaks in Hokkaido.
as well as a little balcony off of the bathroom which connected to the living room.
The master bath was wonderful, with a rain shower and huge soaking tub.
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