After doing so much travelling the last few weeks (India, Australia, Bali) heading to Japan for the first time was almost the last thing we wanted to do. Plus when you travel on cheap tickets and have to fly Bali – Singapore – Taipei – Tokyo – Sapporo in 24 hours it isn’t really exciting. I think I’m feeling down because I had food poisoning as well and was day 3 of not eating as I couldn’t stomach anything.
That said we left Singapore and things were looking good, that was until 1.5 hours into the flight there was medical emergency in isle 32! “I’m sorry we will have to turn the plane around and head back to Singpore” said the captain. Really? Another 3 hours later we leave Singapore again. We originally was going to have the afternoon in Tokyo but that changed to evening by the time we got there.
After checking into our hotel (not the greatest) we decided to head out after grabbing a bite to eat. My first meal and not a good idea, well at least the public toilets are clean in Japan. Deciding to power on as this was the only chance to see Tokyo we walked the cold streets in search of entertainment. What could be better than one of these weird and wonderful Japanese knick-knack stores with the most unusual bits. Crazy stuff – USB drives made of little lego people, stickers, costume gear and more.
Then we came across a karaoke bar. But not just any bar, this was a 20 storey karaoke building with private rooms with a couch and table (caravan style), a tv and microphone and an ultra sophisticated ordering devise where you order food and drinks and they are delivered to the door in 10 minutes.
Singing for the first time I discovered I wasn’t very good, but that didn’t stop Al and I rocking out Sonny and Cher and classics like ‘My Way’ oh and given Al is a speed reader he turned out to be a pro at Eminen hip hop.
Next a little Japanese restaurant for some Sake, fried chicken and other weird and wonderful fried food. Then off to a pachinko, its like a pokie room however slightly more confusing. You give the man at the counter $10 (10,000 yen) and he puts it in the pokie machine for you and out comes 100 blank coins. You then gamble until you decide you have no chance in hell oh and the smoke filled room is sending you blind. Try to cash the remaining coins in for real money and they give you a choice of toys, drinks, pens, toilet paper – you name it and they have it on display.
It’s just like the ekka when you win a toy except I’m now paying for something I don’t want.. How it works here is if you win big, your are given a toy and then go around the dark street corner to a little man give him the toy and you get the cash. This is how in Japan they bi-pass the law of gambling.
The next day we flew to Sapporo then caught a bus to Niseko – Hikido Villiage. Staying at a very nice apartment in town we pretty much worked for the first 2 days solid catching up from being offline for so long. Our business partner flew in on the third day and that’s when it all got a little more exciting.
We were in Niseko on business promoting our business Powderlife. Every meeting was a success and now our brand Powerlife (www.powderlife.com) will be going global over the next year.
Why this part of the world is so incredible is the powder. The snow is amazing and in one day fell 54cm and just is so beautiful. Niseko is also a hidden gem, the food here is amazing. From a pizza to traditional miso soups and Japanese foods – it is a gourmet travellers delight.
Now felling better, I ate more food in a week then Al! Yes, we had cheese fondue (our winter tradition), wine, noodles, tempura vegetables, soup, mushrooms, and more incredible meals. Oh if you even come to Japan it’s worth the trip to these cute villages where holes in the wall are little michelin star restaurants and the food will make you come back time and time again.