Noboribetsu - Hokkaido, Japan (Winter Time)

Our stay at Hilton Niseko Village (HOKKAIDO WINTER TALES) had come to an end, and I felt a deep sense of fulfillment. Staying for two nights was indeed a luxury, albeit one that came with a price. However, the experience was worth every penny because Hilton Niseko Village truly is a star light, star bright place to stay when in Hokkaido.

With our luggage packed and loaded onto the coach after a hearty buffet breakfast, we embarked on our journey to Noboribetsu. The trip would take about four hours, with planned comfort breaks along the way, especially for the loo. After traveling for a little over an hour, we stopped at a store whose name eludes me.

First, I headed to the loo, then grabbed a coffee and stepped outside. There I stood, against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains with delicate flakes falling from the sky. Honestly, I cherish such moments. Sipping my coffee, I took my time to admire the serene scenery, far from the noise of the city. I stood quite a distance away from the rest of the group, many of whom were still inside the store.

 

It was a priceless kind of moment, allowing my mind to quiet down while I admired the snowfall. Despite the freezing temperature, it was a truly peaceful and reflective experience.

Time was up after 30 minutes, and we boarded the coach again, heading to our next stop: Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Village. Nestled within the picturesque winter landscape and the natural beauty of Hokkaido, Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Village is a 25-year-old theme park that brings to life the Edo Period (1603-1867), one of the most fascinating eras in Japanese history. 

This period marked the rule of Emperor Meiji, who ended the Samurai-controlled Shogunate rule and established the era known as Edo, which was the old name for Tokyo and the capital of Japan during that time. The village stands proud as a must-visit destination in Hokkaido due to its distinctive structure and captivating landscape.

Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Village draws visitors with its immersive Edo-period atmosphere and engaging cultural experiences. Visitors can explore traditional samurai and ninja residences, witness thrilling performances, and participate in various hands-on activities like archery and tea ceremonies. The village's authentic architecture, costumed staff, and vibrant festivals offer a unique and captivating glimpse into Japan's rich history.

Without a doubt, I must admit that Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Village, with its well-maintained grounds, is utterly admirable. It's a photographer's paradise, offering countless opportunities to capture stunning shots and strike poses. We spent time outside, soaking in the historical ambiance, before venturing into the dimmed environment of the Ninja Maze House. None of us were prepared for what awaited us inside.

As we entered one of the rooms, panels began twisting and the floor started slanting left and right. It was as if the entire room was rocking back and forth! If we hadn't held onto each other, we could have easily slipped and fallen. The experience caught us completely off guard and was quite unsettling. A little warning would have been appreciated so we could be more cautious!

Out of the Ninja Maze House, I hurriedly ran into a nearby wooden hut, seeking warmth by sitting close to the kerosene lamps. Damn! The death-defying Hokkaido winter had me literally in tears. Despite layers of winter clothes, my fingers and toes were completely numb. I couldn't help but wonder how people survive such an unruly winter. It beats me.

 

Once I regained my composure, it was time to stand in line for the winter limited-edition Samurai Show. It had a promising start with impressive swordplay and heroic action, but within ten minutes, boredom kicked in. It felt repetitive, watching the same actions over and over again. Despite it being just acting, I found the noise, the action, and the swordplay to be quite violent. Unfortunately, there was no escape until the show ended, even though the rest of the tourists were glued to the stage.

Following the line of people, our next stop was sitting on the floor to watch the Oiran Show in another theater. This show, depicting the Edo social life of Oiran concubines and featuring audience participation, injected some fun and laughter and was definitely better than the swordplay. Was it great? Not really. I felt it was a sheer waste of time.

After 40 minutes of sitting on the hard floor, struggling to stand up, we headed to the nearby restaurant. Once again, we were treated to a piping hot, self-service, cook-your-own-meal steamboat, accompanied by rice, porridge, and drinks. Honestly, I didn't mind. A nice meal to warm up in the winter was much appreciated.

Subsequently, we headed to Bear Park in Noboribetsu Onsen-Cho, taking a cable car up to the 550-meter high mountain top, followed by a 20-stair climb. Instead of viewing the various bear species outside, I dashed into the indoor "Brown Bear Museum." This museum, the only bear specialist museum in the world, houses 500 pieces of varying specimens detailing bears' biological and historical information. It did not disappoint. Honestly, it was quite an enlightening experience, and I had a great time taking pictures with the realistic-looking bear exhibits.

After two hours at the bear park, we stopped by a hypermarket for some retail therapy on our way to the hotel. While others shopped frantically for various foodstuffs, I just picked up a few boxes of chocolates. It was a mild jump start to shopping, and we were told that more was lined up for the next few days. By 7:00 pm, we arrived at Hotel Maharoba. Upon entering our room, we were puzzled by the absence of beds and wondered if we would be sleeping on the floor. 

We were later informed that traditional Japanese bedding, or futon, comprising a quilted mattress, would be laid out when we returned to the room after dinner. What a relief!

Wearing a kimono for dinner wasn't something I was particularly keen on, but I went with the flow for the sake of staying together as a united tour group. Dinner was perhaps one of the biggest seafood buffets I've ever seen, featuring all sorts of seafood, including huge steamed crab legs and crabs. It was a galore for those who could really eat. I opted for some salad instead, saving room in my tummy for the tempting and delicious varieties of Japanese desserts. Truly loved them.

Then came the moment of truth: the onsen nude bath. Did I opt for it? I chickened out despite being coaxed. I didn't dare, partly due to my Indian woman roots, where we are brought up to be shy, covering our bodies, and viewing nudity as a taboo. Hahaha! I said goodnight to my tour buddies, returned to my room, and idled the time away until it was time to call it a night.