6-Week Trip Asia – Sapporo, Japan Part 1 – Logistics

My daughter and I are on a 6-week trip through Asia, three of those weeks are in Japan.  My husband said I should definitely take her to Sapporo,  for the infamous Sapporo Snow Festival.  I tried to find an Airbnb but being such late in the hour, there was nothing reasonable for just us two.

I thought I would give Hotels.com a try and lucked out.  I found the APA Sapporo Susukino – Ekimae Hotel – just blocks from the festival and perfectly located to other activities as well.  I got a refundable rate of $130 with breakfast, that is really good with such a large event in town.

I had the JR Pass (Japan Rail) but I still had to pay a seat reservation fee for 2 of the trains (we had to take a total of 5 trains including the local).  UGH!  I also bought my daughter one because I didn’t want her on my lap (under six can always ride FREE if child stays on your lap).  Eight hours after leaving Tokyo we arrived in Sapporo.  At least we had some amazingly beautiful scenery along the way.  We also met a fantastic family from Australia and Ellie sat with them during part of the ride.

The Sapporo Station is in a very cool complex with a large shopping mall, an entire floor of restaurants and the JR Tower with a view of the city.  It’s a 10 minute taxi ride  – and about 1000 yen to the APA where we stayed.  Taxis are very safe, secure and immaculately clean.

The APA is a “business” hotel I am told.  The reception hardly spoke a word of English but we managed.  The hotel is old and worn, with dirty carpets in the halls but lots of room amenities. They supply kimonos, slippers, full size toiletries, razors, toothbrushes, etc. in the room.  There is also a water kettle, tea and a frig – and a flat screen of course.  I love the separate shower and really deep tub.  Ask for one of the non-smoking floors.  The bed wasn’t bad and I actually liked the pillows.

There is a restaurant in the lower level where we had our “free” breakfast.  It includes – all kinds of Japanese breakfast foods – fish, vegetables, rice, miso, etc.  I did have some of that the first day but the. switched to mostly yogurt and fruit.  It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.

If you are looking for a decent hotel with a good location and amenities – look no further than the APA Hotel.  If you are looking for a very cool city with activities for the whole family – look no further than Sapporo.