Countdown to HNY 2018

Japan : Tokyo, Karuizawa, Niigata
Winter YE17>2018

Snowscoot 101 at Iwappara Ski Resort in Niigata
(Jan-2018)

Journal Entry... Can't say the hubby and I have not gone to Japan enough already. Why the hubby keeps clicking that online airline ticket reservation to Japan, whenever the holidays are approaching. It already had me reacting, "Japan, again?!!" For as long as hubby is paying for it... Here's to a Merry Christmas 2017, and Happy New Year 2018, in Japan!
25-dec: Arrived Tokyo... 
On Ground Zero
at Roppongi-Minato
via #AllNipponAirways. Check-in: Roppongi -Minato apartment. Gone were the scaffoldings and exterior construction works to reveal the building's fresh brick facade. The centuries-old tree at the entrance walkway was preserved... I'd pass it everyday and see a water-filled container next to it, like an offering. Along the main road was its new kid on the block, NYC's famed #ShakeShack, which did not escape the hubby and had become his go-to for late night burger-and-fries takeouts to no end, I was already shaking my head in disbelief to his insatiable appetite.

29-dec: Day trip to Karuizawa... I must say, the Karuizawa slope was a letdown for (only) having man-made snow; Google images showed otherwise. I'd say, better hop on back aboard the Shinkansen for Niigata's or Nagano's higher elevation, because I came to Japan for real winter snow. Unless you're interested to merely shop in the Karuizawa outlet stores. As for me, let's move on from Karuizawa, shall we?
Man-made snow for beginners at the Karuizawa Ski Resort in Niigata
31-dec: Shibuya Countdown to HNY 2018... Missed the 2016 Shibuya countdown to New Year 2017, so I made sure to experience the 2017 Shibuya countdown to New Year 2018 back in Tokyo for another yearender. How was it? As the banners said, "You Make Shibuya Countdown". There was no fanfare, no fireworks... a mere countdown screen above Starbucks, in Shibuya crossing. Hordes of people milled around the countdown screen, filling up streets that intersected to Shibuya crossing, and calmly awaited the stroke of midnight. Frenzy began as minutes counted to the last 60 seconds... and emotions erupted down to the last 10 seconds..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2.. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018 !!! TOKYO !!! 
On 1st of January, of 2018, I made my traditional visits to St. Ignatius - a Catholic Church located in Yotsuya, and the Sensoji Shrine - a Shinto Shrine located in Asakusa on the occasion of Hatsumode or visiting a shrine on every first day of the year, when in Japan.
Link to YouTube>>> Ungkler Travels | JAPAN feat. Countdown to HNY 2018

3-jan: Snowscooting down Niigata slope... 
Snowscooting down
Niigata slope
What is winter without snow? After a letdown from Karuizawa's man-made snow, hubby and I headed to Niigata. JR East Pass had two remaining slots, unused. Nagano would have been ideal also for snow activities, but going to those Nagano ski resorts was out of the question given a limited day trip. Niigata ski resorts, on the other hand, are near train stations, thus making the optional day trip for snow activities possible, from Tokyo. What is important is the fact that Niigata and Nagano areas have real snow come winter time, in Japan.
Snowfall is a necessary ingredient to snow activities, like snowscooting, in Niigata
Snowscooting down
Niigata slope
Rode the bus to Iwappara Ski Resort, from the Echigo-Yuzawa train stop. Because it was in Iwappara where they had snowscoot rentals. Having failed at skiing in Mount Teine, and snowboarding in Gala Yuzawa, I was hopeful I'd find my match in a snowscoot for grown-ups... than some sled over in the Kid's area. A snowscoot is part snowboard and part bicycle/scooter, without it being strapped to one's boots. That said, "Watch me snowscoot down the Niigata slope at Iwappara Ski Resort, weeeeeeeh !!!" (see, video) Snowfall in Niigata would not let up till nightfall, which is the necessary ingredient to snow activities.  Hubby and I were close to becoming Jigokudani snow monkeys, this time sighted snowscooting down Niigata slope in fur hooded matching green winter coats (after bathing in the Nagano onsen, lol.)
Ichiran ramen
Returning to Tokyo late evening, it was a must-stop for me to #Ichiran for that steaming bowl of miso-based ramen, before retiring on the last day. It was swell of a comforting meal, after all that snowcooting fun in Niigata. Minato-Roppongi branch was still open sans tourists lining up... nom, nom, nom goodness down to the last slurp! Ichiran had become my foodie tradition, either as first meal, or last meal, which also happens to be in every tourist's checklist, when in Japan.

 3-jan: Narita express to airport... Fast-track it on an express train to Narita, from downtown Tokyo, to catch the #AnaAirlines outbound flight to Manila. Hai!
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