hokkaido

See our bright matchy scarves? Naomi suggested we do this so we’re super visible when we’re separated and wearing heavy black coats. Genius tip!

Spotted: 1/2 of the original BRUGs in Hokkaido. This one's near Sapporo Station.

Otaru is known for the music boxes and glass figurines. Obviously, we didn't let the kids walk into these stores. 😐

Hokkaido soft serve is a must, even if you’re lactose intolerant.

Dad and Bryson watched this lady build this gigantic snowman - funnier part is she built another one by the temple and we took a group shot with it. How did we know? Her signature scarf and hat she puts on the snowman, plus a pail with twinkling lights.

Traveling with Juju always guarantees a fun time. Right after this photo, she got stuck in the single stall bathroom. See? Always a fun time.

At midnight, there are no fireworks or cheers. The big celebration comes the next day during the first sunrise. It's a special moment to watch the first sunrise of the year with your family.

Jax had a great idea and busted open his Eden umbrella to protect Char from the falling snow.

Soft serve has never tasted the same since this trip.

Paw prints on a coffee truck in Furano? Hi, Chloe!

What a historic looking background, huh? It was actually right outside of the train station. LOL!

Not sure what the temperature is but we were COLD.

Ugh even the donuts are kawaii.

See that drink? It's hot mulled wine. in Germany, they call it gluhwein. So happy it made it's way to Japan.

A traditional Christmas meal - KFC!

Train ride to Otaru, the home of the music box museum.

We stayed at the Royal Park, which was right across from the famous TV Tower.

These Hokkaido Snow Birds inspired our design, "Sakura Snow Fairies".

AYCE Shabu literally gave the kids kanak attack!

While half the crew was playing in the snow, half were watching from our lobby balcony and spotted a FOX running across the park. How can??

Walking in snow? Get cleats. All of us fell except for three people, can you guess who?

Brys took himself snowboarding one day.

This was in Otaru right before Phillip slipped crossing the street! Tip 1: Get cleats! Tip 2: Get cleats that fit your foot size.

Eden on the Go Japan Town totes were part of our daily uniform.

The fruit in Japan is daijobu!

The boys somehow always find themselves at a cigar bar. This time it was a coffee lounge, too!

Ramen spots in Ramen Alley can fit parties of 4-6 MAX. So we split! Girls had ramen at a random spot.

The Dangs and Kawajis were in Hokkaido during Christmas so they went to the Christmas Markets, which were replicas of the ones in Germany. SNOW COOL!

Bryson spots Chloe everywhere! This became a centerpiece in our hotel room during our trip.

This was so magical! Little did you know this was shot in a parking lot jam packed with cars. HO HO HOKKAIDO!

We found Brug in Hokkiado and OMG, we even ran into Miho, the Brug owner from Hawaii there. What a HO-HO-HO NAHHHH surprise.

Train rides to somewhere magical... anyone else scared the gates will slap their knees when tapping into Japan stations? Same.

Whiskey shots wherever we went kept us toasty.

A great Japanese meal for a great Japanese couple. LOL!

Omakase dinner for Christmas, that’s the Chef!

The kids loved seeing snow fall for the first time.

The Hans in Han-kkaido.

Hokkaido is also the home of Sapporo Beer. Kampai!

Isn’t Tanna freezing you ask??! Nope! Read her article on how she stayed warm and stylish in the snow in our blog.

The Joshuas before they went sledding in Furano.

Our signature family photo on day one in the snow.

Bryson, always eating something delicious. Tanna, always shooting something delicious.

Roy and Karen came up a few days earlier so we had some serious and crazy adult time in Otaru and around the city during Christmas.

While Charlise made snowmen, Roy preferred to eat them!

Charlise's room had a choice view of the TV Tower. Swoon!

Papa Steve loved watching the kids play from this outdoor balcony at our awesome hotel. It's right across from Sapporo TV Tower.

Japanese food for the win.

Two words: corn butter.

Did we mention butter corn is a thing in Hokkaido? I'll never eat ramen the same way again.

Bread, but make it cute. Only in Japan! This actually inspired our Boo Bear design.

At the "yatai", you can sit and eat only if you purchase food from the vendor. Then you need to squeeze all the way in and eat super fast. Check!

Eden on the go, snow version.

We did a mini food crawl in Otaru - do you know how impossible it is to eat with gloves, inner gloves and heat packs on your hands?

"Where's LIV?" - she actually fell in the snow behind this "n" and no one could see her!

New Years Eve in Japan means everything is closed except for Yoshinoya. So we waited in line, even during a blustery snowstorm!

Brys took Alys, Phillip and Isaac to 'the best ramen' in the new ramen alley. It was so good!

The whole gang made it to Hokkaido!

The gang made it to Sapporo just in time for the new year.