Ace arrived at my hotel at noon with typical precision and friendliness. Belgrave – Tullamarine – Hong Kong (UPGRADED YES!!!!) – Tokyo – Chitose – Niseko, finally. After collecting Bruce and Aranca from the airport, we cruised through the lush rural landscapes of Hokkaido with Eisuke (Ace) in his element. His love of the region is clear and when the talk drifts to winter, Ace is passionate. Snow from Siberia, powder, deep powder, 15 metres last season. He can’t wait. The jovial Ace is excited already,
Not much sign of Autumn yet. That’s OK. The green is stunning. Potato harvest everywhere, lots of agriculture, but this will be covered in snow for half the year. Only 4 million people in Hokkaido and the average age of the farmers is 60!! Glorious, wild, serious winter, great farmland but none of the youngies want to work here. Brighter lights elsewhere.
Pit stop at big tourist stop. Fifty varieties of mushroom? Tempura Shitake for lunch compares well against the ham and tomato sandwich.
everyride 