Okay, Sapporo: A Drummer's Dizzying Dive
okay, so i’m back from sapporo. and honestly? my brain feels like a cymbal crash. i’m a touring drummer, you know? usually, i’m bouncing between venues, fueled by lukewarm coffee and the sheer adrenaline of a gig. this was…different. it was…still fueled by lukewarm coffee, but with a whole lot more snow and a weird, persistent feeling that i was being watched by very polite pigeons.
let’s just say, the weather was… enthusiastic. i just checked and it’s spitting snow like it owes me money. seriously, the kind of snow that clings to everything and makes your eyelashes feel like tiny icicles. i’m not built for this, i’m a california kid. but hey, at least it was pretty. i spent a good hour just watching it fall, feeling vaguely existential.
my main mission? finding decent ramen. i’m serious. a drummer needs carbs. i ended up at this tiny place near *Susukino, recommended by a guy who looked like he’d been living on ramen for the past decade. he mumbled something about “the broth…it sings to your soul.” dramatic, right? it was actually pretty good. like, really good. check out the reviews on TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g298177-Sapporo_Hokkaido.html.
and the neighbors? if you’re feeling adventurous, Hakodate is just a train ride away. i didn’t make it this time, but i’m already plotting a return trip.
“Don’t go to the Sapporo Beer Garden on a Tuesday. Trust me.” That’s what a very drunk salaryman told me at a karaoke bar. Apparently, it’s overrun with tourists. He then proceeded to sing a surprisingly accurate rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.
gear list, because, you know, drummer brain:
My trusty sticks (Vic Firth 5A - can’t live without ‘em)
Noise-canceling headphones (essential for sanity)
Portable charger (because snow drains batteries faster than you’d think)
A ridiculously warm hat (seriously, invest in one)
A phrasebook (my japanese is… rudimentary)
pro-tip: learn a few basic japanese phrases. even just “arigato” (thank you) goes a long way. people are incredibly polite. i accidentally bumped into someone on the street and they bowed repeatedly, apologizing for me.
I also spent a lot of time wandering around *Odori Park. it was mostly just snow-covered trees and benches, but it had a certain… stillness. i found this little cafe nearby on Yelp https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=cafe&find_loc=Sapporo%2C+Hokkaido where i warmed up with some seriously good matcha latte.
“The snow festival is insane, but book your accommodation months in advance.” overheard from a local at a bar. Apparently, finding a place to stay during that time is like winning the lottery.
and the vibe? it’s… calm. like, really* calm. even in the bustling areas, there’s this underlying sense of quiet respect. it’s a nice change of pace from the chaos i usually deal with. i even checked out some local music venues - found a cool jazz club on a local forum https://www.sapporojazz.com/.
someone told me that the Sapporo Snow Festival is a must-see, but also warned me about the crowds. apparently, it’s like being swept away in a sea of snow and selfie sticks. i’ll keep that in mind for next time.
overall? sapporo was… unexpected. it wasn’t the wild, crazy adventure i usually seek out, but it was a welcome dose of quiet and snow. and really good ramen. definitely worth a visit, just… pack a hat.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/sapporo-snow-ramen-and-a-whole-lotta-cold-my-brain-dump
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- https://votoris.com/post/choking-on-comayagela-a-photographers-hazy-lens-on-air-quality
- https://votoris.com/post/tokyos-messy-streets-and-my-13degree-adventure