Let me tell you about the day I realized that Sapporo logic does NOT apply to Yakumo. 🚖 In the city, you just whip out your phone, open Didi or GO, and a car appears. But Yakumo is a whole different story, the ride hailing service don't exist out here. We found this out the hard way when we

P.S. The real MVP is Hokkaido’s Dairy products Hokkaido is famous for it, and they do NOT disappoint. You can’t leave Hokkaido without the mandatory late-night snack run. 🌙 We made it a routine to hop between Lawson, 7-Eleven, and Seicomart every night just to hunt for those exclusive Hokk

Job Hunting is Brutal. It's a Marathon. 🏃‍♀️ The constant applications. The waiting. The "we regret to inform you" emails that somehow still sting even when you're expecting them. It's not easy. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or extremely lucky. But here'

1. Sweaty and Freezing Cycle (A Winter Special) The biggest hassle in winter is the constant battle with your own outfit. It's freezing outside, but indoors and on trains, it's a sauna. Then you get on the train and... THE SEATS. 🍑🔥 They are heated!! My "Outfit Fix" for the ❄️➡

Learn from my mistake and Do NOT be full of yourself when it comes to the Hokkaido cold. I thought I was tough until the wind hit, and suddenly my fingers and toes felt numb like they were literally about to fall off. 💀 1st rule: HEAT PACKS ARE YOUR NEW BEST FRIENDS. Don't be a hero. Get the

After buying my 50th heat pack in Hokkaido, I became a scientist…🔬 Heatpack Science: How to actually activate it? Just opening the pack isn't enough, but you need to shake it to mix the ingredients, then tuck it close to your body or an inner pocket for ~5mins. Your body heat kick-starts the

I’ve been deep-diving into Japanese travel blogs and TikToks, and honestly, celebrating New Year in Hokkaido is a whole different ball game. It’s not just about the countdown but about the traditions. First up on my "must-eat" list: Toshi Koshi Soba. 🍜 Apparently, you have to eat these &

My latest self-improvement era? I’m becoming a collector of “Just In Case” skills. 🛡️ I went and got certified in CPR and First Aid! Holding that little card in my wallet is genuinely a weirdly huge flex. It’s like a tiny shield against the random mess life throws at you. Now, if something goes

You know you're fully adulting when you start noticing the tiny, unspoken social rules that everyone else misses. It's a curse and a blessing, because now I can't un-see it. Ditch the 'Luck': 🍀 Don't tell me 'Good Luck.' I seriously prefer 'All the Best.'

I’ve been challenging myself to actually remember and say these phrases instead of just relying on English. Why not go and truly experience the culture and interact with the locals? 🇯🇵 To me, it’s a form of respect. We can’t just expect everyone to speak our language, so the least we can do is t

When travelling solo, it’s tempting to plug in earpieces and blast music to shield yourself. I do that too. But I’ve learned to keep music low, or sometimes not play anything at all. 🎧 You still need to hear what’s going on around you. A trick I like: wear earpieces but don’t play music. People

Being alone also means being more aware especially when you’re moving around unfamiliar places. 👀 Walking around JB alone can be a tricky….the map looks like “just one road across,” but in reality, it’s not pedestrian-friendly at all. Roads aren’t built for walking, so Grab is honestly the bett

Travelling alone is very different from travelling with people. When you’re with others, sometimes you don’t dare to speak up: “Can I have a table at the top balcony?” “Please press harder during the massage.” When I’m alone, it’s actually harder for me to voice out but I force myself to.

If you’re thinking about solo travel but still feel a bit unsure, I honestly recommend starting small. You don’t have to jump straight into flying alone to some faraway country. Try a day trip first (JB is a good example). Close enough to feel safe, far enough to feel independent. It’s a chance

Okay, confession time. When I exercise, I have this absolutely terrible, not good mentality: Since I'm already here, let’s get it!! Whether it's the gym or playing sports, if I show up, I feel obligated to push myself ALL the way. At the gym, I’m trying to increase the weight or the rep