Aired (January 5, 2025): Looking for the best ways to enjoy the winter in Japan? Join Biyahero Drew as he embarks on exciting winter adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun.
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00:00It's a new year, a new opportunity to achieve our travel bucket list, Leros.
00:07For us Filipinos who are used to hot weather and rain,
00:11our shout is, let's experience the snow!
00:16So on this trip, I'm sure you'll be cold
00:20in the quiet levels of winter activities
00:23and you'll be able to witness the beauty of this place.
00:31Let's go to Japan? Ready? Get set?
00:35Snow!
00:46One of the 25 countries in the world that must visit in 2025.
00:51In this beautiful country, who wouldn't want to come here?
01:00Because it's winter in Japan from December to February,
01:03it's snow time!
01:06Let's go for a ride in the snow!
01:08Sledding is included.
01:12Tourists ride a sled that has a leash to walk on.
01:16Just like Santa and his reindeers.
01:19But wait, what is this?
01:22Sledding in Hokkaido instead of reindeers?
01:26But...
01:28You're doing dog sledding for the first time today.
01:31First time! That's why we're so excited!
01:33Why is it just here? Or are there other dog sled activities around Hokkaido?
01:41We have 3 or 4 dog sledding tour companies in Hokkaido.
01:46But this area is the only one.
01:49This area is called Tokachi area.
01:51So we don't have much snow than Niseko or Sapporo.
01:59But the temperature is very cold.
02:02So it's easy to make the dog sledding trail.
02:07And the dogs can run powerfully in cold temperature.
02:11If it's a warm temperature, the dog gets tired soon.
02:16Before we go sledding, let's learn the basics first.
02:21Let me tell you how to control and drive a dog sled.
02:25Our trail is about 12 kilometers long.
02:29There are many corners.
02:32Right and left.
02:34Downward and upward.
02:37So you have to take the balance.
02:39Like skiing.
02:41Lean not only your head.
02:44Sled and body lean inside.
02:47So you turn easily.
02:50If your skill or speed is very fast.
02:52You just step on the brake.
02:54So you can slow down.
02:56And you step on the strongly.
03:00Then you can stop.
03:01So I'm asking why other dogs are angry.
03:05They are not angry.
03:06They are just excited.
03:09Like, the dog is fast. I want to run.
03:12That's it.
03:15And the dogs that are not with you.
03:18When you leave, they cry.
03:20Why are you not with me?
03:22Like that.
03:26It's funny, right?
03:28See?
03:29For the running error of the dogs.
03:32Perfect!
03:34Let's get the dogs out.
03:44Siberian Husky, Greyhound and Alaskan Malamute
03:47are the breeds of dogs that can hide in the cold.
03:51There are 28 dogs in the place.
03:53And each has a name.
03:55They are very friendly.
03:57What's her name?
03:59His or her name?
04:01Yeah, he's Axel.
04:03Axel.
04:05Does it have to be all males?
04:08No.
04:10We use male and female as well.
04:14Is one superior to the other?
04:17Stronger than the other?
04:19Or it depends?
04:20No.
04:21I concentrate on the character.
04:24Friendly.
04:25Don't fight.
04:26Right.
04:27You consider the relationship between all dogs.
04:30Yeah.
04:33In Hokkaido's snow-covered areas since the 1900s,
04:36dog sledding is the key in delivering goods,
04:39letters, and more.
04:41That's right.
04:42They're dog riders.
05:12Being pulled by the dogs, right?
05:14Of course, we think that if a guard or a dog
05:18comes to our house,
05:20they won't be able to pull us.
05:23The sled is useful.
05:25But yeah, when you see their attitude,
05:28their excitement,
05:30when they want to run,
05:32it's great.
05:34When they stop, it's like,
05:36what's that?
05:38Let's go, let's go.
05:39It's like a bunch of teenagers
05:42who want to play basketball
05:44but the court is wet.
05:46They want to wipe the court
05:48and play basketball.
05:50That's pretty much,
05:52that's probably how I encapsulate their excitement.
05:55Man, it's definitely worth it.
05:56Like what I said,
05:57I guess this is going to be
05:59the highlight of your Eastern Hokkaido trip.
06:01That's for me.
06:03Great dogs.
06:04Good job, dogs.
06:10If you can't handle the cold in dog sledding,
06:13you can also just walk.
06:15Have you tried trekking
06:17but on ice?
06:18Cool!
06:19Stick hold.
06:22But we're going to do a different kind of trekking today.
06:25The deeper the snow,
06:27it's actually 30 centimeters deep.
06:30That's why we need to wear snow shoes
06:33to be able to swim.
06:34If not, we'll just drown.
06:37Anyway,
06:38I think it's going to be like a 30-minute snow walk
06:41going to the falls.
06:42So, let's go.
06:44The magical reward is waiting for us at the end,
06:46ice-cold falls.
06:50To reach the ultimate destination,
06:52it's a 30-minute walk.
06:59It looks like someone is still with us on the trek.
07:02You can see animals,
07:05such as cats, deer, fox, and others.
07:08So, be mindful of your surroundings.
07:11Before you reach the frozen falls,
07:13you'll have to go through something.
07:23Do you want a white sandbag on the beach?
07:28Okay, white sandbag.
07:31Okay.
07:33Now, we're going to swim here.
07:36Yeah.
07:39A few steps from here,
07:41we'll reach the ultimate destination,
07:43the frozen waterfalls.
07:47There.
07:50That's what I expected
07:52from Maragasang Waterfalls.
07:56By the way, it's winter time now.
07:58Most of the bodies of water are frozen,
08:03except for Emery Beach.
08:04But anyway,
08:06we reached the destination after a 30-minute trek.
08:09It wasn't very easy
08:11because the weather is cold.
08:14My hands hurt.
08:15I think I need three gloves.
08:18But you know what?
08:19It's always an adventure.
08:20It's always worth it.
08:22Whatever pain that you have to go through,
08:24whatever inconvenience
08:26you have to go through
08:28just to see something new.
08:32Right?
08:33It's all worth it.
08:35Frozen waterfall.
08:37Check.
08:38Great.
08:39Let's swim in the sea.
08:48Wait a minute.
08:49I don't think we'll be able to swim.
08:51Aside from the cold,
08:52the river here is also frozen.
08:54It's snowing.
08:57It's not like we can't swim.
08:58There's still an activity we can do.
09:00Fishing!
09:02But what about the ice?
09:05Local tour operators provided
09:07what we can use for snow fishing.
09:10So there's nothing left to do
09:12but to enjoy the view.
09:19Who asked you to go to the casino?
09:22Who asked you to go to the casino with me?
09:27During summer,
09:28these fish go to the sea
09:30because this lake is connected to the sea.
09:34During winter,
09:35they go here.
09:37And they thrive here.
09:39Here you go.
09:43Good job.
09:45The fish caught
09:46can be cooked right away.
09:48You eat the sashimi?
09:49No.
09:50No, it's hard, huh?
09:52I don't recommend.
09:53Don't recommend?
09:54Like one?
09:57Next, catch and cook yarn?
09:59We can't say no
10:00to a food trip in the middle of a frozen lake.
10:04We just finished cooking tempura.
10:06Just like a few minutes of deep frying.
10:10They put it here
10:11and served it with onion soup.
10:13Cheers!
10:14Cheers!
10:15Thank you so much.
10:16Thank you, thank you so much.
10:21It's cold.
10:22I can feel my lips now.
10:24It's so cold.
10:26Okay, so how do you eat the tempura?
10:32Okay.
10:33Salt.
10:34Salt?
10:41Fresh!
10:44It's like it was just caught a few minutes ago.
10:47How often do you fish?
10:50Almost every day.
10:52So this is a normal thing for local folks?
10:55Ah, yes.
10:56Fishing and trekking.
10:57Yes.
10:58Oh, nice.
10:59Very nice.
11:00Thank you so much.
11:01Yeah.
11:09Oishi!
11:10Oishi!
11:11Oishi!
11:12Oishi!
11:15Welcome to Maliliit na Isda!
11:17We're here at the gigantic seafood,
11:19the king crab.
11:22It's called king crab
11:23because of its enormous size.
11:25It can reach up to 2 to 4 kilos.
11:28Oh my!
11:29King crabs are usually caught in the winter
11:31when the sea is cold.
11:33That's alive.
11:34That's alive.
11:35Crab.
11:36Crab.
11:38Wow.
11:39Can I hold?
11:41Okay.
11:47Heavy.
11:48Very heavy.
11:50How many kilos?
11:52Small size.
11:53This is small size?
11:57What's the big size?
11:58Big size.
11:59Big size.
12:01No?
12:02No.
12:04Not only does the king crab live here,
12:06there's more!
12:08Scallop.
12:09Sashimi.
12:11Scallop sashimi.
12:14This is small.
12:15This is still small!
12:16Yeah.
12:18Of course, you have to try the king crab.
12:21I'm going to check it out first.
12:24And for those who are allergic to seafood,
12:25close your eyes first.
12:31Okay.
12:33Not okay.
12:34Okay.
12:36Oishi!
12:37Oishi!
12:38It's very juicy.
12:40Succulent.
12:42I want to take this home.
12:45Perfect with sake.
12:47Not only does the king crab complete our food trip,
12:50when you're in Japan,
12:51this is one of the things you should try.
12:56When the weather is cold,
12:57hot soup is perfect for Chan.
13:00Presenting the soup that will make you say,
13:03yeah man,
13:04in every breath.
13:06Ramen!
13:10One of the ramen shop owners here,
13:12is our fellow countryman, Agnes.
13:14What I notice about the ramen houses,
13:16and also in Manila,
13:17is that it's so small.
13:19The occupied seats are only 8 to 10.
13:22And the food is served so quickly.
13:25Yes.
13:26And the noodles,
13:27it doesn't need to be...
13:29soggy.
13:30Even the soup needs to be hot.
13:33Chinese missionaries were the first to bring the concept of noodle soup to Japan.
13:37It became ramen,
13:38because the Japanese made their own version.
13:43In Sapporo,
13:44miso ramen is one of the famous ramen.
13:46Where the miso,
13:47made from soybeans,
13:49is mixed with chicken or pork.
13:51For you,
13:52what is it,
13:53why do you keep making your ramen?
13:56The taste.
13:57The broth.
13:58Yes.
13:59We're adjusting the soup,
14:00the taste of the soup.
14:01Steaming is also for the Japanese,
14:03when cooking ramen.
14:04Because of the amount of soup,
14:06the amount of noodles should be even,
14:08to get the right taste.
14:13That's why even if it's a long line,
14:15it's worth the taste.
14:21My realization is that,
14:24I'm happy that,
14:26there are a lot of ramen places in the Philippines.
14:30You don't really have to go to different countries in Sapporo
14:34to achieve this type of ramen.
14:36But,
14:37the thing is,
14:40Sapporo's weather is perfect,
14:42it's so cold,
14:43and you can eat delicious ramen,
14:45just like this.
14:46It's perfect.
14:48Are you full?
14:49Are you ready for an adventure?
14:52Let's continue the winter fun,
14:53in the winter sports,
14:54that are played here in Japan.
14:56Can a beginner like me do this?
14:58Alright, viewers,
14:59we're here at Kokusai Ski Resort.
15:02Just one hour away from Sapporo,
15:04by car.
15:06And,
15:07it's your go-to place,
15:09if you want to go snowboarding,
15:11or if you want to go skiing.
15:13The good thing about this place is,
15:14they have like seven levels,
15:15from beginners,
15:18to advanced.
15:19And of course,
15:20you can rent out the board,
15:21you can rent out the gear,
15:23and of course,
15:24also a bonus is that,
15:25you can take a tour.
15:27Let's go?
15:28Let's go now.
15:30Since we're here,
15:31let's stretch our bones,
15:32and our muscles.
15:33Let's move around too.
15:35Then,
15:36let's learn how to use the equipment.
15:38And when you're ready,
15:39let's go snowboarding!
15:45Are you looking for an adrenaline rush?
15:47Well,
15:48this is perfect for you.
15:49It's scary,
15:50but you should always be game.
16:00Thank you!
16:01Thank you!
16:04Alright!
16:05Wow!
16:06You know,
16:07the first time we did snowboarding,
16:08in Seku.
16:10Yeah.
16:11Our snowboard was a bit short.
16:14This one,
16:15we had to take a lift.
16:17It was a bit windy,
16:19it was a bit colder,
16:20but it's okay.
16:21It was worth it,
16:22because you can snowboard
16:24or ski for a long time,
16:26and it was so much fun.
16:28Even though,
16:2910 years younger than me,
16:30just flew by,
16:32it's okay.
16:33I mean,
16:34I was having fun with my sensei,
16:36and he was teaching me
16:38backflips,
16:39and three,
16:40no, I'm just kidding.
16:41But anyway,
16:42so much fun.
16:43Peace out.
16:46One more,
16:47one more!
16:49Are you a certified winter sports lover?
16:51If not,
16:52there's more!
16:55Alright friends,
16:56we're here at Takino Snow World,
16:58where you can do a lot of snow activities.
17:01Of course,
17:02you've got your skiing,
17:04snowboarding,
17:05you have your long 200-meter
17:08two-day,
17:09which is, I think,
17:10one of the longest in Japan.
17:13We're going to do
17:14cross-country skiing.
17:16Can you please teach me
17:17how to ride this?
17:19Nordic skiing, yeah?
17:20Nordic skiing.
17:22Can you teach me?
17:23Yes.
17:24Okay.
17:26Unlike downhill skiing,
17:27the Nordic style
17:28is all about the toe.
17:30It's the first part of the boots
17:32that are clipped on the ski.
17:34It's more challenging.
17:35Phew!
17:36How do I do this?
17:37Walking?
17:38Walking.
17:44We're so fast.
17:46Expectation versus reality,
17:48right?
17:56Oh no,
17:57I fell.
17:58I fell.
17:59Beginner.
18:01Shouting a dito.
18:03Oh well,
18:04I tried my best.
18:05On to the next sport.
18:08The aero tip.
18:09Do you want free fun?
18:10There's that.
18:11It's already in your pocket,
18:12even for young at heart.
18:14Who says no when it's free?
18:17There are wooden slides
18:18that you can use for slides.
18:20Perfect for kids.
18:21Kids can also do this.
18:23Just like our assistant cameraman,
18:24Moong.
18:25There.
18:26That's how you do it.
18:28If your body aches from the cold,
18:30just relax.
18:31Let's go to the hot place.
18:36This is the Japanese hot spring bath
18:38better known as onsen.
18:40In this hot water,
18:42you can cook eggs.
18:46There are 56 hot springs
18:47in the Hokkaido district,
18:49but this is the most famous one.
18:51The water temperature here
18:52is between 60 and 80 degrees Celsius.
18:55It's like you're boiling water.
18:58But it's perfect for a hot bath
19:00with a relaxing view.
19:04Perfect.
19:06If you're not yet satisfied
19:07with the hot onsen,
19:08let's add more heat
19:09with the help of their famous drink,
19:11sake.
19:13I've always been a fan
19:14of drinking sake.
19:17I see this fountain.
19:20What's the connection?
19:22Is this a water fountain?
19:31Why is water important
19:32in making sake?
19:48Not yet sake.
19:50Just kidding.
19:52Sake plays an important role
19:53in Japanese culture,
19:54especially in celebrations.
19:56Drinking sake
19:58is a symbolic act of cleansing
20:00that means a new beginning.
20:03Let's go to the New Year's Resolution Yard.
20:06Taste now?
20:07Ah, tasting.
20:09You understood that.
20:11June, my shoe is made with white rice,
20:13polished, less than 60%.
20:18Oh.
20:20It's very smooth.
20:23It's very smooth.
20:24It has acid.
20:27Ah.
20:32Hi.
20:34I didn't know that
20:3710.30 in the morning
20:38I drank sake
20:39and didn't have breakfast.
20:44We should've done this last night.
20:46Okay.
20:51Thank you so much.
20:54In cold places in Japan during winter,
20:56they have a gimmick
20:58to make it easier for tourists.
21:01Like this hotel.
21:02A hotel made of ice.
21:04Nice.
21:06Of course, it's for tourists.
21:08Tourists come here
21:11to take pictures.
21:13But of course,
21:14there are people who want to check in.
21:16You know,
21:17it's like,
21:18you're gonna think,
21:19ice hotel.
21:21Your room is ice.
21:23Isn't it cold inside?
21:25How can I sleep?
21:27Let's go to one of the three
21:29livable ice hotel rooms.
21:34It's, it's, it's ice.
21:37I don't want to.
21:38I might get a cold.
21:39Let's not.
21:41You can just say,
21:42ice, ice, deli de.
21:47It's a chair, ice.
21:48Of course, you'll get a cold because of the ice.
21:50But you'll sleep inside a sleeping bag.
21:53Because a sleeping bag
21:54can withstand really cold temperatures.
21:57It's comfortable.
22:00It's comfortable.
22:04You don't want to sleep?
22:06That might be a slight problem
22:09because even though
22:12it's supposed to be insulated
22:14and it's supposed to be warm inside
22:19because it's still ice,
22:21the majority of your surroundings
22:27are still cold.
22:29A new year,
22:30a new opportunity.
22:31Not only to try new things,
22:33but also to travel to the places
22:35we dream of going to.
22:37Like Japan.
22:40Even though the seasons are different,
22:41Japan is just there.
22:43So with a little effort and perseverance,
22:44you can save up too.
22:47Here's to more travel goals this 2025, Viejos!