I’ve always wondered what winter felt like in other countries. I remember the last “winter” (actually closing to spring already, so it didn’t really count?) I was last able to experience was back at Los Angeles, USA. I was still in the second grade of primary school. We were able to catch up with the last few hints of snow up towards the mountain area. It felt like such a surreal moment as a child to actually be able to experience those generic fantasies of being to build your own snowman, having snowball fights, making snow angels on the ground, and the like. Although being able to feel the snow was an enjoyable experience on its own, the main difference was that the cold in the atmosphere was not the same as that of an actual real winter. Thus, leading to this thirst to experience it one day.
During the last few months of 2015, I would frequently check and refresh airline websites to see if there were any airfare promos (What can I say? I love smart budgeting and planning. haha!), since I had this secret hope that, maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to book a flight to some country out there that actually had winter as one of its seasons.
One day, as if a prayer heard, my mother suddenly asked me if I wanted to tag along with her and my tita (aunt) on their trip to Nagoya, Japan on the month of February (still winter season in Japan). Do take note that she asked this about a week or two before departure date!
Apart from wanting to experience winter, it has always been a major goal on my bucket list to be able to, one day, visit most (if not all) of the major prefectures of Japan. So, what was originally supposed to be a trip for the two of them to meet with their friends at Gifu (north of Nagoya), ended up becoming a trip for two families combined (my mom and I, plus my tita and some of her children).
I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect once I arrived at Nagoya, since everything was very short notice. Because of that, I didn’t exactly get to do much research on what to see and do there. Most of the planning was done by my mom’s friends who live in Gifu. I didn’t really want to butt in on the planning, since this trip was really meant for them. I also felt pretty reassured by the fact that the itinerary made by a Japan local would be more reliable.
Airplane food from Philippine Airlines (PAL) in collaboration with All Nippon Airways (ANA)
We arrived in the evening on our first day and went straight to Gifu to stay over at a family friend’s place. One thing I did manage to research about was the absolutely (dreadfully) cold temperature in Japan! We expected to experience a range of 3-14 degrees Celsius, and we pretty much did. Luckily, we did somehow manage to prepare for this (my mom and I love to overprepare for travels. lol) by layering with thermal wear (Uniqlo’s is, by far, the best!), sweaters, hats, and gloves. Somehow, even if we did prepare, it just didn’t feel enough! The cold in Gifu is a totally different kind of cold compared to what we experienced in Nagoya (probably because the air is more dry than expected?).
Having hot and steamy ramen for our first night in Gifu was definitely the best was to start our winter experience in Japan. It’s just such a satisfyingly cozy feeling to be eating a hot meal on a cold winter day.
For day two, we headed to Nagoya in the morning to check-in the AirBnB apartment we booked beforehand. We found a very convenient place, not too far off from Nagoya’s main station. Having arrived close to lunch time, we stopped over Denny’s first before checking in our things at the apartment.
I have this thing for Japan’s curry. ♥
Being the sweet tooth that I am, I just couldn’t say no to dessert, even if ice cream seems like such a bad idea during the winter. lol!
Ate Jaq’s (my tita’s daughter) matcha + azuki + lychee + ice cream dessert. ♥
Asked Elyza-chan to smack this kairo heat pack on my back after eating at Denny’s. Stepping out of the restaurant just immediately reminded me that it was frikkin’ cold outside! haha! Though, I must say, this was quite the life saver! (Tip: Never stick these things directly onto your skin. It can burn your skin, since these things insulate very fast.)
After lunch and checking into our booked apartment, we headed to the Osu Shopping District to do some shopping! To anyone planning to go to Nagoya, this place is definitely a must to visit! The shopping strip just keeps going on and on! Though, I think there is one main alley, this shopping district also stretches out into other long side alleys where you can find even more options of stores to shop in!
We spent several hours shopping at this place. I didn’t get to go through all the shops, but we decided we’d be coming back on another day anyway, so I took the time to take note of the other stores I wanted to go back to.
In the evening, my mom and tita met up with some of their other friends so that we could all have an izakaya dinner together within the vicinity not too far off from our apartment. While waiting, we stopped by this kouen (park), since it was right across the restaurant they reserved seats from. Luck was definitely on our side that evening as we were able to spot early sightings of the sakura (cherry blossoms) at the park! ♥
Felt like such a dream come true to see this, even if they were still little buds. ♥
What we ate for dinner~
SUSHI ♥
Dessert! ♥ The french toast became a bit soggy, but it was so good since it tasted more like bread pudding! ♥
Heading back to our AirBnB apartment, I’ll give you a little tour of what our place looked like (I rarely get to post these kinds of things. haha!) I think this will also help you guys get a good idea of just how fun it is to pick apartments of all different kinds of styles via AirBnb (if you’re looking to experience something different from the typical hotel experience).
Back at our AirBnb aparment! I really love the place we chose, since it was the perfect blend of Western style + traditional Japanese. ♥
Our little kitchenette and living area.
The foyer where you leave your shoes is at the left side of the photo.
We needed to fill up our apartment refrigerator with drinks and snacks (helps us save money for quick breakfasts for the trip!), so we headed out to buy some things at the nearby konbini (convenience store). Every time I travel, I have this need to buy milk, since I find it difficult to fall asleep early at night (night owl over here haha). What I love about buying milk in Japan is their options for flavors. Most of which are flavors that I really love, such as matcha, and strawberry. ♥
This was a life saver in helping me fall asleep. (Say hello to my neko socks btw! haha!)
Ate Jaq and I loved staying in the “meeting room” with the tatami mats and all during night time, since we’re both pretty much night owls, so we just stay up and do some work/reading/chilling/watching TV here until we get sleepy. haha!
Bought a Larme magazine at the kombini because of reasons (shout out to mi Larme girls!! ♥)
The next day, I skipped out on the morning activities, since my stomach wasn’t feeling well that morning. 🙁 I decided to just tag along for the evening schedule, which was the Nabana no Sato Illumination (excitement!), so that I could give my stomach time to recover.
I often see hypes about winter illuminations in Japan through the many Instagram accounts of Japanese celebrities and locals that I follow (#stalker lol!) So, I was pretty curious as to how these are different from normal Christmas lightings in the Philippines. Now I know what all the fuss is about! haha!
If I had to describe my experience of the Nabana No Sato Winter Illumination, it was like walking through a dreamy Final Fantasy map with all the glowing lights and floating bio-luminescent creatures. ♥ This winter illumination wasn’t like a typical “corny” sight of being able to see colorful lights at night from just one angle. This was literally a walk through a winter light theme park! They had different zones with different styles of lighting–from lighting on plants, a lake, a moving observatory, and much more! It was totally worth the experience! I’ll let the photos do the talking. ♥
There was an area full of gorgeous plum blossoms, and still yet-to-bloom sakura. It was all so mesmerizing, as if I were in a Ghibli scene dedicated to trees of pink. ♥
The view from the moving observatory. It lifts up from the ground like an elevator, then the staff will allow you to stand up to take photos once if reaches the top. The view from here is the view of the dynamic lighting sitting on top of the lake.
AAAAA! I duuno how to describe this part of Nabana No Sato, you guys! It was part of the package that we were allowed access to the flower gardens, and it was just so gorgeous! I felt like Alice in Wonderland on a journey to the Spring of Eterna. ♥♥
Lilies! ♥
This reminded of the scene of the “Golden Afternoon” in Alice in Wonderland wherein she talked and sand with all the flowers. 😀
I can just imagine placing emojis on these flowers, to give the impression that they could talk. hehehe
Just imagine having a huge tea party over here! ugh ♥
THIS. I couldn’t contain myself when I saw this!! :(( WHAT IS BEAUTY YOU GUYS
It really reminded me of Magic Knight Rayearth and began to imagine what would it be like if I dove in, just like in the scene with the Spring of Eterna! :((
After all those feels (lol) in the flower garden, we went to to watch a light show on this massive (I’m talking theatre stage size) installation! I didn’t get to take photos, but I did manage to take a video! (Will probably post a vlog about it!)
I think Nabana No Sato definitely saved the best for last, since you’ll have no choice but to end up exiting after having crossed this gorgeous arched path illuminated by violet-blue lights. ♥ I definitely felt like I was a walking through that magical forest map in Final Fantasy X (sorry, I forgot the name of the map! :(( shame on me :(). It took me quite some time to just take in the beauty of the sight, and to just stretch my imagination into thinking that I might just have been sucked into a whole other world. ♥
After crossing the illuminated arched path, we went straight to the souvenir shop to buy some snacks and treats. We called it a night right after, and headed home to rest and prep for the next day!
If any of you out there are planning to go to Gifu (north of Nagoya) during the winter, I highly suggest you include the Nabana No Sato winter Illumination in your itinerary. Totally worth it! ♥
If you missed out on my other entries for the Nagoya, Japan blog series, do check out:
Nagoya, Japan (February, 2016) Days 4-5: http://www.armaineyapyuco.com/2016/06/04/nagoya-japan-feb-2016-days-four-five-nagoya-castle-o-su-market-narita-shrine-little-world/
Nagoya, Japan (February, 2016) Days 6-7: http://www.armaineyapyuco.com/2016/06/18/nagoya-japan-feb-2016-days-six-seven-nagoya-port-o-su-market-nagoya-airport/
