Our First Snowy Adventure in Niseko with Pepper

Hello everyone! Welcome to our very first blog post. With winter still around, we thought it would be perfect to share with you about our trip to Niseko, Hokkaido last year. This journey holds a special place in our hearts as it was the first time Pepper experienced snow. The anticipation of finding out if she would love the snow as much as we do made the adventure even more exciting!

Getting to Niseko with Pepper was quite the journey. We couldn't take her on a plane (in-cabin) from Tokyo to Hokkaido, so we had to find another way. We took a bullet train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate, then a local train to Toya Station, and finally, we drove to Niseko. It was a long trip, and we were a bit worried about the train situation with Pepper — the longest train ride she had done. But it all turned out fine. Actually, it was a really good training for her before taking a long-haul flight in the future. :)

Pepper did great on the train ride. She just slept most of the time.

When we arrived in Shin-Hakodate, she seemed a little nervous because of the new environment and the colder air.

All the nervousness faded away when we reached Niseko. Pepper LOVED the snow! She had so much fun jumping and playing in it. We stayed at a dog-friendly house in Annupuri, which was very cozy and made us feel at home right away.

This snowy background! ❄️

Pepper just has to be involved in everything we do, especially when we're prepping for dinner.

In Annupuri, we found a few dog-friendly restaurants and cafes where dogs were allowed inside. Here are the two places we returned to several times during our stay because the food and coffee were so good, and the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming!

Milky's Café & Bar

Address: 482-1, Niseko, Abuta District, Hokkaido, Japan 048-1511

ICHISEKO CAFE AND BAR

Address: 423-9 Aza Niseko, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 048-1511

Looking back, our trip to Niseko was more than just a winter getaway; it was a series of delightful discoveries — from Pepper’s first snowfall to the welcoming local culture. All the local people we talked to were surprised we took Pepper from Tokyo to Hokkaido by Shinkansen! And of course, we made the same journey back home, another long trip. If you asked me if I'd do it again, my answer is still yes, in a heartbeat.

Thanks for reading about our snowy adventure! We've got lots more stories to share, so stay tuned. Till next time, keep having fun!

Cheers,

Patty