Me and my friend didn’t booked a hotel for our stay in Niseko. Actually we wanted to try something a bit different , we wanted an experience rather than just a bed and we found the best homestay with the loveliest people. We met Yuzo and his family with Airbnb and we stayed 4 nights (and extended for one more). It was super interesting and fun to live with a Japanese family. We really took part in their life and this generated a lot of happiness !
Happy birthday , yeah i’m turning 26 ! It was nice to experience this birthday with a Japanese family. Like another home.
Yuzo woodcarving skills. Actually he made sculptures with … Chainsaw !
Gyozas making for dinner. We cooked all together for that night. I made vegetarian ramen and they made the Gyozas. We finished the night with some Piano, so cosy and homy ! All that freezing cold weather outside and that human warmth inside the house created beautiful and enjoyable contrast.
“Daruma” , the statue that is supposed to never fall. It is used as a ritualistic object to help one’s to realize his wishes. Basically you paint the first eye while you make your wish. When your wish come true just paint the other eye. So here we have a realized wish 🙂 Happy days.
Most of the food we ate for breakfast came from the garden. We were surprised to hear that they grew Cabbage … in winter !
Look at the baby ! They wrap it with a natural bed , all in the snow.
Our delicious breakfast cooked by the lovely Aumi San. The cabbage is also here.
Having a car also helped us a lot. Actually without it impossible to enjoy that Airbnb experience.
German architecture at Niseko station.
Living in the snow for a couple of days. The snow is such a magic phenomenon. It’s poetic and so light. We are feeling like kids here.
Yuzo built his house 10 years ago in a magical spot. He actually built it nearby an isolated shrine. A place where Shintoist go to pray the “local divinity” or gods of Nature. For New year eve people will gather with their family and for the first sunrise of the year they will pray. Most Japanese will follow these traditions and rituals.
The Shrine next to our house.
This morning is quite a special experience for us because we will decorate the shrine for the new year eve ! In fact because Yuzo house is located so close from the Shrine , he has to take care of it , like a keeper.
Bringing the decoration up.
Gorgeous sceneries.
A bit of cleaning of course.
The black bottle is Japanese Sake. Yes yes , the gods loves it ! It’s basically an offering.
Little class to understand how to greet the local divinity. Super interesting. It’s about being humble here , to adopt an attitude of gratitude and respect toward Nature.
Nice time !
Sharing so many moments with the family was a highlight for us. This trip to Niseko wasn’t just about powdered snow and hot springs. It was also an opportunity to share meaningful and informative time with a Japanese family.
Arigatou gosaimasu Yuzo , Aumi and Teppei , we had the most amazing time with you.
More episode in Hokkaido to come , see you then friends 🙂
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