Snowstorm hits Sapporo, Hokkaido | Taking LILAC Express Train from Sapporo to Asahikawa

[@rachaelfrancis5496]

This takes me back 5 years when I was lucky enough to travel around Hokkaido in February 2017. Loads of snow then too, it was so beautiful. I loved my time in Japan.

[@tomburns7544]

Japan's trains look so comfortable! Thank you for another great video! 頑張ってくれてありがとう！

[@niconico486]

These videos remind me of travelling back home. They fill me with peace. Thank you for making them!

[@billhunnicutt3883]

A beautiful trip, so relaxing. Thank you for posting it Kuga-san!

[@shaneanagrams]

I'm jealous of the snow you are getting! Love the videos.

[@BirdBath1]

Shane, sunny 🌞 Jamaica🇯🇲 bird bath

[@billwilson6670]

Thank you. I rode trains in Japan back in the late 70s and early 80s. I enjoyed every minute of it. This brings back some fond memories.

[@thany3]

Asahikawa, one of my favourites of the medium-sized cities! They got a beautiful big park, and a few pretty shrines. Also the Asahiyama Zoo nearby I can wholeheartedly recommend.

[@ceembee564]

I love train travel, and your videos are my little escape. Thank you x

[@madhouze1]

I've done that trip several times. The most recent one was December 2019, after the first fall of snow for the winter. I didn't travel Green class as I was using a JR Rail pass. It was great to relive it watching your video. Thanks.

[@ABCantonese]

Mariya Takeuchi, good way to start a video.

[@vickyschnorbus4166]

Love the train, hate the snow. We had our "100 year snow storm" in February 2021. I, personally, can wait 100 years for another one.

[@yasukiwi]

This video was done in December but Sapporo just had a record snowfall huge blizzard last week. That was too much even for the Japanese to keep the trains going. Most were suspended for three days afterwards.

[@dponzie1]

Thanks!

[@kugastravel5180]

Wow, thanks dponzie1!🤝

[@pickledtours]

Great Video. Thanks for sharing 😀

[@BrendanTheTraveller]

I sat on this train to Asahikawa in December 2018 and this brings back so many memories!

[@BirdBath1]

Wuw

[@jshilohshea381]

Very pretty scenery....hope you stayed warm....and found a good Ramen place to eat ! Stay safe stay warm !

[@JBM425]

I was at the biannual Yama Sakura joint US-Japan military exercise in January 2005 at Camp Higashi-Chitose. We had plenty of snow while we were there. I had a great time and hope to return once travel restrictions are lifted! 🇯🇵🇺🇸

[@BirdBath1]

Sunny🌞 Jamaica, look at bird bath

[@Sephyrulz]

I never knew the more commonly used and shorter distance trains used 日本語, English, and 中国话 announcements! That’s so cool to learn. Never would have guessed.

[@sebastianmineo1313]

Yes, even local trains are bilingual. Many road signs are as well, which helped when I'd take a Sunday drive in the days before Google Maps.

[@jamesfrost7465]

Oh my gosh it looks soo cold out there. I've never been in that type of weather. I bet you're warm and cozy. Reclining in the comfortable seats with a big warm blanket.... so so nice. Thank you for the ride my friend.

[@daveydoo3173]

A sweet little train ride.. Beautiful scenery and the train is beautiful

[@divaslive6953]

I love the snowy scenery scene, it's so lovely and relaxing. 💛💜💜🤗☺

[@dskadd32]

Oh wow. I remember that trip. It's lovely. Thank you

[@urshurakdieohnekanal9291]

All that snow!!! You are so lucky!!! I live in Switzerland (in the capital) and we had snow for three days at the most, it's very vexing. I like travelling by train, we have some truly spectacular trails here, but our trains are nowhere as comfortable. Not bad, but ... they lack that little bit of extra your trains have.

[@bryanlorang417]

I'm loving these winter snow vids'. Thanks bro!

[@fw9127]

It reminds me about my last trip. Great video,many thanks Kuga-san.

[@spiritofjapan]

Great that you took this train, Kuga! One of my favourite train journeys in Japan! I like that you cut the long, long tunnels just before Asahikawa!

[@robgraham5697]

Hokkaido in winter reminds me of Norther Ontario in the same season. Gorgeous.

[@paulyiustravelogue]

Very well done. While I never rode the train from Sapporo to Asahikawa (I drove there), I did stay at the JR Inn at the Asahikawa station. Both the station and the hotel are newly built at the time (2017), and they are both so beautiful. I would love to revisit again when Japan is fully reopen.

[@powellmountainmike8853]

I love your videos, and watch them a lot, each new one, and going back at the old ones too. You have gotten better and better at making them. It is like going on a journey with a friend, the way you explain things. I also got a hint at your sense of humor in this one where you hinted at the Japanese accent and spelled "blizzard" with an R. It was subtle, but I found it very witty and understood the joke..

[@BirdBath1]

Powell

[@skyhappy]

Bird

[@BirdBath1]

@@skyhappy look at my bird bath

[@skyhappy]

@@BirdBath1 damn, that looks nice. Didn't expect a bird bath to be so soothing and interesting

[@BirdBath1]

@@skyhappy 😉👍,

[@FlexxenRandomPlaces]

The December snowfall in Hokkaido was strong, but the blizzard in February was unreal!!

[@crazymorganable]

I remember having a big bowl of Karaage in-front of Muji Store inside that Aeon Mall Asahikawa, the portion was super big! There are numerous restaurant inside the food-court with local delicacies as well. And with another 30 mins local-bus ride, you can see penguins at Asahakiwa Zoo.

[@RussianSevereWeatherVideos]

Thanks for sharing this lovely snowy video with us. I hope the ramen was tasty, what kind did you get?

[@Taisiya87]

Чудовi зимовi пейзажi за вiкном I Чудова подорож!

[@mariojsworld]

Nice views of the snowy landscape behind the train's window.

[@peters1127]

Very diverse scenery on this trip,

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

電車の旅はええなあ。窓の外が雪やったら尚更。

[@katherinespencer2633]

You’ve captured some beautiful scenery!

[@pamelapattison4581]

thank you for sharing you can keep the snow , love the video

[@michaelhughes3273]

Lots of snow, perfect for the Snow Festival.

[@AmbientWalking]

Amazing way of experiencing the world and the different sites. Thanks! Super love your channel!

[@digitalmoviedv]

Hi! Fantastic train. Great trip report. New subscriber. Greetings from Italy. Stefano.

[@kod-ee-wom-pl]

Hello! 😃 Very heavy snow storm in Hokkaido ❄️❄️❄️ Thank you for the video. I enjoyed watching the trip. Stay warm and well. Have a wonderful day ☺️

[@louieuow]

I miss long distance train travel in Japan with the JR rail pass. Please open up soon to tourists!

[@chrisjordan-webster7858]

You make great film's

[@ari_9354]

Sapporo or hokkaido in general are in my wishlist to travel and explore, sadly the pandemic hit and i have to onhold all travel since 2020 hoping when the pandemic is over i can finally visit and experience it myself

[@annwilliams6438]

The countryside scenery is lovely (especially when seen from a nice warm train). 😏

[@ДМИТРИЙЖУКОВ-м6з]

Снежный Саппоро - прекрасен!

[@VerhoevenSimon]

What a lovely scenery, and it seems there's a lot more snow this year?

[@BirdBath1]

Simon

[@yakacm]

My god you've posting these snow videos for months now, it's not fair I want some snow 😖

[@TuckerSP2011]

Your country sure got a lot of snow this year! Brrr it looks 🥶❄️

[@BirdBath1]

Warm here, Jamaica 🇯🇲 bird bath

[@TheBaldr]

Now this is the Sapporo I remember. Lots of snow, to bad it not during the festival.

[@OmniaInNumerisSitaSunt]

Lovely! 💖👍🏼🤗

[@happyundertaker6255]

Nice, i am fascinated by the driver’s cab seeming to be above the door in the front of the train.

[@e.c.listening326]

It doesn’t seem to be… it is

[@CrankyAuntyLinda]

Wonderful! Another snowy by!😁❤️

[@BirdBath1]

Linda

[@yasukiwi]

Yeah I saw last week Sapporo had record levels of snowfall and that it was even too much for JR Hokkaido, used to snow, to keep the trains going. I saw most of the trains to and from Sapporo. and local services, suspended for three days!

[@amesavis]

very nice so quiet

[@UmaiSeries]

Sugoi yuki desu ne! Must be freezing cold 🥶

[@dzakydanendra4304]

0:00 - 0:13 plastic love HAHAHAHA, jealous of all the snow in hokkaido, here in my homecountry we barely even have snow aside of the peak of our highest mountains

[@Xxxypher]

For the amount of snow present 14 minutes late is pretty decent in comparison to where I live in Scotland. If that amount of snow fell where I am then people are working from home, the schools are closed and any public transport is not running, especially the trains; they would stop running even with a light dusting of snow.

[@far_]

Much Love to you

[@jamescc2010]

Conductor windshield looks to be very small and foggy. Not sure how he can see outside clearly. Nice train. For snowy weather like this, trains are great.

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip.

[@__hjg__2123]

one place i hope to go some day.

[@almuzaz8582]

Have you ever tried the E751? I’ve been meaning to see what it’s like. Hopefully one day you can make a video about it!

[@Trek001]

5:53 reminds me of a trip I took over Christmas on the Manchester - Buxton line where it almost had the trained snowed in and unable to return

[@yakacm]

Was that this Christmas? I wasn't aware of there heavy snow in the UK this winter, we live in Glasgow and we've nothing, save for a wee bit once or twice, still time yet I guess.

[@goksi5883]

I miss ❄️ snow ,I miss winter ❄️😭

[@sniper.mks-55]

Which app do you use for knowing "Speed" when you are riding the Shinkansen?

[@gadogadochanel1994]

Keren, aku jadi ingin kesana 😀

[@cubytischer]

Kuga love train 😊😊👍

[@Rassenomatjutut]

In Finland, trains are cancelled when it's blizzard. I admire and wonder how you Japanese people can make them work and go on every weather. ❄

[@alexclement7221]

"It's brizzard out there"? You should put that on a t-shirt!

[@pilotgrrl1]

People where I live freak out if half a centimeter of snow falls. I can only imagine what would happen if they saw a full on blizzard!

[@alanschwartz1157]

Yes! Let us go find some excellent ramen.

[@gerrypower9433]

Your snow videos are a treat to watch, thank you. I have two questions: there seem to be few other passengers on the trains. Is this because of the weather, the time of day, Covid 19, or are these just unpopular routes? As a Westerner, I do not understand the "jingles" played before announcements. The jingles seem very childish; do adults in Japan really like these, or is there some practical purpose that I'm missing?

[@yasukiwi]

They're very popular all over Japan. Personally I agree with you. Not my favourite part of Japanese railways.

[@AguadillaCGN]

14 minutes late, that's like 3 hours late in Germany :)

[@eric1800es]

Was I hearing Plastic Love in the distance? :)

[@SanJoseCAJeff]

makes me think of an old yujiro song 恋の町札幌

[@HappyComfort]

I love that name!!!! 🥳Lilacs are my favorite flowers! 😁👍🌷But it is extremely hard to get real lilac perfume that isn’t mixed with anything else . 😕🤷🏼‍♀️ I love how snow makes the towns sound so soft and quiet. 😊💖

[@BirdBath1]

Do you love birds, look at bird bath

[@wzwzwz]

Would appreciate if you show a Google Map of the route

[@takawaka3282]

from Sapporo(札幌)to asahikawa (旭川)

[@jamesk370]

I've been enjoying your 'snow series' of videos? Were all of these day trips or did you stay overnight? If you stayed overnight I think videos of your accommodations would be appreciated by all of your fans ☺👍

[@thevideoclips1228]

at 0:10 the song name is plastic love isn't it ?

[@golfboyyk]

Sapporo really hammered by heavy snow this year?

[@trainluvr]

That's what the man said.

[@yasukiwi]

Last week had a huge blizzard which knocked out all the train services for 3 days.

[@golfboyyk]

Thanks to all reply!

[@ABCantonese]

Maybe because you are in Green Class, but this ride sounds a lot better than your ride on Hokuto. The Hokuto was loud. Cannot tell why, but this train definitely feels very different from Shinkansen. Does not look as relaxing.

[@JustMe-qk1mt]

It’s just snowing , it’s not a snowstorm

[@Paul_MuadDib]

I saw no smokey roofs. How heating the humens at the countryside?

[@thany3]

They might be using kerosine heaters. They don't produce any smoke. Electric heating is also possible.

[@yasukiwi]

@@thany3 Yeah staying warm under the kotatsu LOL!

[@ha773zsi3]

@@yasukiwi 北海道のこたつ使用率は日本一少ないらしんだけど？こたつでは寒すぎやろ？

[@thany3]

@@yasukiwi Omg yes, of course. Those things are awesome! I once had the pleasure of getting one in my ryokan during a winter holiday 🤗

[@yasukiwi]

@@thany3 haha I had one in my apartment. Kept me cosy 😄

[@sebastianmineo1313]

😅 How stereotypical . At about 2:36 "It's brizzard..." I taught a few of my younger Japanese colleagues how to say the L & R sounds as well as V & B. It all started with a Popeye magazine, it's a college age magazine in Japan. One scenario was election v.s. erection. Whenever I took the Green class, I would always slip out of my shoes. I'm surprised there wasn't a food cart. Green class usually does.

[@mihkel9999]

Did anyone else think that. Someone had thrown paint at rear end of the train, when you first saw the thumbnail. Or was it just me? 😅

[@ald.3500]

Pleasing

[@ck-bs2ms]

whow!!!

[@v.kitten1831]

12:00 and 11:00 and 10:00

[@v.kitten1831]

Luckly i don,t remember this japan train for that so that is a cool train I don,t remember every country every morning and night or 6:99 for that everyone

[@j123-x2r]

Is the Shinkansen ever gonna get to Sapporo? I mean it's the largest city and the capital in Hokkaido I think... They should've just decided to build a bit more when building the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Hakodate.

[@yasukiwi]

Supposed to open in 2030.

[@Sparky-ov1ot]

The end of civilisation as we know it! a late train in Japan.

[@v.kitten1831]

And 3:00

[@xfloodcasual8124]

We need Kuga in HDR

[@kamikazitsunami]

*Blizzard

[@hkwo829]

Blizzard, not Brizzard

[@e.c.listening326]

Buzzard

[@v.kitten1831]

1:00

[@v.kitten1831]

37:00

[@KH-qe5zf]

No vending machine on this train?

[@yasukiwi]

I don't think so, so as with many trains in Japan important to load up with food and drink from a kiosk or ekiben place in the station or nearby convenience store first.

[@e.c.listening326]

Vending machines were sold out that day

[@Dr.M.VincentCurley]

あなたは自動販売機を訪問しません！夕日を眺めながらデッキに出かけることはありません