Sapporo Yuki-matsuri

Amid the tumult of events that are still playing out regarding Japan's recent earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster (boy, that's the trifecta from hell if there ever was one!), I've managed to arrange some positive memories of a trip friends and I took to Hokkaido last month to see the Sapporo Snow Festival. It was really quite a sight to see so much ice sculpted into amazing works of art, and I was equally impressed at how long the sculptures where built to last (something like 3 or 4 weeks)! Upon coming to Japan, I was told that seeing the famous yuki-matsuri in Hokkaido was one of the most-dos during my stay. I can safely second that notion, now that I've crossed that off my list.

Here we (Tom, Vanessa, and I) listen to Rianna (off-camera) as we start off on the train from Aomori City to Hakodate, then Sapporo (4-5 hours total). Or? Here we are being threatened by pen-wielding Rianna while I do my best Dave Grohl impression.

A winter scene in Sapporo, leading to the festival grounds.

"No me molestes!"

Wildest. Karaoke. Banner. Ever!

When we got to the festival, we heard rock music playing and "Ooh"s and "Aah"s emitting from the crowd. Here's why:

"God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaur … ice sculptures."

(Wanna see 'em move? Okay, maybe not. But the camera does!)

RAAAWWR!

Dimetrodon! (Yup. I'm a big dinosaur geek :p)

And further down along the evolutionary chain.

Right around lunch time we caught an interesting Disney-inspired performance:

Chow time!

After lunch, Tom eagerly volunteered for a taste test. Hope you like shishamo, Tom!

My favorite scene. A Chinese temple stretches into the background, full of depth and detail. Looks like you could really go there.

Closer up, showing the detail of the steps and owl's wing.

Wolves with the Great Wall running up the hill behind them.

So intricate…

A massive scene populated with cartoon-style characters.

Reminds me of the Transamerica Pyramid in SF.

Merfolk!

Dragons!

Vader!

Mother and child! (Shh! Not so loud. He's crying, I think…?)

The observation and radio tower overlooking the festival grounds.

How pleasant!

The whole gang relaxes in a great little American-style pub we ran into. (left to right) Boku, Rianna, Vanessa, Valerie, James, and Tom (while Courtney, always too shy for a picture, takes the shot. Way to go Court!).

And—the flowers are still standing!

And so am I.

There are no words or pictures I can post to fully express the awful reality of what's happened here in Japan. (The international news media has done that well enough.) Being so close to the worst of it—the difference between being where I am and where so many are suffering a mere matter of miles—I can't help but feel a sense of survivor's guilt. All I can do is keep on doing what I do the best that I can, making myself available when the time comes to rebuild, getting the word out and keeping those I care about informed, and clinging to my sense of humor, if nothing else, to stay sane. And so I shall.

Food, fuel, and supplies are in increasing demand now, and while getting those things to Japan may be difficult, one can always donate, even if it's just a little. Anything helps. Here are some options to consider:

1) Global Giving

2) Habitat for Humanity

3) Red Cross of Japan

4) Crash Japan

5) Direct Relief

Of course, prayers and thoughts are always welcome, and don't cost a thing! Keep 'em comin'!

Because it's all right…

And we'll fix you!

Set to defrost and wait

According to the Japanese calendar, we're a month into Spring already. You'd be hard pressed to convince these folks of anything-other-than a couple weeks ago, when a troupe of local performers and school children came to our office to usher in the thaw and a change to the seasons. (Of course it's snowing now, so I blame Punxsutawney Phil—it's in his name after all!)

And here's the tiered hina doll set that was put up in Oirase Library, commemorating hina matsuri (March 3), a national day of celebration in honor of girls.