This Japanese four-character idiom (#yojijukugo) describes the cultural concept of treasuring meetings with people. The term is often translated as “for this time only,” “never again,” or “one chance in a lifetime.”

It reminds us to cherish any gathering that we have the opportunity to take part in since meetings in life are not repeated. The Japanese believe that even when the same group of people can get together again, a particular gathering will never be replicated, and thus, each moment is always once-in-a-lifetime. 

For the 2019  New Year, I got to celebrate New Year’s Eve with my cousins in Niseko, Japan for pure #japow bliss! It was the ultimate experience snowboarding in one of the greatest ski resorts in the world, Grand Hirafu. The powder here is unlike anything I’ve ever skied compared to the Sierra Nevada, Pyrenees or French Alps!

Why is Japan the most ultimate place to ski? Here are my 5 reasons:

1. #Jawpow — Have you heard of this? #Japow aka Japan’s Powder Paradise! Visit Niseko for ten days in January and you will ski nearly five feet of fresh snow—more than most resorts receive in a month. Because there is so much oxygen in the snow compared to other parts of the world, the powder is extremely soft and you literally feel like you are flying when you ride down!
2. Heated toilet seats — actually my butt never sat on a cold toilet seat throughout my whole trip in Japan! But wow, pre-heated toilet seats when you’re coming off a freezing cold run is the most luxurious bathroom experience ever! Thank you Toto! LOL.
3. Warm Ramen — Snowboarding Mammoth and Lake Tahoe growing up, I’ve never experienced having a delicious warm bowl of ramen during lunch break! Mind blown. Hands down one of the best bowls of Shoyu Ramen I’ve ever had. It’s just what the doctor ordered when you’re coming down that mountain. It’s the basic things in life that make it so wonderful!
4. Hooded Chair Lifts — what a luxury!!! No more wind or snow blowing in your face when you ride up the mountain! These “non-smoking” chair lifts keep you nice n’ toasty as you climb up the mountain.

Snowboarding in Niseko was seriously a once-in-a-lifetime experience with all my cousins this holiday. The final reason why Niseko is my new favorite place to snowboard now is because of my awesome cousins! I love you all so much! Thanks for making my Japan trip so wonderful this year!!! Can’t wait till next year! Ichi-go ichi-e 😉

Lots of love,
Dot

P.S. Check out all my Highlights on Instagram to see everything I ate in Japan! Hehe #EatWithDot