It was the annual trip the pediatrics group at our hospital planned for. Destination – Sapporo.

Unfortunately, because of work, I couldn’t book it early and make plans together with my pediatrics family unless my boss said yes to my leave of absence.

It’s been awhile since I joined them in social events and missed being part of everything we did together.

And so, when I did get the chance to join them, I quickly booked flights to Japan.

This was my first time traveling solo in a long time, and while I was anxious of being alone, my partner was right – it would provide me the time to reflect on the joys of solo flights and life in the single lane.

ANA

Traveling in comfort has always been my passion. Of course, the generous perks of a great airline is mandatory in the choice.

I’ve always loved ANA. While JAL comes a close second, the Star Alliance frequent traveler program takes over when it comes to accumulating mileage points. Incidentally, ANA code shares with PAL.

Why not fly PAL? It actually has the best flight schedule going into Haneda and flying back to Manila. Simple. The business class of PAL is more expensive than the Japanese airlines by more than $500 and its seats are not lie flat as it uses an Airbus 321 for its Japan destinations. The food on PAL is also of poorer quality and amenities are not worth the buck. In short, there is no bang for the buck.

For the domestic route, ANA offers Premium Class, which allows extra legroom, lounge access (no food here, just drinks and plenty of liquor), and a bento box for in-flight dining.

SAPPORO

On the most northern part, and the coldest part, of Japan, is Hokkaido. Touch down at the New Chitose Airport was smooth at 735pm. It’s actually a 51 km distance (approximately an hour) from the airport to Sapporo City.

And it snowed upon my arrival. I didn’t know if it was a welcome to my solo trip or that it just wanted to impress me with whatever this city would offer.

My group stayed at the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo. Unfortunately, when I tried to book already, there were limited rooms. I decided that since this would be a solitary affair, why not just do the full solace?

HOTEL SOSEI M GALLERY

This Accor owned hotel is about a 5 mins walk from the group venue. It’s a boutique hotel and while the food choices in this hotel are limited to breakfast and a bar, the Sapporo Factory Mall right in front of it makes up for the lack in room service at this hotel.

Breakfast was excellent as you had choices of Japanese or Continental buffet. And don’t scrimp. Get the full executive floor and you have not only breakfast added but also tea time from 3-5pm and happy hour (unlimited drinks) from 5-7pm.

Sapporo City has limited shopping choices but near the JR East is the Daimaru shopping plaza as well as the Stellar Place. If you’re all bundled up, you can try to walk the streets and go into Odori where there’s more shopping to do. But the fun in Sapporo are the natural resources. From lakes to waterfalls to the zoo, to onsen baths and yes, you shouldn’t miss the temples and the Mitsui outlet.

TOKYO, Ginza

I will never be in Japan without a trip to Tokyo.

With that said, after 3 nights in Sapporo, I traveled to Tokyo taking an ANA flight from CTS into HND.

With the many prefectures around Tokyo, my favorite will always be the Ginza area. Not only for its shopping pleasure but it’s more eclectic ambience. While hotels within the area are more expensive, choosing the right hotel for a solo trip where you’re far from the madding crowd yet near to the hub of retail therapy is mandatory.

The Peninsula Tokyo

Wow!

That’s all I can say. And thank you for the upgrade to a Premier Room because the view from my floor to ceiling windows was fantastic.

The smallest room in this beautiful and ultra modern hotel is 54 sqm. That’s the size of a high end one bedroom condominium in Manila!

It has a couch area, own dressing room, bathtub and the rain shower is fantastic. Would you believe that all its amenities are so well stocked that you wouldn’t even have to bring a single toiletry (or even leave this place!).

Check in and check out was seamless. What I love about this place is the valet service which has its own box in your room! And as I explored the hotel, there was more to love. The bakery at the basement, breakfast in bed, the turn down (yes, the room was so well maintained that when I returned to my room it was like it was so tidied up with even my books arranged and little Japanese bookmarks lying next to it), the afternoon tea at the lobby, and most of all, the hotel staff.

I had all my dinner at the Hei Fung Terrace, their Cantonese restaurant on the second floor. Not only was the food a gustatory delight but one of their staff named Yura-San who did some training in Manila Peninsula spoke some Tagalog. Each dinner Yura-San engaged me in wonderful conversations about food and culture. And that was enough to make one survive lonely dinners.

Taking this solo trip was an awakening. It’s also a good way to recharge, rewind and celebrate myself.

Sometimes you just need an adventure to cleanse the bitter taste of life from your soul.