4:30 AM – Early Morning Wake-Up and Departure to Fukagawa
This weekend, my younger son had a soft tennis tournament in Fukagawa. With an 8:00 AM meeting time, we had to wake up at 4:30 AM and leave home by 6:00 AM. My husband, my son, and I set off together, while my older son stayed home.
Waking up this early is always tough, especially in the cold Hokkaido winter. The warmth of the blanket makes it even harder to leave bed!
Since there was no time to prepare a homemade bento, we picked up some convenience store bread and ate in the car on the way. Usually, I try to pack a homemade lunch, but sometimes, convenience wins.
6:00 AM – Driving Through a Snowstorm on the Highway
My husband took the wheel while I sat in the passenger seat, chatting with our son.
However, the weather was harsh—a full-blown snowstorm.
Traveling in Hokkaido’s winter means dealing with unpredictable road conditions. The highway was covered in snow, and visibility was poor, making driving quite challenging.
There were moments when the snowfall became so intense that it was almost like a whiteout. But after a 1.5-hour drive, we finally made it to Fukagawa safely.
Where is Fukagawa? Understanding Hokkaido’s Vast Distances
For those unfamiliar with Hokkaido’s geography, Fukagawa is located about 110 km northeast of Sapporo. It takes approximately 1.5 hours by car under normal conditions, but winter weather can significantly affect travel time.
Many people outside Japan may not realize just how vast Hokkaido is. Unlike major cities where everything is close by, traveling between towns often requires long drives.
Hokkaido’s size:
- Total area: 83,450 km² (larger than Austria!)
- Driving from Sapporo to Fukagawa: ~110 km (~1.5 hours)
This vast landscape means that school sports competitions often require long-distance travel, sometimes even overnight stays.
9:00 AM – The Tournament Begins!
The tournament started at 9:00 AM, and as always, watching my son play made me nervous and excited.
No matter how many times I’ve watched his matches, I still feel my heart race every time. As a parent, it’s hard to stay calm while watching your child compete.
His team played well, finishing the day with two wins and one loss. This secured his place in tomorrow’s league matches! Well done!
5:00 PM – Tournament Ends, Son Stays Overnight with Teammates
By 5:00 PM, the matches wrapped up for the day. Since my son’s team advanced to the next round, he stayed overnight with his teammates, while my husband and I headed back home.
7:00 PM – Back Home for Dinner with My Older Son
We arrived home around 7:00 PM, tired from the long day. My older son greeted us, and we quickly prepared a meal using leftovers from the fridge.
With an early morning ahead, I needed to rest. Tomorrow, we head back to Fukagawa again! That means another 5:00 AM wake-up call.
Winter sports in Hokkaido require endurance, not just for the athletes but for the parents too!
Good night!
