Growing up in Medan, Indonesia, the concept of snow always felt like a beautiful fiction. Our tropical climate never dips far enough to allow for frost, let alone a full blanket of snow. So, when I decided to take a solo trip from Tokyo to Hokkaido in the dead of winter, I knew I was signing up for something completely outside my comfort zone — because Hokkaido isn’t just cold; it’s freezing! But that was exactly what I wanted.
Science Tokyo Student Life: Mastering the Calendar
As an international student at the Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), my life is a blend of lab research and cultural immersion. One of the first things you learn here is that managing your time is just as important as your experiments. Unlike most other universities, Science Tokyo operates on a Quarter System.
Science Tokyo Academic Calendar:
https://www.titech.ac.jp/english/student/students/life/schedules
We are always checking the above academic calendar because our schedule is unique. For example, although there are many national holidays in Japan, a national holiday doesn’t always mean a day off at Science Tokyo! Sometimes we have “Monday classes” on a Thursday to make up for lost time.
However, the quarter system also works in our favor. After the intensity of the third quarter exams in early December, and before the fourth quarter hits its peak in January, there is a strategic window for exploration. While the official Winter Break (Dec 27 – Jan 3) is short, the way our quarters are structured allowed me to find the perfect time for a solo journey to the north.
The Journey North
Between research in the lab and student association activities, I’ve grown accustomed to the rhythm of metropolitan Japan. But I longed to see a different side of the country: the wild, white, and wide landscapes I had only glimpsed in photographs and books.
I boarded the plane to New Chitose Airport with a suitcase full of newly bought winter gear, two boxes of kairo heat packs, and a heart ready for new experiences. Stepping out of the airport, the first shock hit me: it was snowing. Real, feather-like snowflakes danced in the air, landing softly on my jacket. For someone born in a city where rain is our only form of precipitation, this was surreal.
Hokkaido: A World Apart
In contrast to Tokyo’s rush and lights, Hokkaido moves slower and breathes deeper. I visited Sapporo first, where I spent hours walking alone through the city, sipping hot milk tea from vending machines and watching my breath form clouds in the freezing air. I saw children playing in the snow as naturally as I once splashed in monsoon puddles. Of course, I did not miss the chance to play with the snow — who could judge me? I was alone!
Lessons from the Cold
Traveling solo as a woman, especially internationally, might raise questions in some parts of the world. But in Japan, I’ve found solo travel to be refreshingly safe and empowering. Winter travel, however, is far from easy. There were moments of cold-induced panic, such as when I realized I couldn’t feel my fingers in Otaru, and also moments of quiet pride, such as when I navigated an icy road without slipping. I learned how to layer clothes, read snow-covered maps, and ask for help in Japanese when my phone died in subzero temperatures. I also unfortunately caught a terrible cold on the day I arrived. Besides being alone in a freezing and unfamiliar environment, having to then navigate my way out of the airport, find a drugstore, and explain my symptoms in Japanese to the local staff was certainly a new adventure.
More importantly, though, I learned resilience in new conditions; a challenge that every international student has to face eventually. Whether it’s adjusting to a new academic culture or making a home in a foreign land, the lessons are the same: stay curious, stay kind to yourself, and keep moving forward.
Hokkaido food is so good!
Reflections in the Snow
Returning to Tokyo, I brought back more than souvenirs. I now carry a new sense of wonder and independence. I may still be more comfortable in sandals than snow boots, but winter no longer feels foreign.
To My Fellow Students
If you’re studying at Science Tokyo, take a break from your research and explore. Solo travel teaches you not just about the world, but also about who you are in it. Be sure to double-check your academic calendar before booking your tickets so that you don’t miss any quarter-end duties. Finally, if you’re like me and come from a place without snow, let me tell you: the first snowfall is truly magical.
