Exploring Hokkaido

Son, Dad went to Hokkaido for 3 days and it was pretty cool.


Reflection: Ok, I won't lie, I did not have a clue what there was to do in Hokkaido. The sole reason I wanted to go was for the milk products lol (I'm an ice cream connoisseur if it hasn't already been made clear). Early June is considered Hokkaido's break from their very eventful, heavily season-dependent year. With their infamous winter season weather and sport culture. And a gorgeous, vibrant spring season, June is like the gap between time for the people and land to recuperate. That being said, Hokkaido was still beautiful. The greenery throughout Sapporo was still simply amazing, and the essence of the city and culture still emanated. My favorite view in Hokkaido was the Blue Pond—gazing into its still waters, with snow-capped peaks rising in the near distance and lush greenery unfolding all around, I couldn't help but fall in love. Obviously it was super crowded, but In my head, it was just me and the environment as one, and it was an incredibly tranquil feeling. The other half of this trip was spent being young. Our hotel was terribly close to Susukino, the most prominent red-light district not only in Sapporo but in all of Hokkaido. So I spent my nights and early-early mornings roaming the streets. The vibes were cool, and the few interactions I had gave me a good laugh. I can't say I fully experienced Hokkaido with this trip, so for that reason I will definitely be back.


Traveling is undeniably a blessing, and I’m super grateful for the opportunities I’ve had—past, present, and hopefully future. Lately, traveling has sparked a wave of self-reflection, prompting a chain of thoughts like “Who am I?” and “What was I made for?” Really, I don’t say it enough, but I am genuinely thankful for the situation I've been given. Still, I get the feeling that I’m meant for something more. At 20 years old, I feel more lost than I ever have before. Feeling like I have all the time in the world while feeling like I literally have no time. It's a strange and conflicting feeling oh-so similar to the everyday battles I face as a painfully indecisive person. As I embark on more quests, I hope I am able to actualize the idea of "Abel Akiu." While I don't inherently care about my so-called "legacy," I do want the memories surrounding my name to be associated with 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵