Miku's Great Big Holiday (pic heavy) (Update: April 7th)

It's taken me a long time to get off my butt and start uploading these, but if you follow my instagram/twitter you might already know that I recently took Miku up to Hokkaido with me, and then down to Kyoto. (She came to Osaka too, but I didn't get any pics of her there).

This was exciting for me because a) I have always wanted to take doll pics in the snow, and there is not a great deal of opportunity for that in either Fu kuoka or Australia. b)I have always wanted to see the Snow Miku stuff with a Miku and c)I could bring my new DSLR!

I'm still not quite used to using the DSLR, and I also didn't edit the pics at all, but I hope you like them, because I had a lot of fun taking them.

 

Since there are so many, I'll update this thread slowly, but I'll also include some of the pics I cant be bothered putting on twitter/tumblr.

First of all is Nakajima Park in Sapporo!

DSC_0011 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

This park is absolutely gorgeous in all seasons, but in the middle of winter its a snowy wonderland. That huge white space behind Miku there is actually a lake frozen over and covered in snow. If you look it up on google images you can see how it looks in other seasons - it's actually very pretty in winter before the lake freezes as well.

DSC_0018 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

I was able to get Miku these new fist hands on yahoo auctions and they luckily arrived the day before I left for Sapporo.

DSC_0021 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

I can't tell you how happy I am to see her in the Snow when she's all SnowMikufied. She looks so magical!

DSC_0024 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

These next shots are my favourite ones.

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aaah I love snow so much ;-; I've been so jealous of you guys and your snow pics!

We also found some icicles on the tree.

DSC_0048 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

 

fun fact: me and my friends were joking that Miku was some kind of snow-canceler, because the snow would keep falling down around us but every time I took her out for a photo it would stop. This was both good and bad though because I actually really wanted a photo with the snow swirling around her and her hands out to catch it. It was actually very lightly falling in the photos where she does look like she's doing that, but you can't see it.

 

More to come!

Edited April 7, 2018 by Guest

Ahhh, she looks so good out there in the snow! Your camera sure captured some great shots. I don't edit any of my photos either so it makes me happy that these weren't manipulated! I like that your photos aren't edited, I always feel you get a better sense of being there if they're left as you took them.

 

I'm glad you got to go up there and have her along too. I follow you on Insta and Twitter so I know there's lots more cool photos coming..... I can't wait to see them here!

 

 

 

Billy

These are beautiful! I’m so glad you got to take her out into the snow. It makes for some good memories and amazing photos.

 

I don’t have twitter or Instagram but I do creep your Flickr and tumblr ;d

Fancy that, a Snow Miku in a snow filled setting!

Excellent photos!

Love that Snow Miku outfit; hope I get it someday.

You have some really lovely shots here! Miku really seems to be enjoying the snow.

Ah, how beautiful!

 

In some of the angled shots, it looks like she's dancing. I really like the diffuse lighting with the slight degree of backlighting illuminating her against the dark trees. The pale quality of the light on her ice-blue hair seems to have a frost-like effect.

 

Miku has really come a long way from nearly being thrown out before you gave her a home. I'm glad you got to give her a second chance!

Thank you for all the comments! Here is batch 2.

 

If you know much about regional souvenir sweets in Japan (business trips are common, and its customary to buy a box of something for the office to share), you might know that the most famous Hokkaido souvenir is Shiroi Koibito, a type of biscuit with white chocolate inside. They're extremely good, if a little cliche, but I have always gotten some when I am there (although they are so popular its not rare to find them outside Hokkaido as well...). Anyway, our next stop was Shiroi Koibito Park, a museum/cafe/factory that looks as though Willy Wonka may be lurking inside. It also looks magical in the snow.

DSC_0072 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

I didn't take pics inside, but if you do go to Sapporo I recommend a visit. You can book a class to make your own Shiroi Koibito using the same dough they use - this class was booked out when we went but we did manage to get another one where you can decorate a ready-made one with chocolate pens. (it's really big too) But the outside of the factory is really interesting too.

DSC_0075 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

As you can see there's a strange miniature town, although still a little big for Miku.

DSC_0062 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

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Fun fact; there was a massive (possibly multiple massive) Chinese tour group here, and they delighted to see Miku. Some of them even requested photos with her. She's a real celebrity.

DSC_0066 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

My friend had bought little Dearmine Benjamin along, and this picture makes Miku look like some giant space goddess.

DSC_0087 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

DSC_0090 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

'I live here now'

DSC_0091 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

There's a lovely view of the mountain out near the front gate.

DSC_0097 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

DSC_0101 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

 

I swear I'm not a mole from the Sapporo tourism department or anything but SAPPORO IS REALLY GREAT YOU GUYS there's a reason I have been three winters in a row now 8')

 

The next day we went to Odori Park now that the SnowFest proper had started, and I was able to get the photo I mainly brought Miku here for.

DSC_0127 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

There she is, the Crane Priestess Snow Miku!

DSC_0130 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

DSC_0134 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

DSC_0135 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

I debated getting in the gigantic line to get some of the exclusive Snow Miku merch, but to be honest nothing really grabbed my fancy this year and I was mainly just happy to have the photos. So I took a photo of the booth. Not pictured: the extremely long line snaking back into the distance.

DSC_0136 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

More to come!

Edited March 5, 2018 by Guest

WOW!! Your photos are so cool! I really enjoyed them. SnowMiku in the snow is beautiful

It's like Miku got to visit her own shrine.

yaaay, another delightful Miku adventure!

Shiroi Koibito! I've long wanted to try them.

 

The miniature town is a great "set" for Miku, and I especially like the first house with the diamond pane windows--if you just look at the windows, they're actually scale for her!

 

It's really sweet that the Chinese tour group were so taken with Miku. I'm always glad to hear of people having positive reactions to Dollfies out and about.

 

I love the posing in the first Miku and literal-snow-Miku shot. The soft diffuse light is perfect in these photos, too. (when I was in high school, whenever we had "snow skies" like the one in these shots, I was always especially annoyed about having to go to school because I wanted to go out and take photos instead of wasting the beautiful light).

For the next destination Miku had a change of clothes, I wanted her to look more like a tourist dressed for winter now (plus the twintail wig was fast becoming a giant pain in the rear, so I'm really glad I thought to include a change of clothes and wig).

I didn't bring her regular eyes though, but the Twinkle Snow eyes with her regular wig is an interesting contrast.

 

Anyway, today Miku went to hell.

DSC_0244 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

This is Jigokudani, literally Hell Valley, in Noboribetsu! Noboribetsu is a hot springs town a day-trip away from Sapporo. I went here in the summer many years ago, but it's amazing in winter too.

DSC_0246 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

All that steam is from the natural, extremely hot spring water coming up from the valley there. Because of all the sulfur, the entire place smelled like farts, but it sure was impressive.

DSC_0256 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

Despite the heat of the springs, there's still a lot of snow around the place, but it melts instantly around the 'hot spots'.

DSC_0258 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

Miku, don't get too curious. Can't you read that sign?

DSC_0263 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

The Japanese is even more foreceful, 'Warning: EXTREMELY dangerous, absolutely do not enter'

They had those signs all along the path, because you just know some bozo would want to test the water and boil themself.

DSC_0267 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

I love how the leaves look against the snow.

 

Anyway, my friends wanted to check out the hot springs that Noboribetsu is famous for, so while they were busy with that I had the chance to take a bunch more pics of Miku around the town.

As I mentioned before, Noboribetsu contains the entrance to Hell, so there's a strong Oni motif wherever you go. (You actually see a gigantic statue of one entering the hot springs town)

DSC_0275 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

'Looks like a bunch of them left all their clubs behind.'

DSC_0279 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

DSC_0280 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

I like these ones...

DSC_0282 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

Miku went wandering off.

DSC_0286 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

'Just checking out the teeny tiny shrine.'

DSC_0287 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

I really do love the Mikuzukin wig...

DSC_0288 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

Saying hello to this guy...

DSC_0296 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

'I made a new friend! He's really strong!'

DSC_0297 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

'I think he might be a little cold, though...'

DSC_0298 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

DSC_0300 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

The blue oni is here too, of course.

 

Next are just some pics of Noboribetsu's beautiful snow scenery. Some people say its a really ugly town because of all the pipes/etc for the hot springs, I think it looks absolutely magical covered in snow.

DSC_0307 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

DSC_0308 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

DSC_0311 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

DSC_0314 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

 

edit: If you want to know more about the Oni around the town: https://www.takimotokan.co.jp/english/news/meet-the-demons-oni-of-hell-valley-in-noboribetsu-onsen-part-1/ <--the NoboribetsuHigashi one that welcomes you is absolutely massive! At 18 metres tall, that's as tall as about 9 or 10 of me.

 

Next we're off to Kyoto!

I like her winter tourist outfit a lot! I'm always fond of ensembles that look like real streetwear in miniature.

 

The town does look beautiful in the snow and sunlight, and the hot springs themselves are of course super impressive.

 

I also really like the posing in the shot of Miku wandering off. She looks like a very natural part of her environmwnt.

WOW its been nearly a month - I havent been able to have time to upload more photos, plus my laptop died so and there was a backlog of things I needed to get done once I finally got it back.

But here's the last part of the trip - Kyoto! (We did go to Osaka too, but I didnt take Miku anywhere there sadly)

First top is the various temples up near Kiyomizu way. I kept forgetting Miku had this hat with her so its only in a few photos.

DSC_0372 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

DSC_0373 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

On the other side of Kiyomizu proper.

DSC_0348 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

There's a really nice view of the surrounding mountains up there too.

DSC_0343 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

Last time I came here it was the middle of summer, so we didnt come up this high as we felt ready to die at any minute. Unfortunately the winter scenery isnt as pretty as the other seasons would be (without snow, anyway... it looks amazing with snow but we werent that lucky) but oh well.

DSC_0367 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

I did get a photo of Rin at this pond though - it was much greener then. I also realized I never uploaded those pics on the forum, but here it is if you want to compare:

 

Next was somewhere in Kyoto I actually haven't been before somehow, the Fushimi Inari Taisha, aka the fox shrine with the hundreds (thousands?) of torii gates. It's quite a sight! I honestly thought I got way more photos of Miku here than I actually did.

DSC_0398 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

Miku: kon kon~

DSC_0446 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

Many of the torii become a little less imposing/impressive if you can read that the text on them is actually sponsors from various companies. You can commercialize anything! (Still, whenever a sponsor buys a new torii for the trail, it creates more torii, which makes it more impressive, so it isnt necessarily a bad thing, just surreal to walk through what looks like a contemplative, serene place and then see BOUGHT TO YOU BY PANASONIC etc)

DSC_0437 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

I like the bit that overlooks the lake!

 

Finally, one of my favourite places in Kyoto - Saga Arashiyama and not just because its the same station you use to go to Tenshi no Sato, AKA the Super Dollfie Headquarters. If you head off in the other direction you can get to the beautiful Saga Arashiyama Bamboo forest.

I would have taken more pics here, but unfortunately it was choked with tourists due to chinese new year - which surprised me at first because every other time I've been here its been so quiet. (of course...I was one of those tourists contribuing to said choking, so I can't complain)

DSC_0456 by torinomh mh, on Flickr

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Aaaand that concludes Miku's Great Big Holiday!

Those were some nice photos! I really enjoyed em'. The Torii gates reminded me of Inakon for some reason. Mainly due to Miku saying kon kon lol.

Kyoto is beautiful!

 

I very much like the shot of Miku by the pond. Also the one where she seems to be inviting us to join her in the Saga Arashiyama bamboo forest.

Great pics! Also is that an actual snow sculpture??? That text looks too perfect haha.

Great pics! Also is that an actual snow sculpture??? That text looks too perfect haha.

I advise searching up pics of the Sapporo snow Fest in general and you will be able to see that the Snow Miku ones are actually some of the LEAST impressive. They do some crafty things with snow up there.

Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing them with us.