Hokkaido is an outdoors destination. Visitors generally arrive expecting to spend most of their waking hours amidst nature since the island is known for this. In the winter, serious skiers and beginners alike flock to the ski slopes just near the Kiroro Tribute Portfolio. There are easy slopes for new skiers and steep slopes for the serious downhill skiers.

Outside of winter, visitors head for the hills and parks for hikes and cycling. Hokkaido is a trekker’s paradise, full of beautiful trails without crowds.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN AT THE KIRORO TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO HOTEL IN HOKKAIDO

On our recent stay at the Kiroro Tribute Portfolio, we generally fell into this same enjoyable pattern. I spent my mornings on a Segway, zipping through the forests. In the afternoons, we explored some hiking trails. One of the most popular things to do in Kiroro in the summer is to do a short hike to a waterfall.

However, one day, I felt like just relaxing and doing something creative for a change. This was when the concierge said to me: “Why don’t you do some crafts at our Activity Center?”

ARTS AND CRAFTS AT THE ACTIVITY CENTER

The Kiroro Tribute Portfolio has a large activity center that’s the hub for all the fun indoors and outdoors. However, I said: “Crafts at the activity center? Isn’t that just for kids?”

The concierge replied: “Not at all. Of course we have a lot of children signing up for crafts. However, adults can also do all kinds of crafts. Many people end up enjoying these activities actually. Arts and crafts are probably therapeutic.”

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Taking his word for it, I decided to sign up for arts and crafts at the activity center. The crafts room is a bright and airy room with a center table filled with materials.

Participants choose a space for themselves and select what they wish to make from a list of options. Of course, there were several children hard at work on decorating music boxes and candles. Interestingly, I was not the only adult who’d decided to stay indoors for a change and get creative.

PAINTING CUPS AND SAUCERS IN HOKKAIDO

I chose to design my own cup and saucer, thinking this would be a good and practical memory of my stay at the Kiroro Tribute Portfolio Hotel. For this, I got a plain cup and saucer and a set of watercolor markers.

I couldn’t believe it. I said to the lady in charge of the crafts room: “We only use watercolor markers? How is this possible?”

She smiled at me and said: “The watercolor markers are non-toxic so they’re safe to use. At the same time, the color clings quite nicely to the pottery. Just make sure not to smudge your designs.”

I spent about two hours designing my cup and saucer. It was so easy to get engrossed in this task. As the concierge said, crafts are really therapeutic.

THE BEST SOUVENIR OF HOKKAIDO

When I was done, the lady carefully placed my masterpieces into a box. “When you get home, bake this in the oven for several minutes and then your cup and saucer will be fine.” She included a sheet of simple instructions along with this.

The cup and saucer turned out fine, as she promised. I use these everyday. And whenever I do, I always remember my enjoyable holiday at the Kiroro Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Hokkaido.

Read more about the best hotels and resorts in Hokkaido in Travelife Magazine.

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