Old Enough (for a Welfare Visitor) ― 2026/02/26
Shortly after we settled in, a lady knocked on our door. Identifying herself as a "community welfare volunteer," she explained that she visits old people who have recently moved to the neighborhood.
"I check on seniors who might need assistance, and since you BOTH seem to be SENIORS, I wanted to say hello and see if you’re doing okay," she said, with a very polite and professional demeanor. For me, this was the first time I had ever been addressed as "old" right to my face. I mean, I know I am technically a "senior," but a part of me hadn't truly accepted that label yet. You can feel "young at heart" forever—until you are forced to face a bitter reality.
Anyway, after recovering from that initial shock, I took a look at the brochure she left, and felt even more discouraged. It seemed to cry out to me:
* You can still work! (And you should!)
* Do volunteer (unpaid) work for the community!
* Join senior clubs, sports classes, or preventative health activities!
It felt as if what I do these days—walking (wandering) around alone in silence, watching films at home, and avoiding group activities—was being labeled "incorrect."
By the way, how did she know we had moved in? She mentioned she was told to visit by "someone at the municipal office." Well, I know she had good intensions, and perhaps my victim mentality is running high, but I can't help but feel a slight sense of "big brother" watching...
The 240-yen Adventure Saga: Episode I ― 2026/02/24
Although their timetables are by no means conveniently designed, and the aisles can feel a bit cramped with passengers "swollen" in their black down jackets, I find riding the bus in Sapporo to be a safe and delightful way to discover new places. While subways are faster, they hide the city from you. On a bus, you can see the natural ups and downs of the land and really get a feel for how different neighborhoods connect—all for just 240 yen.
The other day, I hopped on a bus to the Fukusumi area.
I was struck by how different the atmosphere felt compared to my own neighborhood; it was calm yet reasonably lively, with the UFO-like Sapporo dome in a distant view.
First, I stopped at a big Donq bakery for an afternoon coffee.
They actually offer an all-you-can-eat bread buffet during lunch, but I stuck to just coffee—partly because I was still stuffed from lunch at home, and partly because my monthly "cafe budget" was running thin!
Afterward, I wandered to the other side of the station and stumbled upon a large farm run by a local agricultural specialist school.
It looks like they sell fresh produce and soft-serve ice cream in warmer seasons, though it was closed for the season when I visited.
After getting slightly lost for a while (thankfully, it wasn't snowing!), I eventually made it to Branch Sapporo Tsukisamu, a suburban outdoor shopping center. There, I picked up a "corn bun" (think an-pan but filled with sweet corn kernels) and scored a pair of pre-owned trousers for 1,600 yen at Second Street.
By the way, the bus was packed both ways, and I had to stand the whole time.
(Many thanks to Gemini for help with polishing this post!)
When Snow Melts... ― 2026/02/23
Once the weather warms and the snow begins to melt, the streets transform into a nightmarish landscape of ice, slush, muddy water, massive puddles, and remnants of snowbanks—a mess I’ve never seen in my life.
The road conditions change with every few steps. To make matters worse, drivers seem completely oblivious to the existence of us pedestrians. They don't even slow down at crosswalks, sending massive splashes of dirty water flying. It’s absolutely impossible to enjoy a leisurely walk while listening to my Walkman.
However, there is a glimmer of hope: the harshest part of the Hokkaido winter seems to be nearing its end (or at least, that’s what my hairdresser told me—and I’m choosing to believe him). Yay!
Cafe Heaven ― 2026/02/22
There are many cafés around our new place. Or rather, we’re surrounded by authentic coffee houses. Of course, there are the usual national chains, but it’s the independent spots—serving delicate sweets and carefully brewed coffee—that are especially appealing.
They’re wonderful, truly. Perhaps a little too wonderful. They feel almost too nice to drop into casually on my way to or from shopping or the library.
For example:
900 yen
At this café, all the tableware is made by Okura Toen—ultra high-end porcelain, at least by my standards.
about 800 yen
At this place, the cream was outrageously good. I nearly swooned.
At both cafés, at 10 o’clock on a snowy weekday morning, I was the only customer. Full table service, warm hospitality—I felt thoroughly welcomed. Considering the quality, the prices are quite reasonable. These days, you have to be prepared to pay over 1,000 yen for a slice of cake and a cup of coffee.
Good, good, good. Almost perfect.
And yet… I find myself wishing for places that are a bit more casual—in atmosphere and in price—so that I can drop in without feeling self-conscious or thinking about the contents of my wallet.
Maybe I’m asking for the impossible. Still, in this neighborhood, even Starbucks feels relatively accessible.
about 680 yen
Starbucks is, well, Starbucks. And the staff sometimes give off a faintly “enlightened” or carefully curated stylish air (not always successfully). But it does feel easy and relaxed. Cost-wise, too.
No Longer Safe Haven ― 2026/02/21
Back in Fukuoka, yet another stabbing incident occurred—this time at the local library I used to visit every week.
A 61-year-old man stabbed two visitors, aged around 80 and 50, and a security guard in his 70s (Yes, in Japan, people of that age sometimes work in this sector, but that's another story).
I was shocked that even the library could become the stage for such a sinister incident. At the same time, part of me had a feeling that it might happen one day in this area, which seems prone to unexplainable crimes, where a socially marginalized person attacks ordinary, innocent people for no particular reason.
Today’s Treat ― 2026/02/20
Single pancake, a boiled egg and unlimited drinks: 604 yen at Gusto （morning special)
These days, Gusto feels like a more budget-friendly option than Mister Donut for a quick bite. And there’s a cute little robot serving you!
February Light ― 2026/02/20
Just look at that February light...
Although I have lived in this northern city for only one month, the soft February sunlight feels special, reminding me that the long days of snow and cold are coming to an end.
City View ― 2026/02/18
Snow, a spacious riverbank near the city center, a clear and wide sky and mountains close to the city. It is a view you would never see in Fukuoka. Whoever decided to keep the riverbank this wide must have been a true visionary.
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