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.
A Muji with a View ― 2026/02/18
A view from a local Muji lounge where you can enjoy a paper cup of cocoa for 90 yen.
After a long, exhausting walk, slipping and sliding through the snow, even ordinary vending machine cocoa felt like a ski-resort treat.
Early-Hours Professionals ― 2026/02/18
Here in Sapporo, I have realized that there are some extremely demanding professions. I would say one of the toughest is early-morning newspaper delivery. Regardless of the weather—whether it is bitterly cold or heavily snowing—newspapers arrive at our doors at three o’clock in the morning, no matter which floor we live on or whether the building has an elevator. Every single day, without exception—even on the morning after a general election or after a night of heavy snowfall.
Likewise, snow-clearing operations are carried out before the city begins its daily activities. Snowplows work tirelessly through the night, and their operators must stay awake until morning. Yet their hard work can easily be undone by fresh snowfall the next day. What a punishing task!
I believe newspaper carriers in Sapporo should be paid more than those working in warmer, snow-free regions, especially those who simply drop papers into ground-floor mailboxes. And I sometimes wonder what snow shovellers do during the warmer seasons. Do they sell ice cream? Repair bicycles?
Updates on Snow Shoes ― 2026/02/16
13,680 yen (reduced from 22,000 yen), plus a shareholder discount at Daimaru
Although the snow season will (hopefully) be over within a month, I bought a new pair of snow boots equipped with state-of-the-art soles (at least by my standards).
Living up to their reputation, they feel extremely secure. Even as a complete beginner at walking on icy, snowy surfaces—which I definitely am—I managed a seven-kilometer walk without slipping or falling. I’m already thinking of getting another pair with the same soles while the winter clearance sale is still on.
This time, a shop assistant in the shoe section at Daimaru told me:
* Snow boots are essentially consumable items. Don’t expect them to last forever. When the soles wear out, the boots are done.
* It’s still too early for a first-year Sapporo resident to try walking in a pair of Hunter boots. You need a couple of years to get used to walking on icy, slippery surfaces—and even then, you still have to be very careful.
* If you see someone walking effortlessly in such conditions, they’re either very experienced at walking on snow, or they’ve mastered the art of sliding and walking at the same time.
I hope one day I will be able to walk in style in Sapporo winter — staying alive and safe.
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