Today's Little Achievement ― 2026/03/03
The streets are mostly dry now, with piles of melting snow along the sides. You still find some slush here and there, but it’s no longer as dangerously slippery as before.
And... let me brag a little: For the first time since moving to Sapporo in mid-January, I walked to the city center today in normal shoes—no spikes or Vibram soles required! Hooray! It took about 30 minutes, but I’m sure I’ll get there faster once I’m more familiar with the route.
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!)
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.
Winter Park ― 2026/02/16
It’s hard to believe this is Japan…
The clear, crisp air, the snow-covered trees…
And children beginning their early training in the snow.
Perhaps the next Sara Takanashi is among them.
Luxury of Choice ― 2026/02/15
I discovered that there are two public libraries within walking distance of our place.
For the first time in years, I wandered through shelf after shelf of books with no particular goal in mind.
After the hellish move and two years of going back and forth between two cities, the quiet felt especially comforting. It also made me realize how many new books have been published without me even noticing.
My Little Shelter ― 2026/02/14
Valuable and life-saving 108 yen
There’s no way to put into words the comfort I felt finding a Seico Mart serving hot coffee in the middle of a snowy walk.
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