Tips from Locals

It is very chilly in February.It is the coldest part of the year. Put on warm clothes before going out, because the weather tends to be changeable.You had better to put on skid proof shoes.

In Sapporo in February, if you are spending much time outdoors, you should layer your clothes. As a bottom layer, you should wear thermal underwear.Over this you might wear a sweater and then an overcoat.Rather than a standard overcoat, wear something warmer like a ski jacket.Also, you should bring a hat or ear-warmer and gloves.

It will be difficult to walk on the frozen sidewalks without appropriate shoes.Winter boots or other warm shoes with good traction are best.If you find yourself slipping, you may want to buy “snow chains”for your shoes.These are made of rubber or plastic and have spikes on the bottom. They are attached to the soles of your shoes with glue; the clerk who sells them to you will put them on.Once put on, they can not be removed.They cost about 1,000 yen per pair, and you can buy them at Kiosks in JR(Japanese Railway) stations, subway stations, cobblers, and also in department stores. There are several names for this product, but if you say “Suberidome”(Soo-berry-dough-may) and point at your shoes, the clerk should understand you.

1. Tissue paper
Tissue paper in small packages are quite useful in case you get a runny nose because of the coldness outside.Also, there is no toilet paper at many public restrooms in Japan, so you should be prepared.Small packages of tissue paper are often handed out on the street for free.

2.Handy body warmer
This is a handkerchief-size, handy device which generates heat by chemical reaction.It is safe and non-toxic. Uasge: Take off the vinyl outer cover and then rub or shake inner bag. It generates heat slightly higher than human body temperature and keeps warm nearly 24 hours. It is quite convenient and useful. Be careful not to attach it to bare skin, or wear it long hours near the skin, because it may cause low-temperature burns.You can get them at Kiosks in JR(Japanese Railways) stations and subway stations, in department stores and drug stores. It costs around 100 yen for each.

1. Mascot Goods
You can get mascot goods (Keyholders, stuffed animals, memorial badges, etc.) at Koisks, department stores and even in the shops at the airport.

2. Ramen (noodles in hot soup)
It is one of the special dishes of Sapporo.There are three flavors of soup; salt, soy-sauce, and miso (soy-bean paste).It is very popular dish among Sapporo-kko(people in Sapporo).For a souvenir, try precooked ramen.It costs around 1,000 yen for 6 servings, and will keep for almost 2 weeks.

How to Cook: quite simple!
First, boil noodles in boiling water for a few minutes and dissolve the soup paste in a bowl with additional boiling water.Put the boiled noodles into the soup in the bowl.Add seasonings to taste and that is all.Cooked meat and fried vegetables are the most popular seasonings.You can get ramen at department stores and even in the shops at the airport.