2020 札幌雪祭10丁目大雪像/ 2020 Sapporo Snow Festival Large snow sculpture at Odori 10-chome site

大通10丁目大雪像的主題是人氣卡通人物的海螺小姐。 「海螺小姐」 在2019年時迎來開始播出50週年紀念。使用雪像來演示出海螺小姐一家人滑雪或溜冰等享受冬季運動的樣子。因為札幌市正爭取主辦2030冬季奧運會和殘奧會的資格，這個雪像也是宣傳活動之一。

The theme of the large snow sculpture at the 10-chome site in Odori Park is Sazaesan, a famous manga and animation title. It has been over 50 years since the Sazaesan animated TV series started (2019 was the 50th anniversary.) The sculpture depicts each member of Sazaesan’s family enjoying winter sports. The main character, Sazae is alpine skiing, her husband Masuo ski jumping, her son Taro curling, and the family cat Tama bobsleighing. The reason for this design is the PR effort for Sapporo to win the hosting of the Winter Olympics in 2030.

2020 札幌雪祭8丁目大雪像/ 2020 Sapporo Snow Festival Large snow sculpture at Odori 8-chome site

大通8丁目的大雪像主題是民族共生。2020年4月，在白老町POROTO湖畔的UPOPOI(民族共生象徵空間)將會開幕。UPOPOI在阿伊努語中意味著「(大夥來)唱歌」。中央的雪像是村子的守護神，KOTANKAMUI(島梟) 。右邊則是以原住民阿伊努的歷史和文化為主題的國立博物館 ，是日本最初和日本最北的國立博物館。

The theme of the large snow sculpture at the 8-chome site in Odori Park is living together beyond ethical differences. In April, 2020, in Shiraoi Town, Upopoy (the National Ainu Museum and Park) is opening at Poroto Kotan, which is on the shores of Lake Poroto. Poroto Kotan is one of the famous Ainu villages in Hokkaido, popular with tourists. Upopoy means singing in a large group in the Ainu language. A Blakiston’s fish owl with its wings open dominates the center of the snow carving. The right part of the sculpture depicts the building of the national museum.

2020 札幌雪祭7丁目大雪像/ 2020 Sapporo Snow Festival Large snow sculpture at Odori 7-chome site

大通7丁目大雪像的主題是在2019年時迎向和日本建交100周年的波蘭共和國。製作了在首都華沙的瓦金基公園內建造的宮殿和作曲家蕭邦的雪像。瓦金基公園很優美， 是從1776年開始花了30年的歲月所建造的。今年也是5年一度蕭邦國際鋼琴比賽的舉行年。

The theme of the large snow sculpture at 7-chome site in Odori Park is Polish People’s Republic. 2019 saw the centenary of Japan and Poland beginning diplomatic relations. The capital of Poland is Warsaw, and Royal Baths Park is a highlight of a visit to the city. The Palace on the Isle and the statue of Frédéric Chopin in the park are build with snow at this site. Royal Baths Park, which took 30 years to create starting in 1776, is a beautiful undertaking. Every five years, the International Chopin Piano Competition is held, with it falling on the year 2020.

2020 札幌雪祭5丁目大雪像/ 2020 Sapporo Snow Festival Large snow sculpture at Odori 5-chome site

大通5丁目大雪像的主題是賽馬的純種馬。 日本的賽馬有98%是從北海道誕生的。 在此至今已經誕生出數匹名馬。 法國的凱旋門賞是從1920年所創設的規格最高的比賽。 北海道勢必要成功的願望是成為能夠稱霸世界最高峰比賽的馬產地之一。在大雪像的中央是純種馬，背景製作出法國的凱旋門。

The theme of the large snow sculpture at 5-chome site in Odori Park is thoroughbred horse racing. 98 percent of Japanese race horses are born in Hokkaido, with some having made considerable fortune and fame. There are many famous, classic and ceremonial races throughout the world. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe held in France is one of them, and started 1920. Those who are involved in the horse racing industry in Hokkaido have long been striving to win it. At this site, a big horse sculpture is set to a background of the Arc de Triomphe.

2020 札幌雪祭4丁目大雪像/ 2020 Sapporo Snow Festival Large snow sculpture at Odori 4-chome site

大通4丁目大雪像的主題是阿伊努神話。以雪像來表現出天地創造的神話的場景。主人公為雷神（康納神威）和森林的女神（妻奇薩妮公主）。著迷於妻奇薩妮公主的康納神威因而情緒高漲，便將雷落下到地面。結果變造成了大爆炸使妻奇薩妮公主燃燒起來。並在那個火焰中誕生出人類的神明「阿伊努拉庫魯」。

The theme of the large snow sculpture at 4-chome site in Odori Park is a myth of the Ainu, the aboriginal people of Hokkaido. The scene of the creation of the world is depicted in a snow sculpture. Kanna Kamui, the god of thunder and lightening, and Chikisani, the goddess of the forest are the main characters. Kanna Kamui strikes the land with a huge bolt of lightening on account of his infatuation with Chikisani. The land then catches fire, and from the huge flames the god of humans, Ainu Rakkuru, is born. On the stage, Moment Factory, an art group from Canada, holds a projection mapping show.

2020 札幌雪祭2丁目大雪像/ 2020 Sapporo Snow Festival Large snow sculpture at Odori 2-chome site

大通2丁目會場的主題是最先端技術和阿伊努傳統文化。也會製作名為黃金神威的人氣漫畫的雪像。這個漫畫的舞台是在19世紀的北海道。圍繞著阿伊努民族所隱藏的金塊所進行的故事。雪像有對應AR和投射影像的兩種技術。特別設置的舞台上則會進行阿伊努古式舞蹈和現場演出的音樂會。

The theme of the 2-chome site in Odori Park is a combination of cutting-edge technology and traditional Ainu culture. The snow sculpture feature is Golden Kamui, a popular manga which focuses on Ainu. The setting of this manga story is Hokkaido in the 19th century. It’s an adventure about people seeking a bounty of the gold, which the indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido were fabled to have hidden. During the Sapporo Snow Festival, the Golden Kamui will be the medium for a spectacular show using augmented reality and projection mapping. Traditional Ainu dance will be on show, and music events will also be held. Check the timetable on the official brochure.

1月中旬的札幌, In Sapporo at the middle of January

1月中旬的札幌，一天當中的最低氣溫為零下5度到零下10度。最高氣溫為零下5度到0度。如果從北方襲來冷氣團時，最高氣溫會是零下7到8度，最低氣溫會達到零下12度到13度。然而，如果從南方飄來暖空氣時，最高氣溫也會到正2度到正3度。因為目前是札幌雪祭的準備期間，高於零下的氣溫會影響到製作雪像。

In the middle of January in Sapporo, the lowest temperature during the day is typically minus 5 to 10 degrees, with the highest temperature reaching minus 5 to 0 degrees. If a cold air mass comes from the north, the highest temperature may fall to minus 7 or 8 degrees. When a warm mass air comes, the highest temperature rises to plus 2 or 3 degrees. January is the important month for making snow and ice sculptures for the Sapporo Snow Festival, so temperatures above freezing level cause problems as the sculptures made of snow or ice begin to melt.

七草粥 / Nanakusa Gayu

七草粥是日本傳統食品之一，1月7日當天要食用。1月7日被稱做人日的節氣。要做加上切碎的春季七草(芹菜、薺、母子草、蘩蔞、小鬼田平子、菘又稱蔓菁、蘿蔔)的鹹粥來吃。有時候也會加進年糕一起吃。除了是祈求一整年都能健康之外，也有讓在正月時因吃了慶祝正月的大餐和賀酒後虛弱的胃休息的目的。

Nanakusa Gayu is a traditional Japanese dish eaten on January 7th, a day called Jinjitsu-no Sekku. (Incidentally, there are other traditional dishes for several special days through the year.) Nanakusa means seven vegetables, those being Seri, Nazuna, Gogyo, Hakobera, Hotokenoza, Suzuna and Suzushiro. They are finely chopped and added into rice porridge with only salt as seasoning. Some people add small pieces of mochi (sticky rice cake). The purpose is to pray for good health in the new year and to make one’s stomach condition better, after we have eaten special dishes around New Year’s Day, or partaken in sake or other alcohol beverages.

昆布 / Kombu kelp

昆布是一整年當中都會使用的固定食材。是日本料理不可獲缺的。主要用於熬煮高湯或用作食材以砂糖和醬油來熬煮成佃煮。因為昆布只能在海水溫度低的海域生長所以日本的昆布9成以上都是北海道產的。雖然北海道幾乎所有的海域都能採到昆布，然而根據地域不同種類也不同。有利尻昆布、羅臼昆布、長昆布、日高昆布、真昆布、細目昆布等。

Kombu kelp is a typical, integral ingredient in Japanese cuisine used throughout the year. For the purpose of making the soup stock called dashi, or for the purpose of using it as is for dishes, kombu fulfils an important role within Japanese cuisine. A typical use of konbu is in Tsukudani, which is a tiny side-dish to eat with rice. As kombu grows in cold sea water, more than 90 percent of konbu found throughout Japan is from Hokkaido. Kombu can be found growing naturally almost anywhere on the coast, but at some places it is farmed. There are several species; Rishiri Kombu, Rausu Kombu, Hidaka Kombu, Ma Kombu, and Hosome Kombu among others. Some use the growing region's name.

門松 / Kadomatsu

「門松」是在正月時放在家門前或店鋪前的裝飾品。有紀錄顯示正月的風俗習慣是從10世紀左右開始。主要的裝飾物是松樹枝，中世紀以後竹子便一起拿來裝飾。也有超過人身高的門松。常被放置於百貨公司的店門口。也有販賣家庭用的小型門松。一般來說是從元旦裝飾到1月15日為止。

Kadomatsu is a Japanese traditional decoration for the New Year. Kado stands for gate, and matsu means pine tree. It’s put in front of the entrance of houses or shops. This custom started around the 10th century according to written-records. For Kadomatsu, pine trees were originally used, but after the medieval period, using bamboo with the pine tree grew in popularity. Pine tree and bamboo are evergreen plants, which suggests eternal prosperity. Big ones stand taller than an average man, and are usually seen at the entrance of department store. For home-use, small ones are sold at shops, and even at some supermarkets. They're displayed until January 15th.

跨年蕎麥麵 / Toshikoshi Soba

「跨年蕎麥麵」是日本的風俗之一。是指在除夕（12月31日）時吃可帶來好運的蕎麥麵。因為蕎麥麵比其他的麵類容易切斷，有「斬斷今年一整年惡運」的意思，一般來說是在除夕當晚的跨年前吃。歷史上的起源有諸多說法。12月時蕎麥麵店家會提供家庭用蕎麥麵的預約販賣等，是日本年末的傳統景象。

Toshikoshi Soba is a Japanese traditional custom. Toshikoshi means ‘beyond a year’ and Soba is Japanese buckwheat noodles. They're eaten on New Year's Eve to pray for good luck. Soba is of an easier to cut texture than other noodles, and we believe that bad things from the year are cut off and not to continue. Generally, Toshikoshi Soba is eaten as lunch or dinner on New Year's Eve. There are a number of stories how this custom came about. In December, we see soba specialty shops sell sets of noodles to be cooked at home. This scene brings the mind to the coming new year.

Kamaei

「KAMAEI」是北海道內首屈一指的老舖魚板製造業者。在小樽市的觀光區-堺町大道幾乎是正中央的位置附近有工廠和直營門市。有參觀工廠專用的看台，可以透過玻璃觀察到製造過程。並且隨時播放解說影片。招牌商品是在麵包上塗上魚漿後用油炸的魚漿麵包卷。在札幌也有分店。

Kamaei is one of the most famous kamaboko (steamed minced-fish paste) makers in Hokkaido. Their headquarters is in Otaru City, and their factory is located almost in the middle of Sakaimachi-dori Street, a highlight of Otaru tourism. The factory houses a shop selling products directly from the factory, and a show window from which to observe the production process. Their main production time is from 9 a.m. to noon. Whenever the shop is open, a 10 minute informational movie is on loop. Their most famous product is their Pan Roll (deep fried bread with kamaboko). They also have branches in Sapporo.

函館市電 / The trams in Hakodate City

函館市電（路面電車）對於旅行者而言是很方便的交通手段，也是巡迴觀光景點時必須的工具。路線呈Y字型，兩條路線覆蓋大多數的車站。函館市電是於1913年時，代替馬車所開業的。函館市電是比札幌和東北的秋田以及仙台的路面電車還古老，是東京以北日本最早的路面電車。在北海道有行駛路面電車的只有函館市和札幌市。

In Hakodate City, the trams are useful for transportation to tourist spots. There are two lines, which run on the same street for most of their routes, then separate at Jujigai, which is the center of the city. One line leads to the north harbor area and the other leads to the south harbor area. The line’s map is like Y-shape. The Hakodate tram was established in 1913, replacing the horse draw rail carriages. It’s older than Sapporo’s tram system and is actually the second oldest in the eastern part of Japan after Tokyo. Now, in Hokkaido, only Sapporo and Hakodate have trams on the street.

室蘭拉麵 / Muroran Ramen

室蘭拉麵的特徵是咖哩口味的湯頭。也有人將咖哩湯頭的拉麵標榜於繼日本拉麵的標準口味的味增、鹽味、醬油味的第4種口味。發祥店「味之大王」也有人排隊。有由拉麵店和製麵公司所設立的被稱作「室蘭咖哩拉麵之會」的團體。不光只有室蘭市，在登別市、伊達市和洞爺湖町等地加起來有20間以上的專門店加盟「室蘭拉麵」。

Muroran Ramen features curry flavored soup. Some say this curry flavor may become the fourth major ramen flavor after the big three flavors of shouyu (soy sauce), miso (fermented beans salt paste) and shio (salt). Ajino Daiou, which literally translates to ‘the king of taste’, in Muroran city created the dish, and it then spread through the area. Sometimes people queue up to enjoy the original taste at this birthplace of curry ramen. There is a semi-official group promoting Muroran curry ramen which was established by ramen specialty shops and noodle makers. Now, more than 20 ramen establishments, not only from Muroran City but also Noboribetsu City, Date City and Toyako Town belong to this collective.

勝手丼 / Kattedon

「勝手丼」（勝手在為日文的漢字，譯為隨意）是和商市場（釧路）的名產。有6間魚舖販賣一口大小的壽司用的生魚片配料。在數家的熟食店有賣白飯。勝手丼就是指帶著買來的白飯到各家魚店買喜歡的生魚片配料來製作自己專屬的海鮮丼。起源是在往昔，心地好的魚屋老闆要求省錢旅遊的年輕人們只買了白飯後拿來，在白飯上放少量的海鮮來販賣的形式。

Kattedon is a feature of Washo Market in Kushiro City. Katte stands for ‘as you like’ and Don means rice bowl. At six fresh fish and shellfish shops, one-bite size fresh sashimi (topping on a piece of sushi) is sold, while rice bowls without toppings are sold at side-dish specialty shops. To enjoy Kattedon, one buys just a rice bowl and then buys their favorite toppings at a fish shop. This locale was established many years ago when young men who were enjoyed frugal travel were offered just rice, and a fish shop cut their fish fillets into pieces to sell.

烏賊飯 / Ikameshi

「烏賊飯」是道南地區的森町的名產。在烏賊的身體裡塞入米粒（粳米和糯米混合），放到醬汁裡面燉煮後米就會被炊熟。醬汁是以醬油為基底的甜醬汁。這道料理最吸引人的點就是吸飽烏賊高湯的軟糯米飯的味道。是由阿部商店使用森町產的槍烏賊於1941年時推出的料理。之後到北海道外的百貨公司活動等展出後，受到莫大的迴響。

Ikameshi is a local specialty of Mori Town in the southern part of Hokkaido. Two different types of raw rice (one the typical staple, and the other stickier) are put into a squid's body and simmered in special thick soup with a sweet-flavored soy sauce base. The texture of soft squid and gentle sticky rice complement each other nicely. Ikameshi was invented by Abe Shouten, a local bento box shop, in 1941. In those days, a lot of squid were caught off Mori Town and the shop owner needed to make use of them. After exposure at temporary showcases at department stores in Honshu, the dish became famous.