冬季祭典 / Winter festivals

從1月到2月這段期間北海道各地都會舉辦冬季祭典。除了在各個祭典當中可以看到雪雕和冰雕之外，也會舉辦冬季特有的活動。在這些冬季祭典當中，也可以看到販賣當地著名料理的店家。預計於˙二月上旬舉辦的「札幌雪祭」是規模最大而且最著名的祭典，新年過後就開始準備製作大型的雪雕像。

Throughout January and February, many local winter festivals are held in Hokkaido. Each festival is unique but most of them pertain to making snow or ice sculptures or structures. Interesting and unique events on snow are held as festivals mostly. Also, temporary food stands selling local specialty foods are highlights at the events. In Hokkaido, the Sapporo Snow Festival, which is held in the beginning of February every year, is the biggest winter festival and is world famous. For this snow festival, preparations for big snow or ice sculptures start from soon after the New Year holidays.

1月上旬的札幌 / In Sapporo at the beginning of January

1月上旬的札幌的一日當中的最高氣溫在0度以下的日子很多。最高氣溫在0度以下的日子日文被稱作真冬日。在20～30年前雖然無法想像，可能是因為近幾年地球暖化的影響，冬季極少數有幾天最高氣溫是在零度以上的。札幌的1月最低氣溫約在負5度～負10度之間。1月1日～5日新年假期期間休息的店家也很多。

In Sapporo at the beginning of January, the highest temperature during the day is almost always below zero. If the highest temperature is below zero, the day is called Mafuyubi in Japanese, which literally means mid-winter day. About 20 to 30 years ago, highest temperatures above zero during a day were rare. In recent years though, it's more common. This is probably because of global warming. The lowest temperature can fall to -5 to -10 degrees. Shops, except for supermarkets and department stores, usually close from January 1st to 5th over the New Year holidays in Japan.

元旦日出 / Hatsuhinode

元旦日出是指在元旦（1月1日）早晨迎接天明的太陽。在日本新的一年一開始最初的日出被認為是十分吉利的，專程去看元旦日出的人也非常的多。北海道內有名的元旦日出觀賞景點有好幾個，室蘭市的地球岬就是其中之一。從水平線緩緩上升的太陽是受到歡迎的理由。元旦日出也是當地新聞報導的王道題材。

Hatsuhinode is the sunrise on New Year's Day, called ganjitsu in Japanese. "Hatsu" means the first and "hinode" means the sunrise. In Japan, hatsuhinode is regarded to be a happy and lucky thing, as the sun has been worshipped since ancient ages. It is popular to see hatsuhinode in Japan, and there are some famous spots in Hokkaido. Cape Chikyu in Muroran City is one of them. Chikyu means the earth. Here, it is possible to see the sun rise over the horizon of the sea. Hatsuhinode at Cape Chikyu is typically broadcast on Hokkaido's local news on TV.

日勝隘口 / Nisshou Pass

日勝隘口是位在日高町和清水町界線的隘口。夏天多霧，冬天降雪，一旦路面結冰行駛的道路狀況就會變得很危險，但它是連結札幌所在地的道央地區和帶廣、釧路所在地的道東地區的道路要衝。2016年8月30日因颱風來襲，造成日勝隘口路面崩塌、橋樑中斷。以2017年秋季搶修完成為目標目前還在施工中。因此作為替代道路的高速公路從占冠到音更帶廣這一區間是不收過路費的。

Nisshou Pass is between Hidaka Town and Shimizu Town, and is the border between them. As driving conditions are difficult due to dense fog in summer, and snow and ice on the road in winter, drivers have to be careful. This pass is important for transportation, connecting the Douou area (including Sapporo), and the Doutou area (including Obihiro and Kushiro). On August 30, 2016, a big typhoon hit, with landslides, road damage and bridge collapses occurring. As of December, 2016, construction work is still being undertaken, and will be finished in autumn 2017. During the construction, the paid express way between Shimukappu and Otofuke Obihiro is free.

丹頂鶴 / The red-crowned crane

丹頂鶴是居住在寒冷地區的鶴，是日本和中國大陸自古以來很熟悉的鳥類。丹頂鶴的頭部因為沒有羽毛皮膚直覺裸露出來而呈現紅色。而紃路濕原一帶是有名的丹頂鶴棲息地區，一整年都可以看得到。道東的鶴居村是有名的撒餌地，冬天可以看到上百隻的丹頂鶴。從2月到3月則是可以看到丹頂鶴跳求偶舞。

The red-crowned crane lives in relatively cool areas of the Far East, and is loved by people in China and Japan because of its elegant look. As there are no feathers on the top of its head, this part of the bare skin looks red. Kushiro Marsh and its surroundings are their most famous habitat, and the red-crowned crane can be seen through the year. In Tsurui Village, which literally means crane-living village, there is a big, famous sanctuary for feeding them, with more than one hundred cranes present in winter. In February and March, the cranes dance to find a mate.

初詣 / Hatsumoude

初詣（Hatsumōde)是日本的新年傳統的習俗之一，指的是新年一開始要去神社或是寺院參拜的活動。為了是要向神明獻上一年的感謝，以及祈願新的一年的平安順利。一般來說初詣是指在1月1日、2日、3日去新年參拜。參拜的途中都固定會有賣熱甜米酒（無酒精）的店家。也有神社或寺院在除夕當晚就有信眾為了新年參拜而徹夜排隊。

Hatsumoude refers to the first visit to a shrine or temple in the New Year, with this being one of Japanese traditional customs. Commonly, hatsumoude is a word for a visit on January 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. People give thanks for the previous good year and pray for safety, happiness and peace in the coming year. In the first three days of the New Year, there are temporary stands selling snacks or drinks. The most customary is the shop selling amazake, which literally means sweet sake, but is nonalcoholic. At some shrines or temples, people make a line to pray.

札幌Style / Sapporo Style

「札幌Style」是將介紹札幌的魅力的商品以統一的品牌來認證的企劃。都市與自然的融合、從雪中誕生出鮮豔的四季、許多不被傳統束縛誕生出自由思潮的魅力商品被認證。這些商品作為時尚的土產而受歡迎。在JR Tower 展望台的門票販售處前面有這些商品的專賣店。

Sapporo Style is a collective brand for products made in Sapporo. Sapporo Style is actually an official project to verify unique products which introduce the charm of Sapporo. All products of Sapporo Style have to follow the production concepts of harmony between urban and nature, four beautiful seasons - especially with the blessings of snow, and free ethos of the city. Any of these products are good souvenirs, and there is an official shop in front of the ticket counter of JR Tower's Observation Floor. There are also two other shops in the Odori area - Daimaru Fujii Central and Tourist Information in Odori Park.