3月上旬的札幌 / In Sapporo at the beginning of March

在3月上旬的札幌感覺到冬天結束的日子漸漸地增多了。一日當中的最低氣溫跟冬天相比也變高了，即使在很冷的日子也只有-5度左右。一日當中的最高氣溫在溫暖的日子時甚至會超過5度以上。也常發生人行步道上的雪跟冰塊融化造成行走困難。也發生住宅區內雪塊從屋頂掉落。

In Sapporo at the beginning of March, days which make people feel spring is coming are gradually increasing. The lowest temperature gets warmer; at around minus 5 degrees even on a cold day. On a warm day, it's around 0 degrees. Even if the temperature is below 0 degrees, the sunlight can melt the snow or ice. As for the highest temperature in a day, it sometimes reaches 5 degrees, which easily melts snow left on both sides of roads or footpaths and pavements. In residential areas, people start to see snow falling from roofs of houses. People still wear winter jackets however.

握壽司 / Nigiri sushi

握壽司是日本料理的代表菜色，在全世界都可以吃的到。北海道的海產跟本州所產的不同，作為新鮮海膽和鮭魚卵的產地廣為人知。另一方面，在本州多是使用煮過的花枝和蝦子作為壽司材料，但在北海道因為食材新鮮通常是使用生的材料。貝類種類也有點不一樣。特別是在近海的城市，希望大家都能享用北海道的新鮮壽司。

While nigiri sushi is a traditional style of sushi, well known throughout the world, Japan has several types of sushi. The toppings, known as neta in Japanese, for nigiri sushi in Hokkaido are usually different from those in other parts of Japan. Sea urchin and salmon roe produced in Hokkaido are famous for their freshness. Also, people in Hokkaido enjoy eating raw squid and shrimp while in other parts of Japan they are gently boiled. This is also because of their freshness. As for clams, the species are slightly different. Travellers should enjoy Hokkaido's genuine sushi, specially at places near the sea.

北狐 / Kitakitsune, or the Ezo red fox

北狐是廣泛地棲息於北半球紅狐的亞種，日本的話只在北海道棲息。體型比本州的狐狸大。從以前就經常作為北海道土產的主題。在北海道不管哪個區域都看得到北狐。然而，請不要隨意餵食人吃的食物給北狐。如果接觸到北狐，一不小心也有感染寄生蟲包蟲病的危險。

Kitakitsune, which translates to Ezo red fox in English, lives only in Hokkaido. It is a subspecies of the red fox which inhabits a large part of the northern hemisphere. The Ezo red fox is bigger than foxes living in other parts of Japan. The Ezo red fox has been drawn or characterized in souvenirs for a long time. In Hokkaido, it is not unusual to see them in mountain areas, and they sometimes turn up in the city. Giving food to them is bad for both humans and the fox. If someone touches the fox or its excrement, they may contract echinococcus disease.

木頭的Show room（北海道廳） / Ki-no Showroom (Hokkaido Government Building)

北海道廳（位於札幌市中央區）在一樓有稱作「木頭的Show room」的免費休息空間。那裡有放置使用北海道產木材所製作的桌椅。那裡除了有使用由間伐木材所製造的紙杯的自動販賣機，冬天也會放置伐木後的木屑所做的燃料棒為燃料的暖爐。這裡也有展示北海道各式各樣物品的空間。

Hokkaido Government Building (Sapporo City, Chuo-ku) has a place on the first floor where people can take a rest. It is called "Ki-no Showroom". "Ki-no" stands for wood in English. Its purpose is to promote wooden products of Hokkaido. There are chairs and tables made from Hokkaido timber, and a drink vending machine which uses paper cups made of timber from forest thinning. In winter, a heater which uses pellets made of Hokkaido sawdust is in operation. There is also a gallery type facility next to Ki-no Showroom exhibiting various things related to Hokkaido.

蝦夷棕熊 / Ezo Higuma, or the Hokkaido Brown Bear

蝦夷棕熊是日本原生哺乳類動物當中體型最大的生物。蝦夷是北海道的古稱，在日本只有北海道有蝦夷棕熊棲息在這裡。特別是在道東地區，公路上也曾目擊過棕熊。雖說熊會冬眠但是棕熊的活動期間是從春天到冬季初期。要步行前往山區攜帶驅熊鈴是必須的。萬一不小心遇到了熊，千萬別刺激熊慢慢地往回走，如果逃跑的話熊反而會追上來。

Ezo Higuma, or the Hokkaido Brown Bear in English, is the biggest mammal in Japan. This name is commonly shortened to Higuma. Ezo is the old name of Hokkaido and this bear can only be found in Hokkaido. They can be seen in all parts of Hokkaido but Eastern Hokkaido in particular is famous for bears. Sometimes, they're seen near roads there. They hibernate during winter; while they are active the rest of the year. When walking in the deep forest, a special bell is necessary to avoid meeting a Higuma. In the case of coming across one, retreating slowly is the best way. If you try running away, they will chase you.

札幌市出土文物中心的圖書資料展示室 / The book and paper-based historical materials exhibition room of Sapporo Buried Cultural Properties Center

札幌市出土文物中心的圖書資料展示室（札幌市中央區）位在札幌市中央圖書館的一樓。展示著札幌以及北海道的歷史資料（近代的重要書籍和文獻）。主要是作為限定期限的特別企劃展來展出貴重的資料。位於此房間隔壁是常設的出土文物展覽室，可以同時參觀。

The book and paper-based historical materials exhibition room of Sapporo Buried Cultural Properties Center (Sapporo City, Chuo-ku) is in Sapporo Municipal Central Library. Here, important material related to the history of both Sapporo and Hokkaido are shown; all on temporary exhibition. Most of the exhibition articles are old maps, letters written by historically important people and books. Next to this room, there is a permanent exhibition room. It displays archeological information about ancient houses and grave sites, as well as tools which include earthenware and stone implements excavated in Sapporo. It is possible to visit both rooms without ticket.

2月中旬的札幌 / In Sapporo in the middle of February

2月中旬的札幌，一日當中最低氣溫與最高氣溫的溫差很大。最低氣溫大概是在-3～-10度。最高氣溫在寒冷的日子為-3度左右。碰到溫暖的日子雪會融化，人行步道也會變的濕漉漉的。近幾年在札幌雪祭期間也出現過雪雕或冰雕因氣溫過高融化。

In Sapporo in the middle of February, the lowest and highest temperature vary daily. The lowest temperature can be minus 3 to 10 degrees. It is about minus 3 degrees on a cold day, but 3 degrees on a warm day. As a result, snow sometimes melts in the warm weather; and it is not easy to walk on the ground in the city. If a warm day comes during the Sapporo Snow Festival, snow or ice sculptures can melt. In recent years, unfortunately, this has been the case.