A photo-essay recounts a winter trip to Sapporo, where persistent snowfall turns the city into a soft, reflective landscape. The writer describes arriving via New Chitose Airport and traveling through snowy streets and parks, noting how taxis glide confidently on icy roads and convenience store signs (e.g., Lawson) mark familiar urban waypoints. Night scenes show neon reflected in falling snow, lively bars and izakayas, and preparations for the annual Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri) with large ice blocks awaiting carving. A standout visit is to “Fudo Hill” featuring a monumental Buddha by architect Tadao Ando, where concrete meets snow to create a powerful, reverent atmosphere. The piece emphasizes that Sapporo’s heavy snow doesn’t feel harsh but rather makes the city warmer and more alive, leaving the traveler with a lasting memory of having lived through a whole season rather than just a trip.
