Welcome to a Snow Hell

 （Originally posted on 2026.01.25 in A Fukuokan's Notes from Sapporo)

As we had expected, our first challenge in Sapporo was going shopping in extremely heavy snowfall.

Even locals seemed to struggle to drive, or even walk. What came to mind in this situation was the phrase "money talks":

residents of luxury condominiums with heated walkways enjoy dry, snow-free ground—though once they step outside their sanctuary, nature treats everyone equally with knee-deep snow.