Sapporo Local Customs

In Japan, the custom on Valentines Day is for ladies to give gifts of dark chocolate to the men of their choice - this, in fact, quite often extends to guys she works with also. One month later on 'White Day' men reciprocate with gifts of white chocolate to the lady of their choice (usually just their wife/girlfriend). In the weeks leading up to these dates, you will see fantastic displays of the most mouth-watering chocolates you've ever seen!!

Hold chopsticks towards the ends, not in the middle. When you're not using them or have finished eating, lay them in front of you with the tips pointing to the left. Don't stick chopsticks into your food, especially not into rice; at funerals chopsticks are stuck into the rice that isput on the altar. Don't pass food with your chopsticks directly to someone elses chopsticks; at funerals, bones of the cremated body are passed this way from person to person! Don't point at things with them , or play or wave them around, or move plates or bowls with them. If you've already used your chopsticks, transfer food from shared plates onto yours by using the opposite ends. Etiquette is very important in Japan and your efforts will be appreciated!!

There are two different types in Japan; western style and Japanese style. Away from the tourist areas, many public loos will be the Japanese squat style. So this is how you use them!
1. Face the rear of the loo (towards the wall)
2. Drop your trousers below your knees
3. Squat as closely to the porcelain as you can!!
If, as in the picture, there is a raised platform, then this is where you should stand.
Carry some tissues with you, as toilet paper is not usually provided.

If using a loo in a private house, don't forget to change into the 'wc slippers' that will be provided by your host, and also back again into your usual slippers afterwards!

Most entertaining takes place outside the home, so if you are invited to a Japanese friends home, here are some pointers:
When entering the house, take off your shoes in the lobby (genkan), and put on the slippers provided. Before entering any room laid with tatami mats, leave behind the slippers and carry on in your socks/or bare feet. So, before you go, put on clean socks!!. Men usually sit cross-legged and women can too, if they're wearing trousers/jeans. If not, fold your legs under you. Be aware, if you need to use the loo, you need to take off your slippers and put on the special 'wc slippers' before entering, then change them back after leaving the loo. Etiquette is hugely important in Japan, and your efforts to fit in will be much appreciated by your host!

Many of the cities in Hokkaido are named from Ainu words (Sapporo, Shiraoi, Tomakomai, and Asahikawa). Ainu are the aborginal people of Hokkaido. The Ainu believed that anything they couldn't control was a god, including nature, animals, plants, and objects. Ainu means human or the opposite of those gods. From the 1400s mainland Japanese began to colonize Hokkaido. The Ainu people were used as forced labor, families were broken up, and the language was banned. During the Meiji Period, the Ainu were assimilated through intermarriage, and over time most of the daily customs and language was lost. In the late eighties there was a large movement to preserve the dying language and culture. Most of the Ainu that you meet these days are only half Ainu and can't speak the language. I highly recommend you take the time to learn a little about this fascinating culture while in Hokkaido.

The red star you?fll see all over the city (makes me think of Texas) represents the North Pole star.?@?@The Old Government Building, the Clock Tower, Sapporo Factory, and the Beer Musuem all have a red star.

Japanese language is one of the most complicated! Three types of characters. Anyway, here's some useful phrases to keep in mind in case you need help.

IN AN EMERGENCY:Help! Tas'kete!
Stop! Tomete!
Fire! Kaji!
Call the police Keisatsu o yonde kudasai!

Useful Phrases:

Yes Hai
No Ie
Thank you Arigato gozaimasu
Please Dozo
Sorry Sumimasen
Excuse Me Sumimasen
I don't understand Wakarimasen
Do you speak English? Eigo o hanashimasuka?
How are you? Ogenki desu ka ?
Good morning Ohayo gozaimasu
Good afternoon Konnichiwa
Good evening Konbanwa
Good night Oyasumi nasai
Good bye Sayonara

FOOD CULTURE:

Recommended Specialties:
Genghis Khan Fry: Lamb or mutton cooked on a dome-shaped frying pan with seasonal vegetables, such as green peppers or onions. The cooked food is dipped in a Worcestershire type sauce & is often enjoyed with beer.
Sapporo Ramen: A year-round favorite because of its steaming hot, full-bodied soup & noodles that don't go limp in the broth. Most delicious on a wintery cold night!
Ishikari-nabe: A type of stew which is cooked in front of you & eaten from a large pot set in the middle of the table. This typical fish of salmon, tofu (bean cake) & many kinds of vegetables are dipped in a special bean paste sauce. Yummy!