Hokkaido: where ice creams thrive in sub-zero winters

When ice creams sell like hot cakes, many people are drowned. This is a famous example sentence to show the difference between correlation and causation. Yes, as you wise readers know, there is no causation between ice creams and drowning, but it’s just correlation: people tend to have ice creams and go swimming on hot days. Humans are creatures to seek a cause for everything, and so, we’re likely to mix up correlation and causation sometimes. No worries. Today’s topic is not about such a complicated thing, but I just think the above example sentence may go out of use in the near future because ice creams now sell very well even in winter.

Our hometown prefecture, Hokkaido is the northernmost part of Japan, and it’s very cold in winter. For example, it was – 16 degrees Celsius when I left home for work this morning. The outside temperature in the middle of winter is always sub-zero, but funnily enough, ice creams sell very well. According to a research by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sapporo (the capital city of Hokkaido) is ranked in the top 3 among 47 prefectural capital cities in the ranking of sales of ice creams in winter, though it is unranked in summer. Today, let’s dig out why that is!

The warm secret behind Hokkaido’s winter 

I have to apologize in advance because it’s not a big mystery to dig out. Why do ice creams sell relatively better in Hokkaido in winter? The answer is just simple: It’s because the average room temperature is higher in Hokkaido. Heaters are essential here, while most of the people only use AC to warm up a room in Japan outside Hokkaido. In addition, there’s a big difference in the basic principle for the structure of houses. Airtightness for warmth is the key requirement in Hokkaido, while ventilation for coolness is more important in the other areas.

You can easily see some differences in the appearance of houses in and outside Hokkaido, such as double windows, a windbreak room, etc. There’s no surprise considering the big difference in outside temperature. For example, the highest and lowest temperatures of Asahikawa (our hometown city) are, respectively, 36 degrees Celsius and – 24 degrees Celsius, while those of Tokyo are 38 degrees Celsius and – 4 degrees Celsius, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency data in 2023. As some of you may think the highest temperature of Asahikawa is higher than expected for its location, but such hot days continue only for a week or two. It’s not a big deal, and so, we pay more attention to airtightness for warmth for survival in winter. I believe architectural technologies have been making progress every day. When I was a kid, like more than 30 years ago, many people were troubled with condensation in the inner structure of house walls, but I’ve rarely heard of such troubles lately.

Hokkaido’s winter: a harsh wonderland with comfort indoors

Tourists must get cold feet and hesitate to come here when they learn how cold Hokkaido is, but I’m sure the indoor environment in winter is more comfortable in Hokkaido. When I lived in Tokyo, I was surprised to see my breath even inside the house. Indeed, winter in Hokkaido is so cold and harsh, but the indoor environment is warm and comfortable enough to enjoy ice creams only with a T-shirt on. In addition, I will confide a special secret to get the most out of winter in Hokkaido. It’s an open-air bath, where you can relax and enjoy watching snow in hot water, leaving your head cool in a sub-zero world. You should definitely come here in winter.

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