2024/12/20 [Fri]
Experiencing Japan: From Hokkaido’s Snowy Peaks to Gunma’s Charming Vistas
Hi everyone! My name is Jorge. I’ve been living in Japan for nearly seven years now. “Seven years?” you might ask. “Why haven’t you gone home yet?” The reason is simple: I love it here. I spent almost two years in Hokkaido before moving down to Gunma. Before that I was in Tokushima for 5, but that’s a story for another day.
Challenging Myself in New Climates
As someone born and raised in Florida, I had never lived in a place with snow. Sure, I’d seen snow during my travels, but never in significant amounts. Tokushima, for example, gets mild snowfall each year, but not enough to build a big snowman. The snow melts so fast that you can’t enjoy the frosty friend you create.
Hokkaido was breathtakingly beautiful, but this Florida man’s blood started to freeze! So, I was thrilled to move to Gunma. I’ve heard it can get quite windy here, with the wind feeling like little daggers during winter walks. Luckily, I have my own car! Everything seems so close by car, but I also enjoy long walks.
My Love for Japanese Cars
I love Japanese cars. In the US, I drove an old 1995 Toyota Corolla that used to belong to my father. It lasted 20 years before finally breaking down. This just shows how sturdy Japanese cars can be. I think small Kei cars are cute and economical. What about you? Do you prefer smaller cars or larger ones? Or maybe you’d rather take the train? In Japan, I feel spoiled for choice. On snowy days, I can rely on the train to get around safely.
Hokkaido’s Endless Snow
In Hokkaido, snow is almost a given, especially from late December to the end of February. Sometimes, surprise snowfall even occurs until the end of April. It’s a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. You should visit someday during winter and experience it yourself. If Hokkaido is too far, there are ski resorts in Nagano and even in Gunma. I might visit after New Year’s. If you like winter sports you should come visit!
A White Christmas in Japan
So, back to my question: Will we get a White Christmas this year? My family, being of Latin American descent, always celebrated Christmas on the 24th. We’d party, and when the clock struck midnight, we’d rush to open presents. In Japan, Christmas is celebrated on the 25th, more as a couples’ holiday than a family event. It’s fascinating how Christmas traditions vary around the world. I’d love for it to snow on the night of the 24th—that would be a White Christmas for me. Maybe you prefer snow on the 25th?
If it snowed on both days, that would be a super special Christmas, wouldn’t it?
