Love the Onsens Though Get ready, winter is coming!
If anyone has taught in Japan over the winter months, you will surely agree that it's no cozy experience.
Coming from Canada, we have colder winters than in Japan. However, for some odd reason, the winters here in Japan go straight to the bone.
My first experience was when I taught English in Miyagi-ken (northern Japan). Rather than going back home to spend Xmas with family, I spent my time sliding up and down ice covered roads.
Next experience was teaching English in Tokyo. It was the same!
Damn cold! No matter how many clothes I would put on before going outside, it just made little difference.
Expect:
- a build up of condensation on windows
- seeing your white breath in front of you when you wake up
- sleeping with your head constantly under the covers
- wearing fleecy lined jumpers to bed in order to keep warm
- spending hours in the bath. Oh I love this! A beer by my side and the music on in the background.
- sweating it out in the heated trains. Time to rip off all that clothing!
- not being able to see out the windows in the train due to everyones breath. Not a nice thought huh... the lack of ventilation.
But then again, Japanese winters are not all bad. The abundance of snow fields and relaxing hot baths, aka onsens makes it all worthwhile.
Oh, don't forget the kotatsu's. These are heated tables where you lie under at home with a blanket over the table to trap in the heat. Hahaha... once again, beer in one hand, remote in the other and pizza on the table. Can easily stay there all day!
Greg.
(TEFL Teacher - OTC, Tokyo)