Cold Winters in Japan

[Niko]

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)

[ozzfest]

Hello, It sounds nice to me, I love winter.
I would like to go to Hokkaido and enjoy winter sports there, especially snowboarding

[gfell]

Don't need to go to Hokkaido to enjoy winter sports. Snowfall is really widespread thoughout Japan.

Yep, Japanese women just love their snowboarding.

[dederick]

Yes, winters can be long feel a lot colder than elsewhere, but I also agree there are some nice advantages. Definitely try skiing or snowboarding. It's not as expensive as you might think. Plenty of used equipment available. And if you can ski on a weekday, you'll have the slopes practically to yourself. By the way, do you like fish? If you are a sashimi or "yaki-zakana" (grilled fish) fan, then you will love winters because you will not get fresher fish anywhere. Drink it with the local "sake", preferably a "ginjo" grade and chilled.