After completing my first year with the company, which proved to be an extremely rewarding one with new challenges and experiences, I ended 2011 in the UK for a month – no surprises with the weather there – murky grey days that stingily offered a measly 36 minutes of sunlight each!
Similarly, yet in stark climatic contrast, Japan’s winter months are predictably reliable in their nature – crisp blue skies and temperatures in the single figures on the coastal plains, sub-zero and snowy in the inland areas.
Nihonzaru, or the Japanese Macaques have become famous throughout the world for taking well earned dips in hot spring pools - they do have to endure winter temperatures that can drop to minus 20 at night after all! We were able to observe these primate cousins of ours from a few (i.e. 3!) feet away, catching a glimpse of their habits, mannerisms and social interaction - be it at bath time - without bothering them!
Being a lover of snow, I was so pleased to run our first tour of the year this January with people not so used to the white stuff – namely tour members from Brazil and Australia. The snow brings a pristine innocence to the countryside, that is awe-inspiring when it falls as much as it does here in Japan, much to the surprise of many.
This riverside stroll proved to be a million miles away, in every respect, from a sunset walk along the Copacobana for this Brazilian IJT group member!
For an experienced tour leader, it also paints towns and landscapes with a new and intriguing layer, prompting the feeling of an area unchartered. I really felt that my group and I were getting to see a Japan that so few do. My tour – Japan Unmasked – one of our trips that frequents the same places as in the spring, summer and autumn, is further embellished by the ivory flakes, which leave the image of winter purity forever etched on the mind.
The geyser in Jigokudani Valley creates magical natural sculptures with blueish hues of deoxygenated ice.
There are not many places on the planet that can boast as much snow as Japan can. Over 400 ski resorts dotted around the country lay testimony to the quality and amount of snow here – and 2 Winter Olympic Games (Sapporo 1972 and Nagano 1998) says it all!
However that doesn’t mean that non-skiers should stay away until the big thaw – all the temples, karaoke bars, bullet trains, neon signs and zen gardens still await – but with an added layer of something special, and if you come out of season, the welcome is warmer!
The Lesser-Spotted Aussie in an Igloo. Non-endemic to Japan, this species has long been assumed as primarily a warm weather creature feeding off beer and barbecued shrimps. However, research has shown it to be particularly fond of hot spring baths in the snow and a hot sake to warm the core!
There are still 2 more months of snow left – why not come join us in this winter wonderland?! Just make sure you bring an extra sweater and gloves!!
Although Japan in winter offers the lucky traveller a wonderland, this local Shishi shrine guardian could not hide its irritation at being rendered snow blind!
Filed under: Sightseeing, Tours | Tagged: Hokkaido, onsen, sake, Snow, Winter | 3 Comments »
