Without a doubt, Japan is a country that loves it’s seasons. At any time during casual conversation, there’s a 23% chance of a Japanese person suddenly saying, “By the way, did you know that Japan has four distinct seasons? Unlike America, which has only two.” (Apparently these people need to travel outside of Southern California.) Right now it’s winter, time to sit in the kotatsu with the family eating delicious sukiyaki out of a pot in the center of the table, then have some mikan oranges and green tea later. One of my favorite images of winter in Japan are kamakura, traditional igloo-like snow domes which are made as part of winter festivals in the colder parts of Japan, especially Niigata, Akita and Hokkaido. (They’re unrelated to the city of Kamakura, with its beautiful Buddha statue.) With electric lights and kotatsu heaters inside, they’re a great place to enjoy a little hot sake while feeling the cold beauty of the snow all around you.
Kamakura (snow domes) are a great traditional image of winter in Japan.
