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Hatsuyuki - First snowfalls reported around Japan
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Hatsuyuki - the first snowfall of the season - has been reported in regions around Japan after an early winter cold spell has begun to pass through the country from the beginning of the month. The cold season, which is marked by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) from October to March, feels like it has officially begun.
On November 1st, Sapporo saw its first snow, three days earlier than last year, but five days later than average. Aomori, Akita, and Nagano reported snow on the 2nd. Mt. Tsurumi on the southern island of Kyushu even saw snowfall on its peak on the 3rd, 24 days ahead of its average.
The JMA lists the following averages for hatsuyuki for some major cities around the country,:
(Roughly north to south)
Sapporo: October 27th
Sendai: November 22nd
Tokyo: January 2nd
Nagoya: December 12th
Osaka: December 26th
Kochi: December 31st
Fukuoka: December 13th
Kagoshima: January 6th
(Okinawa does not generally receive snow, but sleet was recorded on one of its islands on February 17th, 1977)
Travelers or those in the country should start to prepare for wintry weather, particularly when traveling to or living in regions where snow is more prevalent, such as Hokkaido and Tohoku, along the Sea of Japan, or in the mountains.
And while many may find the cold unpleasant, remember that with the snowy weather comes winter fun: sport lovers will enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the mountains; sightseers will find marvelous pictures in snow-covered temples and shrines; and cultural enthusiasts will take pure pleasure in the chance to sit in an outdoor hot spring as snow falls on their heads.
A haiku by the famous Japanese poet Matsuo Masho:
hatsuyukiya / kakekakaritaru / hashinoue
(First snow / falling / on the half-finished bridge. [Translated by Robert Hass])
Read more about Japan by the Japan Travel Examiner
(A Japanese news report of the first snow fall of the season in Sapporo)
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