White Out

My Town

The cold comes and I feel it in the bones. The bite creeps deep and is accompanied by a shiver. I know then it will be harsh months ahead just like all the other years I’ve spent in Japan. This is different from how life was in San Diego. In southern California the local populace has a distorted idea of what winter is because of the lack of severe changes in temperature. I was once like that. But I learned. I don’t like winter. Not now, not ever. Yet there is one thing that makes it all worthwhile. And that is the snow.

Sakahogi, my town

Local shrine

Frosty leaves

A bend

Winter Fall

Takayama

An image can deceive. These here appear to be pictures of a winter wonderland, but the snow soon melted. This is the case where I live. What snow falls during the night is gone the next by noon. To get the real snow I need to go elsewhere. And one such trip was to Takayama City and the nearby historical village of Shirakawa-go.

Cold river

Another shrine

Kid's play

Statue

Blue Heron

View of Shirakawa-go

Old style houses

Traditional village

Gujo Hachiman

Elsewhere in the town of Gujo Hachiman the snow caked the streets in white after I arrived by train. It was difficult to work my way along the sidewalks. The residents spilled outside to shovel a path to their front door. I went here and there taking photos, this a town I have always liked regardless of the season.

Sweep away friend

Gujo river

Famous backstreet

Snow falling

Gujo Hachiman Castle

From the tower

Umbrella ladies

Ishikawa

Yet further north, during a visit to Ishikawa Prefecture, I stayed with my friend Ryota. I had the opportunity to take pictures in the area, including at Kenroku Garden, one of Japan’s most famous. The snows are more plentiful on that side of the country which is along the Sea of Japan. 

School on a Saturday

Noto Line

Tracks

Snowy rice fields

Another heron

Kenroku Gardens

Ryota and Mi-chan

Kanazawa Castle

Tea House

Tea Street

Golden wall

It's now mid February. The worst of winter is drawing to an end. Then in another month or so Spring will arrive. That wont bring warm days right away, but it's a start. I'll have survived another season of cold.