Snow is perhaps not the first thing most people associate with Japan. Even though some corners of the country, especially in the north and northwest are safe snow heavens. In winter, you definitely have to be prepared to be surprised with a big load of the white splendor every year. And that surprise can sometimes turn out quite hefty, you will find witnesses everywhere who report snow masses that you can hardly imagine.
One of these witnesses, who was rather silent but still quite informative, we had met recently. On that day, there was not much of winter to be seen on-site, but where we had just come from, it still looked quite different. Around us we were enjoying the best weather with blue sunshine and everyone was already sure that spring had arrived. But since only a short time before we had seen white everywhere, we knew exactly how snow looks like.
And this praying mantis has probably seen some snow in her life, which she tells us about in her own way. In Japan in autumn, praying mantises are considered harbingers and predictors of how the snow will turn out in the coming winter. The higher they climb, the higher the snow will be. However, I am not sure how accurate this oracle is.
The mantis, which we met on that day, did not want to offer us a prediction, but to point to past times. On the beam on which she sat, there were markings in various places indicating how high the snow once reached here.
The marker directly in front of her refers to the year Heisei 13 ( 平成１３ = 2001), when the snow had reached the height of 2 meters 10. Pretty impressive, but as you'll see in a moment, it gets even better.
At the bottom of the log there is a mark at 75 centimeters from the year Heisei 18 (2006), but you can't really show off with that now. The situation is different at the top end, where there are two markings from the Showa period. The years Showa 58 (昭和５８ = 1983) and Showa 60 (1985) seem to have been record-breaking, with 3 meters 70 and 3 meters 60. There is only one word that comes to my mind: "WOW!".
Fortunately, it doesn't look quite so extreme in our city, although we sometimes get a meter of snow in just one night. And even if we get snowed in from time to time, it's usually not that bad. At least compared to here, in this city on the edge of the mountains.
But I would like to see such snow masses at least once. Two, three or even four meters of snow must be more than impressive. Even if they will probably paralyze the whole life around you for a while and slow everything down.
Since we still have to wait a little until the next snow, I attach a few pictures from past and snowy times. So that we can already start to dream again about the white beauty...
Well then...
If you' re in a hurry now and looking for your bike, you should probably postpone all appointments. You won't get away from here that soon, probably you should rather wait until the snow has melted.
This is how the winter morning sometimes greets us. A white surprise, especially for drivers who are unlikely to get to work on time. And a lot of work for all of us who get a free training session which is replacing the gym. You can't get there that quickly anyway.