On Japanese Winter...

New York Times is even talking about it:

Japan's Hardy Snow Country Now Faces a Test of Time

I am glad we don't live near the area mentioned in the article (it's up parallel to Tokyo, far west), but we did get a glimpse* of the harsher snowfall this weekend as we journeyed north almost up to the Sea of Japan, cruising at 10 kilometers per hour - about 6 mph - through curvy,snow-covered mountains for a good chunk of the drive. It seems we're just a hair south of the major snowfall and I can't say I mind that. It's cold, but it could be worse.

*Should be noted that even the snow we saw was only 2-3 feet in most places. Not even close to the stuff in the article.