Winter in Japan

I did a Fall in Japan post and hadn't intended to follow it up with the other seasons but here we are. I rather enjoy expressing my reactions to the seasons in Japan, because I come from a place that only knows 'hot' and 'hotter' for seasons.
Just like in fall, Japan's select winter foods, products, festivals, and clothing are everywhere. Conversations turn to heaters, kotatsus (heated table), nabemono a.k.a nabe (stew) parties, snow festivals, holidays, snowboarding and skiing, crab season, and onsens (hot springs). I've found that when activities become available for a limited time (i.e. snowboarding), it makes the activity that much more fun. Like where I'm from in Miami, we can go to the beach anytime so ironically we hardly do (sorry, that's kind of a misconception for people who don't live in Miami). But in Japan (and other places with proper seasons I suppose), the activities associated with that season become something to look forward to and gives you something to do every weekend. I'm really enjoying that aspect of having real seasons.
These pictures capture most of what I talked about above as well as typical fun in the snow stuff that I never did growing up. All except for the last two snowboarding pictures were taken around my apartment. The Japanese landscape covered in snow, especially in the countryside is breathtaking. I've excluded pictures from my trip to the Sapporo Snow Festival since I dedicated a whole post to that.

Fall in Japan

Before we are any further into winter, I'd like to take a minute to comment on fall in Japan. It is beautiful!! Japan is often remarked as being a country that truly experiences all four seasons. Japan is well aware of this and thus there are many indications of what season you are in when you're in Japan. Seasonal foods, products, festivals, and clothing are just a few of the indicators that would let you know what season you're enjoying.

This was my first time experiencing a real fall season. I could feel the warmth slip from the days and realize I needed to start carrying a jacket around. The first time I had to bring out the heaters had me nervous since it was only November! How will I survive winter?! Anyways, although fall is literally happening everywhere, from the trees at my schools to the mountains in the distance on my ride home, Kyoto is one of the most popular places for autumn leaves (known as koyo in Japanese). The colorful trees are breathtaking enough but coupled with Kyoto's old corridors and ancient temple halls, it becomes a postcard in front of your eyes. See for yourself! I went to Tofukuji, Mt. Takao, Eikando, Shinnyodo, Manshuin, and Enkoji over a span of two days.