Autumn in Hokkaido

What's the weather like, you ask?

Hokkaido is the northern-most of Japan's four main islands. Although the islands are all very near eachother, Hokkaido is on a completely different air stream, direct from Siberia. So while my friends in Honshu are wearing sweaters or light jackets, I wear a wool hat and winter coat every day. All October we've used the heater in evenings and early mornings. I take a nasty but effective Chinese medicine to help my circulation. And wear multiple sweaters.

The autumn colors have been spectacular. We have been graced with shades of gold, crimson, firey orange, brilliant red. . . I took the waterfall pic Oct 7, and the shrine gates on Oct 13. And the next two at the end of October.








And oh!, the mountains ringing our valley are all snow-capped. It is breathtaking and, admittedly, intimidating. I know winter is coming very soon, and for a long time. The first snowfall in town was October 12, but nothing serious yet. http://www.snowjapan.com/e/daily/furano-now.php


The trees in our town have been ruthlessly pruned to their trunks. The bushes are wrapped in winter bindings, so they won't break under the impending snowdrifts. Those on the first floor will put plywood against their windows so the piles of snow don't crash through the glass. People have already put snowtires on their cars (required for all vehicles). All kinds of winter goods are for sale, though we don't know what is necessary: shoe-racks for our snowy boots, extra blankets to lay on the floor, foam sealants for every window/door. . .

Last week the yukimushi (snowbugs) visited Furano. Apparently their arrival means we should expect snow very soon.