That’s true!, in rural areas, tall buildings are often hotels.
In many countryside towns, hotels end up serving multiple roles: they host conference rooms, concert halls, and community events, effectively functioning as essential local infrastructure. My mother’s hometown, Shizukuishi in Iwate Prefecture, was exactly like that.
Yeah, until I came here I never went to a hotel for a coffee event, a moss-ball making event, a NZ-themed event, or a wedding in a hotel chapel for that matter. Hotels have a huge community role to play here, I hadn’t really thought about it before!
Sitting in my little A/C cooled house in Australia, with 47C outside on the verandah, I have my annual realisation that I truly miss ‘proper’ snow while viewing your images. I can feel the numbness and pain of frozen feet and fingers in my mind, but it is the pure whiteness that I miss most.
One of the few mountains we failed to climb was this time last year where we decided to not bother with snow shoes and hit a spot with a a lot of soft snow on a steep hillside. There was no way to go up because you were waist deep in snow but not touching the rocks/earth. Would have been quite doable with snowshoes though
Yeah, you need the right gear for snow. That was the right decision. Also, as I have since learned, you need the right snowshoes! You also need a lot of people too, this mountain (below) we had five people and it wasn't enough. We got too tired.
Interesting how hotels become the default landmark in rural Japan. That sore thumb observation rings true, they really do stand out against everything else especially in winter when the landscape flattens into white. Reminds me of how certain buildings in small towns backhome always end up being visual anchors even when theyre not particularly special.
Your picture from Sakata Station is similar to one I took from my hotel in Shibata during Winter Break, though with a “Media Max” along with the eaterys.
I love Japan in the snow.
It's great when you don't have to (or can't be bothered) clearing it!
in someone else's photo... :) especially when it's several foot deep.
That goes without saying.
That’s true!, in rural areas, tall buildings are often hotels.
In many countryside towns, hotels end up serving multiple roles: they host conference rooms, concert halls, and community events, effectively functioning as essential local infrastructure. My mother’s hometown, Shizukuishi in Iwate Prefecture, was exactly like that.
Yeah, until I came here I never went to a hotel for a coffee event, a moss-ball making event, a NZ-themed event, or a wedding in a hotel chapel for that matter. Hotels have a huge community role to play here, I hadn’t really thought about it before!
Sitting in my little A/C cooled house in Australia, with 47C outside on the verandah, I have my annual realisation that I truly miss ‘proper’ snow while viewing your images. I can feel the numbness and pain of frozen feet and fingers in my mind, but it is the pure whiteness that I miss most.
You know, I’m going to Australia next week… feel like a fraud. 47C is insane. Glad you got some enjoyment from the photos!
One of the few mountains we failed to climb was this time last year where we decided to not bother with snow shoes and hit a spot with a a lot of soft snow on a steep hillside. There was no way to go up because you were waist deep in snow but not touching the rocks/earth. Would have been quite doable with snowshoes though
Yeah, you need the right gear for snow. That was the right decision. Also, as I have since learned, you need the right snowshoes! You also need a lot of people too, this mountain (below) we had five people and it wasn't enough. We got too tired.
I have a feeling I shared this with you already, but here's how NOT to climb a mountain in winter: https://timbunting.com/mountains/shirotaro/
Interesting how hotels become the default landmark in rural Japan. That sore thumb observation rings true, they really do stand out against everything else especially in winter when the landscape flattens into white. Reminds me of how certain buildings in small towns backhome always end up being visual anchors even when theyre not particularly special.
Oh, that's a great point! The buildings that stick around, for better or worse!
Your picture from Sakata Station is similar to one I took from my hotel in Shibata during Winter Break, though with a “Media Max” along with the eaterys.
There’s a GEO in the other photo! See if you can spot it!