Winter is long and harsh in Agematsu and the Kiso Valley. As winter comes to close here, I reflect a little bit on the season that was. This is my sixth year here in Agematsu and sixth winter. Growing up on the coast of New England I was used to cold and snowy winters. Getting used to the cold here was a bit of a challenge. One big difference in Japan is that houses and buildings are almost as cold as the outside. To keep warm, you of course bundle up for starters, but houses and other buildings are heated with kerosene. Unfortunately almost as soon as you shut off the heater, the room quickly cools. In homes however, the kotatsu is a spot to gather or hang out. The kotatsu is a table that has a blanket that surrounds the table, and under the table itself is a heater that is attached to it. It is the ultimate place to read a book, play a game, watch movies or just snuggle into with a cup of tea or cocoa on a cold winter day. This year’s winter was warm for the most part, with the coldest temperatures reaching around -15°C (~5°F) but keeping an average of around -2°C (~28°F) during the middle of the season.

Snowy day from my porch

It does snow quite often in Kiso, but with the warm season we didn’t get much this year. In New England, the snow alongside the ocean is beautiful, but here in Kiso the snow in the mountains creates another beautiful atmosphere. We did get hit with a couple big storms creating picturesque scenery. Here are two pictures from my junior high school.

Tree by the entrance way

Snowy campus

With the narrow valley, the snow collects alongside the mountains creating some of Kiso’s most beautiful vistas. I recommend Kiso in the winter time for the winter sports types or just for those looking for a peaceful, quiet and beautiful getaway. Come during the snow!

Taro-chan, the town’s mascot, as a sumo wrestler at the snow candle festival in Agematsu. 

Winter is one of my favorite seasons and I thoroughly enjoy spending it here in town. I enjoy brisk morning runs, the look of the snow as it covers the mountains, drinking a cup of cocoa while relaxing, hanging out in my kotatsu, and the occasional trip to a ski resort. This year’s winter was no exception despite the warmer temperatures.

気温はだんだん上がっていくと冬の気配が少しずつ消えてしまう。春が来ている。この季節の間で私が今年の冬を振り返る。私の出身はアメリカのニューイングランド（東北の６つの州）です。緯度は北海度と同じくらいくらいでとても寒くて雪が多いところなんです。もう十分慣れていると思ったんだけど、木曽もニューイングランドのように寒いし、雪もあるんだけど、アメリカと違って、外に限らず、どこに行っても寒いです。アメリカの場合はセントラルヒーティングという家中や建物中に温かい空気を運ぶ機会なのです。日本の場合は温かい服装、灯油のストーブとこたつなんです。しかも木曽の寒さは非常に厳しいし、太陽のあたりもとても少ないです。一番最初の冬はとても大変でしたが６年目になってだいぶ慣れてきた。
今年冬は毎年とちょっと違って比較的に暖かかった。一番寒い日は−１５°くらいけど平均は−２°くらい。

普段雪はけっこう降るんだけど今年はやっぱり温かかったので雪の量も少なかった。でも、木曽の雪景色は非常にきれいと思います。ニューイングランドの海岸にある景色もとてもきれいで、木曽の山の景色は負けないように本当に魅力的です。狭い谷ということで雪が積もるとき風景は真っ白くなる。今年、２つの大雪くらいが降ってきて、中学校の校舎が輝く。美しい。その景色の写真２枚を載せます。

冬は本気で好きなのでここで過ごすのはとても嬉しい。早朝のさわやかな走り、山の雪景色、あったかいココアを飲むこと、こたつ生活、たまにスキー場に行く、今年温かかっても充実した冬を過ごした。

-スティーブ