Tokyo might not be as bad, but it does snow in most parts of the country in winter. Winter preparations are especially important for me, living in Hokkaido, though I actually heard Aomori is the snowiest city in the world.
With March coming around, spring is finally approaching, which also means winter is finally ending (though snow doesn’t really start to really go away here in Western Hokkaido until April, and I hear in the Eastern parts it isn’t until May!). Thank goodness. Personally, I’ve heard plenty of more horror stories in other parts of Hokkaido, so I think I can consider myself lucky with where I live. Doesn’t mean we don’t get winter, but just seems to be not as bad here. My co-jet is Canadian, and even told me when I first came that it “doesn’t snow too much here”, or doesn’t get that cold, but since I do live by the coast, there is a decent amount of wind. Wild for a Southern California girlie like me. Luckily, I don’t think it’s dipped below -10 degrees Celsius, and even that’s at night. During the days, it usually floats around 0 degrees Celsius.
Anyway here are the ways I survived and warm up during my past 2 winters here!
Indoors
In Japan, or around here at least, we don’t have central heating, so warming up our space requires a different method: filling up a tank with kerosene gas, and burning that for heat. It’s usually placed in the main room; my place is small (in this case good), and my small heater is in the main living area, which is connected to the bedroom. I usually close the door leading to the entrance and bathroom to maximize insulation in the main area. You have to call or go in-person to ask the gas company to refill your tank with gas. My heater can set the temperature, how fast you want it to heat up, has a timer function, and other miscellaneous buttons and settings.
I’ve heard bubble wrap on glass windows is also good for insulating heat inside your home.
This is a no brainer, but invest in some warm and fuzzy pajamas or roomwear (GU has some nice fuzzy ones)! Snuggle up in a robe, or under the blankets.
Speaking of, get some thick blankets! I got a couple thick ones from Amazon. Along the same lines, Nitori (Japanese Ikea), has a line or warm bedding, from sheets, to pillowcases, to blankets, to robes. They’re super fuzzy, and highly reccomend.
Drink some soup, or make some hot tea (or just water if that’s not your thing).
Worst comes to worst, do a workout and get a good sweat on, or take a nice, warm or hot shower.
Outdoors
Layers are important! Especially if it’s super cold outside, wear layers and warm clothing, but don’t overdo it, especially if you get warm easily like I do. I’m wearing even a couple layers and a thick jacket, and the moment I wander indoors for even a few minutes, I get super sweaty and hot.
Part of your layers could consist of an undershirt on top. I heard Uniqlo’s Heattech works like wonders, but if you want a slightly less expensive alternative, try sister brand GU’s version. You can put on a long sleeve shirt or sweater over, and even an additional cardigan if you’re feeling fancy. Most people wear puffy down jackets, but if it’s snowing heavily outside, do consider investing in a thick snow jacket.
For your feet, warm socks are definitely a must, and consider tights for your legs under your pants. I sometimes wear my snow pants over a pair of more casual workout pants when I go out on snowy days, but if I know I’ll be indoors, wearing jeans and walking around is enough for me. Don’t forget your snow boots!
You can try to insulate warmth all you want, but somehow, the cold will still get to you. If you’re particularly cold, you can invest in some kairo, or disposable hand warmers. You can find them all over in drugstores, grocery stores, and convenience stores during winter. There’s two types: ones you can stick on yourself under your clothes, and non-stick ones. Just take them out of the packaging, shake them up, and stick them in a pocket. If you don’t want to keep spending money on disposable ones, you can invest in an electric rechargable one. I got a few off of amazon with different heat settings, and they even act as phone batteries too!
Just need something quick to warm you up, inside and out? You can also stop by a convenience store, and grab a hot drink from the special hot drinks section., or partake in some winter-limited oden (various vegetables or fishcake simmered in a dashi broth).
Staying Safe
Obviously, avoid going out in a snowstorm whenever you can (I’ve had to walk through one to work before, and that’s not fun).
Snow is pretty and all (Hokkaido has some of the best powder snow!), but the real trouble starts when it actually gets sunny. Ironic that nice weather is some of the most dangerous. If the weather gets a bit warmer, the snow starts to melt, yes, but nighttime comes, and it freezes over again. The next day, you’re left with an icy layer all over the street, and with normal shoes, it becomes an almost ice rink. Slipping is quite common, and if you’re unlucky, falling on your butt is a natural next step (it hurts a lot!). To combat this, I recommend getting ice spikes. Some convenience stores will sell them, but I got mine at Mont Bell, an outdoors store. You don’t have to get the fancy big ones, just get the ones meant for putting on sneakers. They really work well, after you get over being the person clacking on normal ground everywhere.
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