This article originally featured in the December 2019 issue of of Connect.
Hoong Shao Ting (Nagano)
While delicate snow crystals float down gently, I want to be soaking in an outdoor bath with a view of a quiet snowscape. Coming from Singapore which sits just 1 degree away from the equator, I’m excited for my first snowy winter in the prefecture that boasts some of Japan’s best ski resorts, and also looking forward to the poka poka (the Japanese onomatopoeia for ‘warm’) goodness of a warm bath on a chilly day.
Although winter may seem long and cold, it stretches across the cheery year-end and new year festive seasons while offering interesting sights such as the Omega Sun, and the arrival of winter birds like Red-Crowned Cranes.
This month, we take a look at some of our contributors’ experiences spending the holidays in Japan, as well as visiting the world-famous Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Do also check out the January 2019 issue for the previous CONNECT team’s articles on illuminations in Kyoto and winter in Kobe, followed by the April 2019 article about the Tokamachi Snow Festival for extra travel inspiration!
But first, here’s what Hannah and Catrina got up to in previous winters . . .
