Japan Day 6: Still Snowing.

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When we were planning our trip to Japan both Roger and I bought new walking shoes and I spent some time applying multiple layers of waterproofing in anticipation of rain in Japan. I didn't even think about the possibility of snowSnow blanketed the outside world when I peeked out my window in the morning.


It was all very exciting but also intimidatingly cold so I was in no hurry to go out to test my haphazard winter wardrobe. After a morning lolling about attending to mundane tasks I eventually stepped out the door to see the sights of Karuizawa in the snow.

It was beautiful. 


I ambled happily along the streets towards Komoba pond, quickly learning to use my new umbrella to prevent trees dropping lumps of snow on my head. I wasn't the only person out to see the snowy pond, but most of them elected to see it from behind the large double-glazed windows of the nearby Cafe. A motley collection of us less cafe-oriented mortals paddled around in the snow, taking photographs and scaring ducks.


I walked around the pond, following the footsteps of someone who had done so earlier.  There was no one else around: just me and the snow and the ducks.



Looping through the snowy suburbs beyond the pond, I found Hon-Dori/Ginza St, the main street lined with arcades and  little shops ranging from the endearingly local greengrocer to outlets blatantly targeting the tourist market. I joined the crowds ambling happily up and down the street, jumping out of the way of whatever vehicles had the hide to intrude.




Public phone booth.

Women at work: Green supervising Black, who was leaning out of an upstairs window to push snow off the roof.

Eventually I ended up back at the railway station which was rather grand with two curved staircases sweeping up to the main floor, completed by a stained glass window in the foyer.


Looking back up Ginza St from the top of the staircase.

By the time I had finished wandering the weather had decided to do something but couldn't decide on snow or rain, so I went back to my cosy room and attempted to make myself a nice cup of tea which is actually quite difficult to do in Japan.

But that's a story for another day.

Just one more snowy forest photo.



















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