Ask The Expert
by Lillian Seiler
How common are kotatsu and are they as comfortable as they look? Kotatsu are definitely common here! All the depictions of kotatsu in anime and pop culture are fortunately accurate. They’re dangerously comfortable, and you most likely will fall asleep under them easily as it swallows you in toasty, fluffy warmness.
Since you’re from a warmer climate, was it an adjustment getting used to winter in Japan? Definitely. I personally love cold weather, but I wasn’t ready for the fact there are a lot of places here without central heating. Also, for the first time in my life, I had to figure out how to defrost my car windows as I scramble to make it to work in the morning. I’m able to withstand the cold relatively easily now, but I’m still struggling with the fact that Japan doesn’t participate in daylight savings time. Having the sun completely set around 5pm in the winter is something I’ll never get used to, I think. However, the snow and winter views here are magnificent.
What seasonal foods are available during the winter? During winter, it’s hot pot season! Nabe, sukiyaki, and shabushabu are frequently eaten in Japan to help people warm up against cold temperatures. Oden is another popular Japanese winter food-- A lot of people seem to love it. My personal favorite is sukiyaki. Cafes also become quite a hotspot as they sport delicious seasonal drinks like gingerbread, cinnamon, and eggnog lattes.
What is there to do in Japan during the winter? Winter illuminations, relaxing in onsen, and basking in the snow are a few of my favorite things. You can also check out Christmas markets and events in bigger cities. I love to snowboard, ice skate, and go strawberry picking as well. The days may be colder and darker, but there’s a lot of fun things to do to brighten your surroundings.
What winter holidays/ festivals are celebrated in Japan? Christmas, New Years, and Valentines Day are all celebrated in Japan. It seems New Years and Valentines Day are the bigger ones here, and Christmas is seen as a couples holiday where you eat KFC chicken and expensive cake. As for festivals, there are plenty of snow festivals around the northern parts of Japan. A couple I recommend so far are the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Otaru Lantern Festival in Hokkaido!
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STAY JAPAN Winter 2020-2021
About Lilly Hey, I’m Lillian. I’ve been living in Japan for over 4 years, and I’m excited to share my knowledge and experiences with those who are curious about life and travel in Japan. I’m here to give you the inside scoop and answer your questions in as much detail as possible. See you when you come STAY JAPAN!
