yuka Kanazawa is on the coast of the Sea of Japan.
When I say, “Winter here is cold and snowy,” many people from overseas reply, “Well, but it’s not like Hokkaido, right? Kanazawa is much further south.”
That’s true when it comes to temperature. Kanazawa is warmer than Hokkaido. But Hokuriku area (Niigata, Toyama, and Ishikawa) is actually one of the snowiest regions in the world. And the snow here is quite different. Unlike the light, powdery snow in Hokkaido, Hokuriku snow is wet and heavy.
A few days ago, we got 60 centimeters of snow overnight. Shoveling snow was so tough. I had to dig my car out. It was totally buried. At this point, snow shoveling is basically my gym. A free winter workout.
Since I was born and raised in a snowy area, I never had good feelings about snow. The only upside was skiing. It was the only fun thing to do in winter. My dad was crazy about skiing and very good at it, so he often took me to ski resorts. Thanks to him, I became a decent skier.
Still, my overall perception of snow had always been negative.
That changed after I started guiding. Every guest I’ve guided has told me how beautiful Kanazawa looks in the snow. They were amazed by the scenery and genuinely enjoyed being here in winter.
Thanks to my guests, now I realized that snow is also a blessing from nature.
If you visit Kanazawa in winter, you may experience a quiet, calm snowy landscape. You will have another big plus. There are no crowds. Winter is the low season, so you can enjoy sightseeing with plenty of time and space.
And if you want to help me shovel snow. You’re always very welcome! Let’s workout together.