Enjoying the winter townscape

The town of omori is covered by a fresh layer of snow this year. The temperature is in the minus making it a challenge to heat up my house, but the snow is almost like powder sugar. In the US, I spent a majority of my life in NJ, so you can say I’m no novice in the department of snow. Something that I always loved about the fresh snow is how quiet everything becomes. All the usual environmental background sounds are suddenly muffled and insulated by the snow, creating an instant feeling of peace.

The snow sticks to the trees while the mountains get a delicate dusting snow making you feel like you’re inside of a snow globe. Not to mention the sound of fresh snow squeaking underneath your shoes gives you the feeling that you’re walking through an untouched landscape.

One of my favorite things about snow in Omori is walking through the town and seeing the kids running around in pure joy making snowmen, igloos, while others go sledding or have a snowball fight. Although this is a small town of 400, there has been a surprising increase in children in the last 2-3 years. These kids really put life into the winter scenery around town, especially with their colorful and mismatched snow gear that they wear.

By nighttime, there is hardly no sign of life in the town of Omori, yet you can see the footprints of life left on the surface of the snow. It’s such a subtle thing, but it’s always entertaining looking at where the footprints start and end. Some go from one house to another (perhaps saying hi to a neighbor) and others make a little circle by the doorway (probably checking how much snow there is and quickly going back inside). This contrast of life and tranquility and how it comes together with the snow is a little tanoshimi or a little something I look forward for every winter.

For more photos of the snow in Omori, take a look at my WINTER gallery!