Island of Hokkaido
Our
February, 2005
Japanese trip also included a winter experience on Hokkaido, the
northernmost of Japan’s islands, separated geographically from Honshu by
a relatively narrow but exceptionally deep oceanic trench as a result of
the volcanic origin of this archipelago. Far more than distance,
it is weather that separates the two islands, especially in winter as
Hokkaido is influenced by systems pouring out of Siberia. Its
snowfalls, especially on the west coast, can be severe, and the
temperatures while we were there reached minus 13 F. The Japanese
tradition of hot baths quickly became ours as well, and, having cast
aside our clothes for a scrawny “modesty” towel, we frequently headed
for the relief they offered, walking rapidly, once though 10 inches of
newly fallen snow to the bath.
