 Japanese schools do not warm their hallways and some classrooms and offices.  Depending on the age of your home, it may not be insulated.

 2007  18 th November  2008  18 th November  2009  1 st November, but then it melted and came back in December  2010  16 th December 18 th November, th November, 2007

 Layers  Try to wear clothes that can be removed or added to easily.  Heat packs 懐炉 (kairo)  In pocket or stuck to your clothes  Boots  Waterproof  High Traction  Jacket  Put it on before you step outside of the warmth. This way you don’t have to warm the jacket.

 Kotatsu  Try not to sleep under it  Kerosene Heaters  Open a window  Radiating Heater  Try not to set fire to things  Air Conditioner Can be expensive  Heated Floor Rug  Humidifier

 Jerry Cans (containers to store kerosene)  You must use the red colored Jerry Can if you want to put kerosene in it.  Self Pick-up  You can take a jerry can to a gasoline stand and buy kerosene similar to how you fill up your car.  Delivery  Many people choose to have their kerosene delivered. Ask your teachers to find out who delivers in your area.  From the Jerry Can to the Heater  Funnel  Hand pumps  Battery operated pumps (recommended )

 Movie

 Insulation  Special bubble wrap can be bought and stuck on your windows.  Try to only heat the rooms that you want to use.  It is easier and cheaper to heat only a couple of rooms.  Body Heat  Two is better than one!

 Shoveling  Road Heating  Road Sprinklers  Salt  Grading  Snow Spitters

 The big one  This slides really easily over snow and is great for moving big amounts of snow.  The curved plastic one on a long pole  This is good for smaller amounts of snow and for cleaning under your car.  The metal shovel  This is heavy but good for if you are trying to lift ice or break up snow that is blocking your drain.  The pick axe  This is for when you haven’t cleared your snow properly and it has turned to ice that you want to move.  If the snow sticks  If the snow sticks to the shovel, spray wax on the shovel, like on a snowboard or skis.

 Gardens  Most trees in gardens will either be boarded over, or have supports under the branches so they do not break under the weight of the snow.  Houses  Many people also board up the weaker points on their houses to protect against the snow.  Some people board up their verandah so that they can still use the area.  Roof  Many people also shovel the snow off the roof of their house. This is because the weight of the snow can cause it to collapse. Every year many people die from falling off their roof. Please check if you are allowed to / have to shovel your roof, or if it is taken care of for you.

 Get a snow brush  This is inexpensive and can be bought from most hardware / home improvement or car parts shops. You will need to brush snow off your car before you can drive.  Change to winter wipers  This is pretty easy to do yourself. Regular wipers tend to freeze and not work well with snow. You must have snow tires on your car before the snow starts! Take your snow tires to a gasoline stand or a car parts shop. They will generally change your tires for around 2000yen. Check all of your tires before you leave! Your winter tires will have ‘Studless’ written on the side. Chains are an option/requirement in some places. You have to drive slowly with chains and can not use them in most areas. 4WD Use 4WD in the snow, if you have it. It does not mean you can drive any less carefully or any faster, it is just easier to maintain traction.

 Traction  Ice  Wheel ridges  High snow  4WD  Snow tires  Chains  Visibility  Falling Snow  Snow lifted by other traffic  Snow wipers  Demister

 Rice fields  When a rice field is filled with snow, it can be hard to tell where the road ends and the rice field begins. Be aware of your surroundings so you don’t drive your car in.  Drains  Many people leave drains open in winter. For the unsuspecting person, these are waiting to gobble you up with no warning.  Slippery roads  Often look wet, but are more often camouflaged and look no different to usual.

 Festivals  Snow festivals are held in most regions of Yamagata and there is also the big one in Sapporo.  Buy a plastic sled  Build snow men  Make snow angels  Have a snowball fight

 Mt Zao  Yamagata’s biggest ski resort and home to the Snow Monsters  Take a bus from Yamagata Station  Jangle Jungle  Free bus from Sakuranbo Higashine Station  Local Hills  These hills may be small, but are great to learn on and are usually cheaper than the big resorts  Discounts  Often available if you purchase season passes before the season starts.  Coupons are also available at many fast food outlets.  Warning  DO NOT take your students Snowboarding or Skiing!!  For resort info check out