Story 05 — Written in Snow
Japan's landscapes, made by snow.
Snow subtracts colour and sound from the landscape. What remains is only line, light and hot spring steam.
Photo: Kpravin2 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
MASHU — Hokkaido
A lake with a white border
When the outer rim is covered in snow, the blue of Lake Mashu looks deeper still. A contrast seen only in winter.
On a snowy day, the world looks as if it has been drawn anew.
Photo: kkawamura / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
SHIRETOKO — Hokkaido
A sea of drift ice
Drift ice gradually fills the winter Sea of Okhotsk. Winter in Shiretoko is the season when the sea turns into a white land.
KUSATSU — Gunma
A town of hot spring steam
On a snowy night, the steam rising from the Yubatake is lit by lamps. A journey made only to soak a chilled body in hot water.
Photo: Aspere / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
Destinations in this story
Places visited in this story
MASHU
Lake MashuHokkaido · Hokkaido
Teshikaga Town, Hokkaido. A lake enclosed by steep caldera walls, with no rivers flowing in or out. Known for its deep blue surface, Kamuishu Island floating in the lake, and frequent fog.
Lakes / Snowscapes / National parks
SHIRETOKO
ShiretokoHokkaido · Hokkaido
The Shiretoko Peninsula at the eastern tip of Hokkaido. Recognised for an ecosystem in which nutrients carried by drift ice link the sea to the forests and mountains, it was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in 2005. The Shiretoko Five Lakes, sheer coastal cliffs and pristine nature home to brown bears and deer remain.
Seas / Forests / Lakes
KUSATSU
Kusatsu OnsenGunma · Kanto
Kusatsu Town, Gunma Prefecture. One of Japan's representative hot spring towns, where steam rises from the Yubatake at the centre of town. Known for its abundant flow of spring water, with ryokan and public baths lined up around the Yubatake.
Hot spring towns / Snowscapes / Highlands
Next Story 06 — Next storyDriving through Hokkaido in summer.Hokkaido Summer Drive →