For the past 9 years, I’ve really enjoyed the mild winters in Japan.  Even when it’s cold it’s not TOO cold, and when it snows the snow doesn’t stick for very long.  Before moving to Japan I was used to really harsh winters.  Chicago is well known for its extreme weather, especially its winters.  Temperatures regularly plummet into the negative – today it is -23 degrees Celsius – and it snows…a lot.  

Snow is very pretty and it’s a lot of fun to play in, but regular snow can be a real pain.  Shoveling snow is hard work, especially when you have a long driveway and an alley.  And there are times when you shovel but by the time you’re done, more snow has fallen and you have to start all over again.  It’s hard to keep up!  It is also difficult when you have to drive to work in fresh snow.  Though in Chicago many people are accustomed to driving in snow, conditions can still be quite dangerous.  

Of course, I only experience Chicago weather through photos that friends and family post on social media pages, but the photos are enough to convince me to never visit my beloved hometown in the winter (summer, while quite hot and humid, is a much better time to visit).  Here’s one that my father sent me today.  This picture was taken from the front porch of the house that I grew up in.