Oku-Aizu is one of the prominent areas in Japan with heavy snow fall.
Especially from January to February the area is hit by heavy snow.
It often happens that there was over 30 centimeters of snow one night, so when I wake up everything outside is completely changed by thick snow.
Recently, the amount of snow fall has decreased perhaps due to global warming but dealing with the snow is still a big burden for the people.
On a day of heavy snow, it needs to be removed a few times in the daytime alone.
Moreover, shoveling snow off a roof is very dangerous.
In such a situation, the residents are not discouraged and apply themselves to the task.
As for the children, most of them enjoy the severe situation.
Anyway, you can see what is known as living in the snow country there.
Some people may feel it beautiful, including me.
Last year, we had little snow and living was easy but I didn’t feel it quite happy.
However, I was a little relieved because my hometown had quite a lot of snow as usual this winter season.
The Tadami line also struggles with the snow.
Delays and suspensions of the service often happen when it snows heavily.
Between Tadami station and Oshirakawa station, which is the boundary between Fukushima and Niigata prefectures, was almost completely suspended this snow season.
Recently, the Russel snowplow is active in clearing snow, and it makes a splendid path for the train on the railway line.
By the way, the task must have very toughed in old times when there wasn’t such a snowplow.
Although the cost of clearing snow on the Tadami line is very large, they don’t stop the hard work because it is necessary as a means of transport for the local residents.
Snow is a really trouble to the people living in a snow country but there are railway fans admiring snow scenery who come from far away.
I hear a lot of people abroad who live warm in southern countries came to visit to see the Tadami line in the snow world.
The snow scenery must really look like a fantasy world for them.
We often feel the snow is troublesome.
However if there are people who feel the snow is beautiful and come to see it, that will make us feel some a little proud.
The town of Tadami, which is going to be connected next year, is an area of ridiculous snowfall.
They say the snowfall is over 3 meters this year for the first time in six years.
If you have never actually seen snow, why don’t you come to see our town covered with snow and how we live in winter.
Of course, it will be when the coronavirus situation has calmed down.
Then we will have wholeheartedly prepared our winter hospitality.
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