Let's start with winter snow. Although over January and February there were occasional snow falls, these beautiful flowers that my neighbour has never died. They seemed to thrive in the snowy cold weather. I didn't mind the snow I experienced in Japan. My experience of the Japanese winter differed greatly from my experiences with the harsh and freezing Canadian winters. The only time i cursed the snow was when i had decided to drag myself out of bed to go to the gym before work. Before fully waking up, i would always pull back my curtain to check if going is actually a realistic option. Sometimes, i would open the curtain and be faced with huge snowflakes falling from the sky. This would be fine to normal people with cars, but when your bike is your only mode of transportation, snow is evil. But i can officially and finally say, WINTER is over. Now the rain is my only obstacle from physical activity.
The shrine at the technical university close to me.
Meena and myself at Karaoke. We went to a new place called 'Big Echo'. Good times, but my Nova friends were dearly missed. Songs and lyrics threw me back in time.
We also went to a Fire Festival in Katsuyama, a town 40 minutes from my city. We went too early for the large fire aspect, but got to see some traditional 'Taiko' drumming, and singing. That day was super snowy, and there were many the wet feet walking around. We bought umbrellas just to stay dry. We also ate delishious and fatty crepes, yum!
Japanese people are very serious about New Years traditions. They always put up good luck charms on there doors or garages to ward off evil spirts etc. BUT they can't just throw them away after, Or reuse them the next year. The decorations must always be burned in a spiritual way. Hence the matsuri festival. The picture below is a man adding his stuff to the big pile that will be in flames later on that night. 
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