[Image1][English/Japanese]Snow is predicted to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, many tourist destinations
[Image2][English/Japanese]Snow is predicted to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, many tourist destinations
[Image3][English/Japanese]Snow is predicted to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, many tourist destinations

[English/Japanese]
Snow is predicted to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, many tourist destinations like Hokkaido are popular for winter sports, but snowfall in Tokyo is relatively rare and the city is not prepared for it. As a result, even a 5 cm accumulation of snow can cause various problems. In this article, I will explain how to cope with snow in Tokyo.

1 Transportation
When it snows, train schedules are often disrupted. Trains may be cancelled or services reduced, so you may be late for work. On snowy days, try to leave home earlier than usual. Roads can also become congested, and few people buy snow tires for such infrequent snowfall. Consequently, many people drive with regular tires on snowy days, which can lead to slipping accidents. Try to avoid walking close to cars on snowy days.

2 The day after it snows
Unlike in Hokkaido, snow that falls in Tokyo has a high moisture content. For that reason, roads are often icy the day after snowfall. With so many buildings in Tokyo, sunlight may not reach some streets and the snow may not melt even after a week. Some people slip on the frozen roads and suffer serious injuries. On the day after snowfall, try to walk along sunlit routes.

3 What to wear
What you wear the next day matters more than what you wear while it is snowing. Roads become very slippery, so wear long boots or other slip-resistant shoes. Also wear gloves because ice can cut your hands if you slip and catch yourself with them. A hat is necessary to protect your head. A backpack or other hands-free bag is also a good idea. If you don’t have boots, a life hack to reduce slipping is to stick adhesive bandages to the soles of your sneakers. Give it a try.

Many students at our school come from warm countries. Some, seeing snow for the first time, have overdone it playing in the snow and caught colds. Enjoy snow play in moderation. This time, we plan to spread a snow-melting agent in front of the dormitory. If neighbors are struggling with shoveling, let’s help them out — it’s also a chance to make friends with Japanese people. Also, it’s best not to go outside too much on snowy days, so finish your shopping as early as possible!

Snow is predicted to fall in Tokyo this week. In Japan, many tourist destinations such as Hokkaido are popular for winter sports, but snowfall in Tokyo is not that common, so the city is not set up to handle snow. Because of that, even just 5 cm of snow can cause various problems. This time, I will tell you how to deal with snow in Tokyo.

1 Transportation
When it snows, train timetables often get disrupted. Trains may be suspended or their frequency reduced, so you might be late for work. On snow days, try to leave home early. Roads can also get congested. Very few people buy snow tires for snowfall that may or may not occur in a year. For that reason, many people drive on ordinary tires on snowy days, and some cause slip accidents. On snowy days, avoid walking close to cars whenever possible.

2 The day after it snows
Snow that falls in Tokyo differs from that in Hokkaido in having a higher water content. Therefore, the day after snowfall, roads are often frozen. Tokyo’s many buildings block sunlight, and snow may not melt even after a week. People sometimes slip on frozen roads and sustain serious injuries. On the day after snow, choose streets with sunlight when you walk.

3 Clothing
What you wear the next day is more important than what you wear while it is snowing. Roads are very slippery, so wear wellingtons or other slip-resistant footwear. Also wear gloves because ice can cut your hands if you fall and use them to brace yourself. A hat is necessary to protect your head. For bags, a backpack or similar hands-free option is best. If you don’t have wellingtons, there’s a life hack: sticking adhesive bandages to the soles of your sneakers makes them less slippery. Try it out.

At our school, many students come from warm countries. For some, seeing snow for the first time led them to play too much and catch colds. Keep snow play moderate. We plan to spread de-icing agent in front of the dormitory this time. If neighbors are having a hard time shoveling snow, let’s help — it’s also an opportunity to become friends with Japanese people. Also, because it’s better not to go out much on snow days, complete your shopping early!

This text has been automatically translated.
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Feb. 15, 2022
Currently, most people are wearing masks because of the coronavirus, but in Japan many people have long worn masks from February to April, so foreign tourists are often surprised. The reason for wearing masks is "hay fever." Especially at this time of year, people allergic to cedar wear masks. Many international students are troubled by hay fever. This time, I will tell you about this hay fever. 1. One in three international students develops hay fever? According to some data, one in three international students develops hay fever for the first time after arriving in Japan. Also, among international students who develop hay fever, those in their third year rank first, followed by first-year students in second place. International students may have no one around them with hay fever in their home country and may not know what hay fever symptoms are like, so at first they may mistakenly think they have a prolonged cold. Unlike a cold, hay fever causes strong runny nose symptoms, itchy eyes, and an itchy nose. If this sounds familiar, first consult a teacher at your school. 2. Hay fever relief products So how do Japanese people get through hay fever season? Most people take prescription or over‑the‑counter medication. Besides medication, many products to relieve hay fever symptoms are sold in stores at this time of year—for example, pollen-blocking glasses and soft, high-quality tissues that won't irritate the nose. Sales of air purifiers also increase at this time. For people who do not have money or who do not have time to go to a hospital, some people find that applying a little petroleum jelly inside the nostrils can help ease symptoms. Also, lack of sleep and alcohol consumption are said to worsen hay fever symptoms. Be careful to maintain a healthy lifestyle. ★Extra: In Tokyo, it is said that one in two people has hay fever. The topic of hay fever is also a chance to become friends with Japanese people. When someone who never had hay fever before gets it, people who have had hay fever for many years are said to say, "Welcome ☺." Please try talking to them!
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Jan. 25, 2022
[English/Japanese] The Tokyo Metropolitan Government decided last week to apply priority measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, and Tokyo residents will refrain from activities for about three weeks. Since 2020, people have increasingly spent their days off at home as "stayhome" because of the new coronavirus. How do Japanese people spend their vacations? Let’s take a look together with aspects of Japanese culture. 1 Games Japanese games became popular worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, games where you build your own room or town and interact with friends, or games that have you run and stretch like in a gym, are especially popular. Board games have also moved online, expanding the possibilities for gaming. With the recent establishment of high schools focusing on e-sports in Japan, it is clear that games are becoming important cultural content. 2 Bath time Japanese people love soaking in the bathtub. Many travel to hot springs during long vacations, and those who gave up travel because of stayhome reportedly buy various bath salts to recreate a holiday feeling at home. As a result, some companies reportedly recorded their highest-ever sales of bath salts last year. Do people in your country use bath salts? I hope you will try them when you come to Japan. 3 Plastic models Have you heard of plastic models? Plastic models are figures made of plastic that you assemble and paint yourself. In Japan they have long been sold as children’s toys, but since the pandemic they have become popular with adults as well as children. Anime plastic models are especially popular. If you visit Japan someday, you might want to buy one as a souvenir. Extras A character became famous during the coronavirus pandemic: Amabie. Amabie has appeared in books for the past 150 years as a yokai that wards off epidemics. Before the coronavirus, Amabie was known only to a few yokai enthusiasts, but after the virus spread its recognition rose mainly through social media, and now most people in Japan know about it. In town you can see many products featuring Amabie’s image. Please try to look for them. Our school also offers online classes. Beyond regular lessons, we provide online yoga, online origami classes, and other enjoyable activities. If you are interested, contact us and we will explain the school via Zoom. Feel free to get in touch. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government decided last week to apply priority measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, and Tokyo residents will refrain from activities for about three weeks. Since 2020, people have increasingly spent their days off at home as "stayhome" because of the new coronavirus. How do Japanese people spend their vacations? Let’s take a look together with aspects of Japanese culture. 1 Games Japanese games became popular worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, games where you build your own room or town and interact with friends, or games that have you run and stretch like in a gym, are especially popular. Board games have also moved online, expanding the possibilities for gaming. With the recent establishment of high schools focusing on e-sports in Japan, it is clear that games are becoming important cultural content. 2 Bath time Japanese people love soaking in the bathtub. Many travel to hot springs during long vacations, and those who gave up travel because of stayhome reportedly buy various bath salts to recreate a holiday feeling at home. As a result, some companies reportedly recorded their highest-ever sales of bath salts last year. Do people in your country use bath salts? I hope you will try them when you come to Japan. 3 Plastic models Have you heard of plastic models? Plastic models are figures made of plastic that you assemble and paint yourself. In Japan they have long been sold as children’s toys, but since the pandemic they have become popular with adults as well as children. Anime plastic models are especially popular. If you visit Japan someday, you might want to buy one as a souvenir. Extras A character became famous during the coronavirus pandemic: Amabie. Amabie has appeared in books for the past 150 years as a yokai that wards off epidemics. Before the coronavirus, Amabie was known only to a few yokai enthusiasts, but after the virus spread its recognition rose mainly through social media, and now most people in Japan know about it. In town you can see many products featuring Amabie’s image. Please try to look for them. Our school also offers online classes. Beyond regular lessons, we provide online yoga, online origami classes, and other enjoyable activities. If you are interested, contact us and we will explain the school via Zoom. Feel free to get in touch.