“One night while I was sleeping, I suddenly woke up to this thunderous crash outside. When I looked out the window, I realized it was a huge chunk of snow sliding off the roof. I’ve heard it’s pretty common in snowy countries, but because the town is usually so quiet, it really startled me!” (Italy/Male)

For people who grew up in places with little to no snowfall, daily life in Hokkaido can come with a few surprises. One of the most memorable is often the sudden “mystery boom” created by falling roof snow.

Newer buildings are designed in ways that help prevent large amounts of snow from sliding off at once, but older houses can still shed heavy snow in one big mass after it accumulates.

This usually happens when temperatures are between -3°C and 3°C. Take extra care when exiting buildings, and be sure to park your car a good distance away from roof edges.

“In Russia, we also get warnings not to leave town if the snowplows can’t get there in time, but I was surprised that in Japan even the smaller, non-main roads get cleared so quickly.” (Russia/Female)

In regions where snow can pile up to a meter high, timely snow removal is crucial for keeping essential services running.

When it snows overnight, fleets of snowplows head out at dawn to clear the roads. The process can be noisy and may disturb some people’s sleep, but it plays an important role in keeping daily life moving safely and smoothly.

As for the snow right outside people’s homes, each household typically handles that on its own, using their own tools and methods.

“Watching the mail carriers and newspaper delivery staff ride their motorbikes on snow-covered roads made me worry about their safety, but I’ve never heard of any accidents. How do they manage it!?” (Indonesia/Female)

Because mail and newspaper delivery involves frequent stopping and starting, motorbikes remain the most practical choice for getting around.

With the help of special tires and chains, they can maneuver safely on icy or snow-packed roads without slipping. Many people picture families riding minibikes in Southeast Asia, but with the right equipment and enough experience, riding in snowy conditions becomes surprisingly manageable.

“In my home country, wearing just a T-shirt is fine most of the year, but in Hokkaido you really need to spend money on things like winter clothes and heaters.” (Philippines/Female)

In northern Japan, even curling up under a blanket isn’t enough to escape the cold. Heating costs become a major part of household expenses, and people need proper winter clothing along with reliable heaters at home.

Bicycles can’t be used during winter, so transportation costs tend to rise a little. Car owners also need to switch to studless winter tires. It’s easy to see why countries with heavy snowfall are often said to be more expensive to live in.

“In Russia, we bundle up with thick coats and gloves to protect ourselves from the cold, but here in Japan, I often see young people wearing short skirts and heels even in the middle of winter. I keep thinking, ‘How are they not freezing!?’” (Russia/Female)

In Japan, many people wear light jerseys in summer and switch to ski wear in winter, but once students reach high school, they often become much more fashion-conscious. The desire to “look stylish in slimmer outfits” has led to a trend of lighter clothing even during the coldest months.

This can be surprising for foreigners living in Hokkaido, and even older residents in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region tend to shake their heads at the younger generation, calling them “Ifurikoki,” meaning people who dress lightly just to show off. By the time they reach about 25, though, most start losing their tolerance for the cold and return to warmer clothing.

For people from warm countries, winter life in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region can feel brutally cold. But what about those who come from places even farther north than Tokyo—or even colder than Hokkaido itself? We asked them how they experience the winter here.

“My wife’s hometown sometimes drops to minus 40 degrees Celsius, so Hokkaido’s winters actually feel warm to me.” (Russia/Male)

Japan’s lowest recorded temperature is –41°C in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, and it has never gone below that. Compared to places that routinely reach –40°C, Hokkaido can indeed feel mild by comparison.

“My country is even farther north than Wakkanai, so we still get snow in May. Hokkaido’s cold doesn’t really bother me.” (Poland/Male)

Poland sits farther north than Wakkanai and is closer in latitude to Russia’s Sakhalin. It’s not unusual to hear the advice: “If you visit Poland in April, bring winter clothes.”

“My Japanese friends are always shocked when I tell them this, but the northern part of my country gets heavy snowstorms every year. We even have ski resorts.” (Israel/Male)

To be honest, I didn’t realize Israel had snowy regions either, but the country is home to the Golan Heights, where you can ski. It’s amazing how many snowy places there are around the world, and it makes you wonder how different each winter experience must be.

Living in Hokkaido as a foreigner might be a bit surprising for some - and for others it's not much of a change. Half a year buried in snow also grants the opportunity to do many activities you can only do in winter, like building snowmen, skiing, and snowboarding.

While we heard stories of foreigners being surprised about Japan as a snowy country, Japanese also get surprised by foreigners going out in a blizzard in only a T-shirt. Talk about a gap in culture!