As expected, a big snowstorm is hitting Tokyo right now.

On my way to work, it had just started to snow, but as I was teaching my first class, the snowfall increased by the minute. My school then decided to close up early, making everyone leave by 3 PM. As I left the building, it still looked fine, just a bit of snow on the sidewalks.

For once, even Tokyo looked pretty. This is a park midtown:

By the time I got home, there were more than 10cm on the ground.

It always amazes me how badly people here in Tokyo handle a little bit of the white stuff. Even though this was forecast for a while, roads remain untreated until it’s too late. Sidewalks become treacherous as not everyone owns a snow shovel (and they sell out as soon as there is snowfall here.) A bit of salt and snow wouldn’t accumulate this much! There are hardly any snowplows visible on the big streets, trains stop or reduce their volume, flights are canceled and chaos ensues on highways. What is more understandable is that people don’t know how to walk on snow, though it’s less understandable that some still insist on wearing heels or pumps in this kind of weather…

As I watch the news, there are reports of some injuries, but mainly, reporters seem to be amazed at all the snow and the ensuing chaos. There was a segment that tried to teach viewers how to walk on snow. “Take small steps, walk like a penguin.” A reporter even demonstrated a kind of waddle that is supposed to keep you from slipping. Oh dear…!

The view from my window a few hours ago

By now, there’s much more than this.

Snowfall is expected to continue until midnight at temperatures around freezing. Let’s see what awaits me tomorrow during my morning commute to work…