WHAT TO EXPECT IN IWATE

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Winter is on the colder/snowier side

Hot and humid summer

Beautiful spring and fall

Breathtaking nature and delicious produce

Iwate is one of the largest prefectures in Japan, second only to Hokkaido. For reference, Iwate is larger than Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa prefectures all put together!

During the winter, Iwate has some of the coldest areas on Japan's main island. The amount of snowfall per year varies depending on the area, but it would be wise to have snow boots by late November. Similar to the rest of Japan, summer is hot and humid, although less so than areas such as Tokyo or Kansai. Fall and spring are quite short, although the temperature is comfortable and the fall colors and cherry blossoms are beautiful.

Some of you will experience your first ever snowfall here in Iwate, so here are some things to be aware of.

If you plan on traveling or being away from the house for an extended period of time, be sure to drain your pipes before you leave to prevent them from freezing.

Central heating is not widespread in Japan, so many people use kerosene powered heaters in the winter or wall-mounted air conditioning units to heat their home. If you use a kerosene heater, it is important not to leave it on at night since you might die of carbon monoxide poisoning or it could catch on fire. However, this concern is not present if you use the wall-mounted AC, although leaving it on every night will become costly. If you are used to central heating, it may still be too cold in your home, so make sure to invest in warm clothing and dress in layers. Definitely budget extra time for getting out of bed in the morning!

As for the summer, many of the yearly typhoons Japan experiences tend not to directly hit the prefecture. Air conditioning is all but a necessity to beat the heat here, and you might need to buy some extra things such as a sun umbrella or neck fan to cool down. Iwate has a few nice beaches to enjoy along the coastline during the summer, and hiking is also quite popular here.