To hike or hibernate for the winter? The woes of a Hokkaido University student
Heavy winds, low visibility and snow drifts the size of houses. What do you do? Go to that lecture at 8:30 or grab as many blankets as you can and binge watch Dragon Ball? Although the answer might be pretty simple for some university students in Japan, the ones in Hokkaido know there is no such thing as a snow day. Freshman students at Hokkaido University are sometimes amazed to encounter the incredibly snowy weather conditions that face them on their way to class. There is not much else they can do but bundle up, snap a few pictures and share them with the Internet.
We’ve collected some of the best pics taken by Hokkaido’s students this winter. Would you go to class in this weather?
Winter is really tough. Cold weather and snow make travel fairly precarious, and sometimes you have to prioritize your safety over braving the outdoors. Hokkaido has one of the roughest winters in Japan too. Since it’s so far north and fairly mountainous, there is a constant barrage of snow that ends up piling multiple stories high. However, one thing that people from Hokkaido know is “the show must go on.”
While some schools might shut down for a snow day here and there, it’s usually quite rare. On the other hand, university professors expect their students to show up; the education machine doesn’t stop for the fluffy white stuff. But, given the choice between staying in and going outside to this…
▼…what would you choose?
これが大学構内というね。 http://t.co/o4zUlxfbmI
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北海道大学麦茶同好会 (@mugicha_hokudai) January 20, 2015
Students across Japan probably think that Hokkaido University is being too strict, but it’s just business as usual for a Hokkaido winter.
▼Yes, people chose to go to school here.
現在の北海道大学…
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死ぬわ http://t.co/mjYPqSYWds
大地 (@DAI_vanilla) January 20, 2015
北大構内むっちゃ除雪してる。どこ歩いたら良いのかよくわからん。 http://t.co/vWZzVRIfAG
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しらむ。 (@siramu1994) January 17, 2015
センター試験会場の北海道大学の現在です。 http://t.co/r0u8b4uT35
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フラウたそ (@11_kazu8) January 17, 2015
Perhaps the craziest photos come courtesy of their pristine ice skating rinks just outside their buildings of higher learning. Sorry, did we say ice skating rinks? Those are just parking lots and sidewalks.
今日の北大。スケート好きな方、どうぞおいでください。 http://t.co/ZMYetVmbOV
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外野席 (@am_peanut) January 14, 2015
Possibly due to a byproduct of Japan’s “amazing” snow removal process, parking lots and walking paths turn into icy nightmares.
▼Put some salt down…
ジンパも出来るしスケートも(強制的に)できる北大は最高ですね！ http://t.co/Nh7CsHVMZu
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みつ (@fuwamosa) January 06, 2015
▼Each Hokkaido University acceptance letter comes with a pair of ice skates.
スケートくらいはできる@北大図書館前 http://t.co/w2kqIHOboS
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誠実な天然パーマ (@ebizo_ebitter) December 21, 2014
Some of our RocketNews24 readers who went to school in snowy regions probably understand this situation exactly. No matter how bad things get, heavy snow is just a standard part of winter. You get your butt to class, or you start falling behind.
あなたにはわからないでしょうね。北大生はこんな通学路を1限レリゴーしなきゃいけないんですよ。
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なーにがアナと雪の女王だよ！！ありのままで生活してたら留年ですよ！！ http://t.co/xLQlr4inbp
野々村竜太郎のクソコラ集w((((*ﾉД (@nonomura_kskr) December 24, 2014
Not everyone who goes to Hokkaido University is a certified winter warrior, and there is a running joke that students who skip class are actually “hibernating.” Sounds a whole lot nicer than calling them “lazy class skippers,” but after seeing some of these pictures, could you actually make it to class?
Source: Naver Matome
Top Image: Flickr ( Ernesto Huang )
