Things I love about winter in Japan: cozy cafes

While I don't always love living in a snowy area, I love the appearance of snow. I think it makes every landscape look a bit more magical, but I appreciate when I can enjoy it from inside rather than having to be out trudging through it or shoveling it from my driveway area.

My favorite way to enjoy snowy scenery is in the comfort of a cafe, where I can sip on my choice of a warm drink and appreciate the surroundings. Some of my favorite cafes have nice big windows which make it feel bright and airy inside, perfect for the days where it's a bit overcast outside.

I think when you live somewhere as snowy as parts of Niigata, it can be easy to feel a little isolated in the wintertime. I try and get out to a cafe at least a couple of times a week to both get some work done and just enjoy being around other people, even without interacting with them directly. I find it helps a lot with both my productivity and my overall mindset!