March/April is the time of The Big Change here in Japan. Elsewhere on the archipelago folk are experience the burgeoning spring, the blossoming of not-cherries that still go by that name, and are reveling in the privilege of dreaming about the coming summer. Here in the Hokk, however, we get a pretty thorough mix of rain, snow, and sleet, backdropped against rather persistent grey skies.

What can be worse for a lot of people is the fact that in just a few short weeks their workplaces shift into completely new mode of operation – owing primarily to the fact that up to half the staff depart, and also due to the outtake/intake of whole year levels of students. For some it can be incredibly trying – especially if you’ve had teachers who you’ve become tied to and who’re moving on – for others, it can be a huge relief and the coming of a second wind. Whichever it is for you, I hope that you take steps to relieve the boredom that can set in over spring break (use some nenkyuu – you don’t always need to have a whirlwind holiday planned to have some well-deserved time off; sometimes just the luxury of being able to take nana naps whenever you like through the day is fabulous holiday enough).

Also…despite the grim warning of the weather for the next month, the wait before summer (forget spring, Hokkaido’s spring = grey), is absolutely worth it; summer comes as a cracker and tries to force all the warmth and colour into those few short months in a REAL display of seasonal change. For now, though, I highly recommend signing up with the HAJET library or Bookmooch if you haven’t yet already, and using this poor excuse for weather to get your read on.

Take care – I’ll be back soon with some advice (and a returners’ guide) for those heading home in July.

Chelle