Winter in Hokkaido always has a kind of magic that makes you want to slow down. On this visit to Obihiro Shrine, the entire shrine was covered in thick white snow. The torii gate, approach, and trees were all dressed in pure white, and the scenery truly looked like a painting.
You can also find the popular "snow fairies" of eastern Hokkaido here—the long-tailed tits. If you're lucky, you may encounter these adorable little creatures in the woods around the shrine.
Although the deep snow on the ground makes walking a little difficult in winter, with your feet sinking into the snow with every step, that's also what makes it feel like you've truly entered Hokkaido's snow country.
Standing before the torii gate in the snow, surrounded by endless white, it was so quiet that all I could hear were my footsteps in the snow... It took some effort, but it was truly worth it.
