Hokkaido and Okinawa

Talking of the features of Japanese weather, People generally mention the noticeable change of four seasons, the rainy season, humid and typhoon. However, are these statements enough to show the features of Japanese weather? Japanese Island ranges north and south. So Hokkaido in the north and Okinawa in the south have different features in many respects though they are located on the same country.

Hokkaido is the largest and northernmost of Japanese 47 prefectures. In addition, it is surrounded with two sea and the ocean, the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean. Its weather in summer is cool and less humid, so it is easy to spend. On the other hand, in winter it is terribly cold and has a lot of snow. Hokkaido is not influenced by the rainy season and typhoon. Houses of Hokkaido are composed to suit these features of weather, especially to shut out the cold. The roof is steep so that snow will not accumulate. A tiled roof is not used. The window is double structure so as to keep indoor heat. Not only the window but also the entrance is double. But this has a fault that it becomes humid in summer. A chimney is fitted for a heater. Moreover, recently the whole house has central heating and they can spend warmly all the day. Hokkaido is popular sightseeing spot. Hokkaido is very large, so we can enjoy vast natural landscape that we usually cannot see. Needless to say, there are a lot of delicious food such as fresh seafood and ramen. And also there are many famous souvenirs such as “jyagapokkuru” and “shiroi koibito”. So, we can enjoy to the very end.

Okinawa is the southernmost of Japanese 47 prefectures. Okinawa consists of about 160 islands. It is a very warm place observed above 20 degrees on annual average temperature. The temperature in summer makes no difference between Okinawa and the main island except the northeastern area, but one in summer makes a great difference, winter is not so cold in Okinawa. Winter is not so cold in Okinawa. Okinawa has a climate that it is easy for typhoon to approach. Like Hokkaido, houses of Okinawa are built to suit these features of weather. The structure of house in Okinawa is a wooden one-storied house. The roof is low and the house is surrounded with stone walls. All of these are measures against typhoon. In addition, the door is side to be airy and spend cool in hot summer. Okinawa is as popular spot as Hokkaido. Okinawa has such a beautiful sea and beach that we cannot believe they are Japanese. So we can appreciate feeling of resort. And also we can experience marine sports at beautiful sea. Okinawa has a history “Ryukyu”. We can visit “Shuri Castle” of Ryukyu and feel the history and intercultural.

As I have said, there are many differences between Hokkaido and Okinawa though both are in Japan. Both of two each has good points in each respect. Hokkaido and Okinawa are usually compared about which prefecture you want to go more. So if you could not decide which to go, you should compare them from every respect and find more suitable place for you.