Japan

    While I was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA, I traveled to Japan six different times.  Usually we went to the Northern Island of Hokkaido in the winter when it was bitter cold.  I can honestly say, I had never seen snow as deep as I saw it in Chitose (a small town outside of Sapporo) or ever experienced temperatures at -40 degrees Fahrenheit and that was BEFORE the wind chill factor!

    The Island of Hokkaido is home to the city of Sapporo, home of Sapporo Beer and the annual Sapporo Snow and Ice Festival.  I got a change to tour the brewery but have yet to see the Ice Festival since I was usually involved in an exercise at the time the festival was held.