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Winter in Japan was probably the season that surprised me the most. Coming from a tropical country, I had never experienced real winter before moving here. I had seen snow in movies and photos, but actually living through cold mornings, freezing winds, and snowy landscapes was a completely different experience. At first, everything felt exciting. Seeing my breath in the air, wearing thick jackets, and watching snow fall for the first time felt unreal. There was something peaceful about looking outside and seeing rooftops covered in white. Of course, winter wasn't always comfortable. Some mornings were so cold that getting out of bed felt like a challenge. The sun set earlier, the air felt dry, and I found myself missing the warmth of home. But over time, I started to appreciate the slower pace that winter seemed to bring. One of my favorite things about winter was how different familiar places looked. Parks, streets, and neighborhoods that I passed every day suddenly felt like entirely new places when covered in snow. Even a simple walk became something memorable.