For Today’s Japan Photo, we take another look at the heavy snowfall that is covering Japan in blankets of thick snow.

Many firemen and members of the self-defence force have been deployed to help residents who might have been trapped in their houses under snow just like what we see above.

Image Credit: MSN Sankei

It seems like many different regions in the world have been affected by the extreme cold weather. So have you been caught in the heavy snow too?

For Today’s Japan Photo, we visit the annual Asahikawa Winter Festival in Hokkaido to see this awesome snow statue of Optimus Prime from Transfomers. The snow sculpture is 20 meters tall and is a collaboration with TakaraTomy.

Back in Aug 2010, Japan experienced a very hot summer and adult goods store M’s Tower in Akihabara help people battle the heat with their special “chilled pantsu“. If you had been following the news recently, you would know that many countries including Japan are now facing a chilly extended winter. So once again the store has decided to released their latest innovation – warm pantsu to help the ronery otakus battle the chill.

In case you get the wrong idea that the warm pantsu comes straight off the kawaii sales assistant then you might be disappointed because these warm pantsu are being kept warm in the same heater that is used to keep food warm in convenience stores. The sales assistant, however, does help to serve you those warm pantsu that retail 800yen just like anyone would serve you a steam bun. Of course, you can choose your favorite colored shimapan from: Blue Stripes, Pink Stripes and Green Stripes.

Source: AkibaBlog

I’m quite at a loss for words as to anyone who would buy such things. But I would like to find out what one actually does with the warm pantsu – Wear it over your head while you walk home under the snow?

Typically around this time of the year, the Japanese folks are celebrating Setsubun 節分, which is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan.

For Today’s Japan Photo, we will taking a look at the special bean throwing ritual. People try to catch good-luck beans thrown by apprentice geisha during the Setsubun Festival at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto and it is rather special this year because it is done in the freezing snow because Japan is facing heavy snowfall for the past week.

Image Credit: MSN Sankei

For the past few days, Japan has been experience heavy snowfall and in some areas snow has piled up to be even taller than humans. For Today’s Japan Photo, we take a look at the incredible snowfall that has piled up high on both sides of a road in Iiyama, Nagano Prefecture, where the snow depth reached 176 centimeters.

Image Credit: Asashi (Eijiro Morii)

For Today’s Japan Photo, we take a look at this very kawaii photo of two Japanese snow monkeys, a mother and a child sitting together by the side of the hot spring.

Image Credit: Kiyo Photography

The snow monkeys really knows how to enjoy life. Not only do they bath together in the hot springs, it has been documented that they also enjoy rolling snowballs for fun.

I know we have just started the Fall anime season not long ago but here’s a visual compilation of the upcoming anime series in Winter 2011/2012.

Most noteworthy as of now is the new Prince of Tennis anime series that was recently announced, the new Black★Rock Shooter anime series, and the Zero no Tsukaima F (which is the final season of the series). But the one that I’m most looking foward to would be the first movie for Berserk Golden Age Arc I: Egg of the Supreme Ruler (ベルセルク 黄金時代篇I 覇王の卵).

The best part about the sale in addition to the many items on sale is that they are offering 50% off normal FedEx international express shipping rates when you select FedEx as your shipping method between 9am December 1 and 6pm December 15, 2010 (Japan Standard Time; GMT+9).

Just got the emailer yesterday that HLJ is having a sale for its Yamato and Alter goodies.

Currently I’ve set my sights on getting the Creators’ Labo #005 Mine Blue #010 Black Ver. PVC, which is on 40% discount.

This lovely snow scene photo was taken by yocca. The amazing point about this majestic structure is that the top two stories of the pavillion are covered with pure gold leaf, which is why it shines so brightly.

The Golden Pavilion, or Kinkaku, is a three-story building on the grounds of the Rokuon-ji temple complex. The top two stories of the pavilion are covered with pure gold leaf. The pavilion functions as a shariden, housing relics of the Buddha (Buddha’s Ashes). The top floor is built in traditional Chinese cha’an style, also known as zenshu-butsuden-zukuri; and the middle floor in the style of warrior aristocrats, or buke-zukuri. The ground floor is rendered in shinden-zukuri style, reminiscent of the residential style of the Heian imperial aristocracy. The building is often linked or contrasted with Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion Temple), and Shōkoku-ji, which are also located in Kyoto.

The Golden Pavilion is set in a magnificent Japanese strolling garden (kaiyū-shiki). The pond in front of it is called Kyōko-chi (Mirror Pond). There are many islands and stones on the pond that represent the Buddhist creation story.

One thing I always wondered is why he likes to interchange between the Nikon D3 and Canon 5D MK II to create his videos ^^