Sometimes life in Toyokoro feels like stepping back in time.
Winter may not officially arrive until the solstice, but it has been visiting Toyokoro.
The sun set half an hour ago, although it still rises before 6 a.m. in the morning.
Hokkaido is known for not having a rainy season, except for this year.
I landed on Hokkaido July 3 knowing exactly two words of Japanese.