[Aomori Prefecture] Learn about legends surrounding heavy snowfall while facing nature!

From last year to this year, Aomori Prefecture has been hit by heavier-than-usual snowfall. In fact, since around last autumn, people have been saying, "There are a lot of stink bugs, so it might snow heavily," and the prediction has come true! There are also other folktales related to heavy snowfall in Tohoku, and we will introduce some of the most interesting ones. We will also explore the background of how people have come to predict heavy snowfall while dealing with nature.

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If there are a lot of stink bugs, it will snow heavily

From autumn to winter, stink bugs appear inside homes and on windowsills in search of warm places. When there are a large number of them, it is said that this winter will bring heavy snowfall

This phenomenon is closely related to the habits of stink bugs. Stink bugs are sensitive to changes in temperature and have the habit of gathering in warm places before the cold winter arrives. Many people have probably seen large numbers of stink bugs gathering around stoves or window frames. Therefore, it is said that years with a large number of stink bugs will bring heavy snowfall. As proof of this, in 2024, there was a nationwide outbreak of stink bugs, and there were concerns about heavy snowfall, and the entire Japanese archipelago was indeed hit by a severe cold wave

Even in Aomori, there are several stories of heavy snowfall in years when there were a lot of stink bugs. The sight of people saying, "There are a lot of stink bugs this year, so we're sure to get a lot of snow," could be said to be a winter tradition unique to snowy regions. Of course, not all of the scientific evidence has been clarified, but it is an interesting point to observe as a sign of the natural world

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Snow piles up to where the praying mantis eggs were laid

"Snow will pile up to the height where the praying mantis eggs are laid," is also widely known. Praying mantises have a habit of laying their eggs at a safe height to survive the harsh winter cold. Therefore, it is said that if the eggs are laid high, "it will be a harsh winter with heavy snowfall."

In Aomori, some people find praying mantis eggs in their gardens or fields before the snow falls, and prepare for winter, thinking, "This is probably how much snow we'll get this year." In fact, it is said that heavy snowfall often occurs in years when the eggs are found high in the ground, and this legend has been passed down as local wisdom since ancient times. It is an amazing example of nature's predictive powers, and a practical legend that can be used to help prepare for winter life

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If the swans arrive early, there will be heavy snow

The behavior of migratory birds, including swans, is also said to be a sign that heavy snow is imminent. It is said that years in which swans migrate south earlier than usual will see severe cold and heavy snowfall. This is because migratory birds are very sensitive to changes in temperature and the environment

In Aomori Prefecture, there are many areas where swans migrate in winter. In particular, there are many instances where heavy snowfall occurred in years when the swans arrived early. In fact, locals often say, "Whenthe swans arrive early, the snow will arrive early," as they sense the arrival of winter. Considering that the behavior of birds reflects changes in the natural environment, paying attention to their movements is one of the joys of winter.

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If birds build their nests in high places, it will cause heavy snowfall

"When birds build their nests in high places, there will be heavy snowfall," has been passed down for generations in a wide area of ​​Tohoku. Birds are believed to have the ability to predict the weather, and it is thought that they ensure their safety by building their nests in high places in anticipation of heavy snowfall. In Aomori, too, bird nests are often found in high places during snowy winters, and local people have relied on this phenomenon in nature. This saying can be seen as evidence that people living in snowy regions have lived their lives observing the behavior of birds.

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The day after it rains, it snows heavily

There's a saying that if it rains in winter, it will snow heavily or turn into a blizzard the next day. This is especially true if it rains when a cold front moves in, as the temperature drops sharply the following day, often turning into snow or a blizzard. In Aomori, this phenomenon is called " Ame-gaeshi" (rain-returning ), and it's common to see family and neighbors warning each other, " Be careful, it will snow the day after it rains ."

This legend is so closely linked to meteorological phenomena that it is no mere superstition. It is amazing the wisdom of people who relied on these natural signs in an era before weather forecasting became widespread

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summary

Stink bugs, praying mantis eggs, migratory birds, bird nests, and legends about heavy snowfall related to rain are all part of the wisdom of nature observation that has been passed down widely throughout the Tohoku region. By observing these signs, people in the past prepared for the harsh winter

Although we live in an age where we can instantly check the weather on our smartphones, the predictions of these natural phenomena are packed with the wisdom of our ancestors. Why not enjoy observing these mysterious signs of nature along with the heavy snowfall in Aomori?

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