[Aomori Prefecture] Introducing legends related to heavy snow that you learn while facing nature!

From last year through this year, Aomori Prefecture has been hit by heavier snowfall than usual. In fact, people have been saying since last fall that "there may be heavy snow because there are a lot of stink bugs ," and the prediction turned out to be spot on! There are also other legends related to heavy snowfall in Tohoku, and we'd like to introduce some of the most interesting ones. We'll also look into the background of how people have come to predict heavy snowfall while facing 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 praying mantis eggs are laid ." Praying mantises have the habit of laying their eggs at a safe height in order to survive the harsh winter cold. Therefore, if the eggs are laid high, it is said that "there will be a harsh winter with a lot of snow."

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

There are many areas in Aomori where swans migrate in winter. In particular, there are many cases where heavy snowfall occurs in years when the swans arrive early. In fact, local people sense the arrival of winter by saying, " Early swans mean early snow ." In fact, considering that the behavior of birds reflects changes in the natural environment, keeping an eye on 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

" years when birds build their nests in high places will see heavy snowfall " that has been passed down across a wide area of ​​Tohoku. Birds are said to have the ability to predict the weather, and by building their nests in high places in anticipation of snowfall, they ensure their safety. In Aomori, bird nests are often found in high places during snowy winters, and local people have come to rely on this natural phenomenon. 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 is a saying that the day after it rains in winter, there will be a blizzard or heavy snow. This is because if it rains when cold air is coming in, the temperature will drop sharply the next day, and it often turns into snow or a blizzard. In Aomori, this phenomenon is called "ame-gaeshi" rain returns and you can see families and neighbors calling out to 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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