Since most of our family visits to Japan over the past 12 years have been in the Spring, I took the opportunity wherever possible to expose my daughter to snowy landscapes. One of the great joys of these excursions has been the increased chance of meeting Thai visitors. They have been a big part of making our trips to Gala Yuzawa so pleasurable. They were also well represented on the thawing Goshikinuma hiking routes in Urabandai.