Tsunan Town, Niigata Prefecture, is said to have the world's largest snowfall in an inhabited area. This is a record of my daily life in such a town.

On 29 October 2023, young people from the community brought their mowers and headed towards the mountains.

The aim is to collect 'thatch'.

The thatch collected is used for an annual event called 'Juniko', which takes place on 12 February.

十二講とは山の神様に感謝し、これから山に入る儀式のことだそう。（私が住むこの集落は「十二講」と一緒に松焼きやドウラクジンも一緒に行われています。）

With the huge flames that rise every year, we are often mistaken for a fire and have to call the fire brigade...

The thatch seemed a little short this year, perhaps because of the heat wave, but at any rate we have to collect enough to raise a pillar of fire.

The thatch is cut to make way for the road.

The cut thatch is bundled with rope and loaded onto light trucks.

They were very heavy, probably because of the rain the day before. I think there were about 20 kg per bundle.

During the long-awaited break, casual conversations are exchanged, such as "What are you going to do about the after-work party?" and other casual conversations take place.

Conversations between these tasks are very important for living in the local area. It can be described as a connection.

It has opened up a lot.

Nice smile (laughs).

In about three hours of work, five light trucks and a heap of thatch were collected.

This is then carried under the community centre to dry until the time comes.

Winter preparations in Tsunan Town are still ongoing.