Friday, December 12, 2025
On a night of heavy snowstorms, I'm grateful for the steering wheel that saves my life. The local public transportation "Himawari" connects me to a safe journey home
The fear of the snowstorm and the relief inside the car
It was just after 7pm in December. The journey home from Takikawa Station to Hokuryu Town was a stark reminder of the harshness of Hokkaido's winter. There were six people on board the on-demand local public transport service, "Himawari," most of them high school students who had likely finished their club activities or studies. Shortly after we set off, the world changed completely.
A fierce snowstorm slammed into the windshield, casting a blanket of white light across the view. The headlights were blocked by the snow, making it difficult to see more than a few meters ahead. Outside the car was a frigid world, ravaged by the power of nature. However, inside this small vehicle, there was a strange sense of silence and security.
Respect for the professional "guardians"
The driver's back, gripping the wheel, seemed to harbor a quiet fighting spirit amidst the tension. The road conditions changed from moment to moment, sudden gusts of wind that took away visibility... He responded to each and every one of these with years of experience and a finely honed sense, and his professional skills kept the vehicle stable.
The single red line on the navigation screen was not just a guidepost, but a lifeline guiding us safely home. In a situation where it would have been natural to feel scared, we were able to rest easy in our seats because we had absolute trust in the driver.
Carrying the local treasure, "high school students"
The four high school students on board the bus represent the future of Hokuryu Town. Delivering them safely to the warm homes of their parents in the midst of bad weather is more than just a transportation service; it is also an act of love, protecting and raising children together as a community.
The driver's fatigue must have been beyond imagination. After a nerve-wracking drive on snowy roads, I can only imagine the sense of relief he must have felt when he arrived safely in Hokuryu Town.
With love, gratitude and prayers
It was a night that once again brought home to me the warmth of people and the dignity of work that supports society. The "freedom of movement" that we take for granted is protected by the dedicated work of people like this.
Thank you very much to the drivers. Your steering wheel is protecting someone's precious life and the smiles of their family today.
We sincerely pray for the safety and health of all those who protect our winter roads during this snowy season, and for all those who operate public transportation systems and transport lives.
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Published on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, updated on Monday, October 6. Hokuryu Town will begin a trial run of a new regional public transportation system on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
◇ 🖋️ Content planning, article writing, photo selection, and video creation: Ikuko Terauchi
Photography, editing, and website management: Noboru Terauchi![We will be exhibiting at the HMJ (Handmade in Japan Festival) booth H-99 on Saturday, January 17th and Sunday, January 18th, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Tokyo Big Sight, West Halls 1 and 2. We will be participating as part of the Hokuryu team. 🙌 🌻 [tokadin715]](https://portal.hokuryu.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-12-4.41.36-375x252.jpg)
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