Very interesting. I wasn't familiar with Toyama. But I spent last December and January in Sapporo. People mentioned last year in December they had most snow in last 15 years. I was comparing my experience in Sapporo with living in Ottawa. Both places seem to have similar winter. I can see myself living in Sapporo in winter but not in Ottawa. The main difference was the snow ploughing of roads and sidewalks. It was much better in Sapporo than Ottawa. Also Sapporo has very good subway and underground walkways so your exposure to winter conditions is somewhat reduced.