Yuki-mushi: The Snow Fairies of Hokkaido
Lately, as you stroll through the streets of Furano, you may notice tiny white specks dancing in the air — like snowflakes drifting down from the sky.
But these aren’t snowflakes just yet — they’re Yuki-mushi, the little “snow fairies” that announce the coming of winter.
Every year, from late autumn to early winter, these delicate creatures appear in the crisp air of Hokkaido. Known as Yuki-mushi (literally “snow bugs”), they are actually a type of flying aphid, covered in soft, white wax — almost like they’re dressed in tiny down jackets.
Often mistaken for early snowfall, their graceful appearance is a beloved seasonal sign for locals, marking the transition into the true winter season.
To the people of Hokkaido, Yuki-mushi are well known as “the messengers of winter.”
They first appear in places like Wakkanai and Asahikawa around mid-October, then in Sapporo by late October, and in Hakodate and Obihiro in early November.
요즘 후라노 거리에서 자주 볼 수 있어요!