Niigata

Niigata Prefecture is "snow country." Niigata is on the Japan Sea side. In winter, warm air from the Tsushima Current collides with cold continental air. Result: heavy snow. Niigata's annual snowfall exceeds 3 meters. Some areas 10 meters. For Niigata residents, "snow" is daily life. Winter is long (November-April). Niigata residents live with snow. But Niigata is Japan's #1 rice production area. Niigata's rice production ranks 1st in Japan (sometimes after Hokkaido and Akita, but always top 3). Uonuma Koshihikari is Japan's highest quality rice. Why is Niigata rice delicious? Snow is the reason. In spring, snow melts into water. That water is nutrient-rich. The Shinano and Agano rivers carry nutrients to rice paddies. For Niigata residents, "snow" is both enemy and ally. Snow grows rice. Niigata residents work "slowly." Rice is harvested once per year. No need to rush. For Niigata residents, the time unit of "one year" is normal. But motorsport is a sport fighting for "one second." Time scales are too different. Niigata residents drive cars in winter. But that's "survival." Snowy roads are slippery. Studless tires mandatory. Drive slowly. Rushing causes accidents. For Niigata residents, "speed" is danger. Niigata has almost no circuits. Nearest is Ebisu Circuit (Fukushima Prefecture, about 200km). For Niigata residents, motorsport is a "distant world." Niigata residents dedicate their lives to growing rice in snow. Not interested in the "culture of speed" called motorsport.