The snow statue created by the barber shop “Ken no Tokoya” (Kansawa, Hirosaki City) near Hirokoshita Station on the Konan Railway is currently nearing completion.

According to the owner Kenichi Yokozawa, he started making snow statues 15 years ago. "When I was shoveling snow, a kindergarten child who passed by asked me what I was doing, and said, "I am making a snow statue." Since then, every year, he started making popular characters and mini kamakura by using the gutter beside the parking lot in front of the store.

The snow statues are so high in quality that they are featured in the local media, and some residents come to listen to Mr. Yokozawa in anticipation of their completion, "When can I do it?" Mr. Yokozawa reveals, "I have physical strength and patience because I harden snow and make it hard over time. The theme is decided by mood every year."

"I'm looking forward to the motif this year," says Yokozawa. At present, the snow statue is about 2 meters high and has a generally rounded shape, and you can see something like a hand. There is also a small snow statue beside the snow statue, which is said to be related to the large snow statue.

Mr. Yokozawa said, "Last year, I was troubled by the happening that the snow image collapsed and the amount of snowfall was small. This year, although there is a lot of snow, it rains and the temperature rises, which discourages production." Make me laugh.

"I'm busy preparing for the departure because I'm going to Hakkodayama where there are rime on trees for a hobby and staying there for a while. I'll be making snow statues again after returning from Hakkodayama," says Yokozawa. The snow statue is expected to be completed in mid-February.