Souvenir suggestions: disposable toe warmer!

Hi everyone!

I don't know whether disposable body warmer are available anywhere in the world, but I had never found such things in Europe. Do you know what I'm talking about? Often called by a brand name "Hokkairo" (not Hokkaido!) here,  they are small pouches containing iron powder, salt and some water that heat up when exposed to Oxygen in the air.

In Japan these disposable body pads are very popular, almost indispensable items for many women sensitive to cold. I usually don't use them, but last weekend when east Japan was hit by an unexpectedly heavy snowfall, I really thought they are great inventions...

In the Tokyo metropolitan area it snows twice or three times every year, but not much -- normally 5 centimeters at most. But this time, don't be surprised,  27 centimeters of snow accumulated in the center of the capital. In general, densely populated areas like Tokyo are relatively warm; therefore, it does not snow so heavily.

This is the photo I took from my place. I'm living in Yokohama, about 30 min. away by train from Tokyo. My little container garden on the balcony was totally covered with snow. It kept snowing after I took this photo so you can imagine it was like...

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency it was the third heaviest snowfall since World War II. Weather forecasters repeatedly warned people to stay home if possible, but unfortunately I had to go out in the midst of the violent winter storm, as I had bought a theater ticket for that day.

The temperature stayed very low and I was so reluctant to go outside. But I suddenly remembered that I had bought some "disposable toe warmer!" They are a pair of thin adhesive pads you can stick to your socks and keep you warm for 8 hours.

    
 If you are looking for a nice souvenir for your family or friends from snow countries, I would strongly recommend this toe warmer. You can find them at any drugstores and maybe at convenience stores as well. The one shown in the photo is 500 yen, containing five pairs. Pretty reasonable, isn't it?

さて、ここからは日本語で。

先週末、東日本は珍しく大雪でした。例年は、２，３回、５センチ程度降るだけなのですが、今回は東京の中心部で２７センチ！

東日本　（ひがしにほん）　east Japan
珍しく　（めずらしく）　　rarely
例年　（れいねん） the average year
～程度　（ていど）　　about
降る　（ふる）　 to fall

私の家の窓から写真を撮ってみました。私は横浜に住んでいます。渋谷から電車で３０分ぐらいのところです。バルコニーの私の植物たちも真っ白・・・。

窓　（まど）　　window
撮る　（とる）　to take (photos)
横浜　（よこはま）　Yokohama City
渋谷　（しぶや）　Shibuya

気象庁によると、この積雪量は戦後３番目だそうです。テレビでは不必要な外出はしないようにと呼びかけていましたが、私は演劇のチケットが買ってあったので、出かけましたよ。寒かったー！

気象庁　（きしょうちょう）　Japan Meteorological Agency
積雪量　（せきせつりょう）
戦後　（せんご）　after the war (normally WWII)
不必要 （ふひつよう）　unnecessary
呼びかける　（よびかける）　to warn
演劇　（えんげき）　theatrical play

そのときに、使い捨てカイロが買ってあったのを思い出しました！使い捨てカイロとは、中に鉄の粉と、塩と少量の水が入っている小さい袋で、空気中の酸素に触れると発熱するのです。

使い捨てカイロ　（つかいすて）　disposable body heater
鉄　（てつ）　iron
粉　（こな）　powder
塩　（しお）　salt
少量　（しょうりょう）　little
袋　（ふくろ）　pouch
酸素　（さんそ）　Oxygen
触れる　（ふれる）　to touch (but in this case "to be exposed")
発熱する　（はつねつ）　to heat up

私が持っていたのはつま先に靴下の上から貼るタイプ。８時間温かさが持続します。持っててよかった！コンビニやドラッグストアに売っています。日本のお土産にどうですか？

つま先　（つまさき）　toe
靴下　（くつした）　socks
貼る　（はる）　to stick
温かさ  （あたたかさ）　warmness
持続　（じぞく）　maintain
お土産　（おみやげ）　souvenir