I recently came across a rather speechless news story. Last year's snowstorm in Hokkaido directly stranded over 7,000 people at the airport, with some people huddling on the cold floor for dozens of hours, unable to even get a bottle of mineral water. Honestly, when I saw these news reports, I was thinking about one question: why do some people still insist on going to Japan despite repeated government warnings not to?

First, let's talk about how fierce that snowstorm was last year. In Sapporo's central district, snowfall reached 65 centimeters within 48 hours, the largest since 1999, with some areas accumulating over 1 meter of snow. On that day, New Chitose Airport canceled 56 flights, trapping about 7,000 travelers overnight. Ground transportation was even worse—JR Hokkaido suspended over 500 trains, disrupting travel plans for 130k people. Taxis had long queues, and some people paid 3,000 yuan to share a ride from the airport to the city—ten times the usual price. Convenience stores' instant noodles, bread, and bottled water were sold out, even toilet paper ran out.

Some might ask, isn't Japan used to snow? Why couldn't they handle it this time? Actually, the reasons behind this are quite complex. First, the storm's intensity exceeded expectations. It fell rapidly and fiercely, and the airport's snow removal equipment, running 24/7, couldn't keep up with the snowfall rate. The runways weren't cleared properly, so flights couldn't resume naturally. Second, Japan's emergency supplies and distribution systems had issues—7,000 people stranded at the airport, and basic blankets and hot water couldn't be supplied. Additionally, multilingual services lagged behind; many Chinese tourists were trapped, and most airport broadcasts and signs were only in Japanese and English, making communication difficult and increasing panic.

Digging deeper, this incident exposed some problems within Japanese society. Over the years, Hokkaido has experienced serious population outflow, with fewer young workers. Most snow removal crews are elderly, and their physical strength is insufficient. Local tax revenues have decreased, leading to less funding for infrastructure maintenance and disaster prevention equipment updates. Roads and power grids have become more vulnerable during snowstorms.

In fact, the repeated reminders from the government not to go to Japan are not just casual words. Besides this snowstorm, Japan has recently faced numerous safety risks. At the same time as the snowstorm, security situations in many parts of Japan worsened, with increased theft, scams, and personal assaults targeting Chinese citizens. Moreover, earthquakes have occurred consecutively in western Honshu and Hokkaido, with some areas facing landslides and road collapses. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japanese embassies issued safety alerts in advance, hoping everyone could avoid these risks.

But why do some people ignore these warnings? Frankly, it's due to a luck-hope mentality. Many believe that they won't happen to them—that it's unlikely they'll encounter trouble. They are eager to see snow, enjoy hot springs, and shop in Japan, ignoring potential risks. Before traveling, they only focus on sightseeing tips and shopping lists, neglecting weather warnings, emergency supplies, and insurance. As a result, issues like dead phones, insufficient cash, and language barriers suddenly emerge, leaving them isolated and helpless in a foreign country.

Honestly, travel isn't just about spontaneous romance; it requires rational planning and thorough preparation. The safety alerts issued by the government are based on extensive field research and case analysis, each pointing to real risks. Ignoring these warnings and blindly traveling will only lead to suffering. Some might say, "I bought travel insurance, so if something happens, the insurance company will cover it." But even with insurance, being stranded at the airport for dozens of hours or freezing and starving in the cold isn't a good experience. Insurance can compensate for financial losses but can't cover physical and psychological torment.

This snowstorm in Hokkaido, even for a disaster-prepared country like Japan, was somewhat overwhelming—let alone ordinary tourists. Ultimately, safe travel is the premise. We can't let impulsiveness put ourselves in danger. Only by traveling safely can we return happily.