A group in a small Fukushima Prefecture town is doing its best to rebrand a tiresome winter chore into a fun and healthy outdoor activity.
In the town of Nishiaizu, where about half of the 6,000 residents are 65 or older, snow shoveling is being promoted as an enjoyable way for young people to burn off calories and lend a helping hand to the elderly.
While removing snow from roofs and streets is commonly seen as hard labor, the group based out of the snowy town is encouraging people to see it in a positive light and enjoy its benefits through a workout called "Joce-Xercise" — a combination of josetsu (snow removal) and "exercise."