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Late-January through the month of February is the coldest time of the year in the Yokosuka City and Miura Peninsula areas.  However, there usually are no heavy snowfalls or killing frosts, and so the winter weeks are temperate compared to other regions in northern Japan which are much more snowy and colder.  Of interest, according to the olden days/traditional Japanese calendar, the first day of Spring occurs during early February, and while the weather then is still cold, there are some "symbols" of Spring which can start to be seen here and there -- blossoming 梅の木 (Ume no ki, plum trees).  Some plum tree blossoms are white, while other are pink, and they are beautiful to see in people's gardens and in parks, etc.  Of note, a famous plum tree forest is located up on a hill in the Taura District of Yokosuka -- see the link below for more details.  Later on, during summer, the Ume trees will produce fruit -- small, hard plums which are very tart and sour.  One way which Japanese people will enjoy the plum fruits is to make 梅酒 (Ume-shu, plum wine).  Gather the plums and put them into jars, mixed with sugar and shochu (a vodka-like liquor) -- the mixture is then stored in a cool place for several months (see more at the bottom link).  One finished, Ume-shu is a delightfully sweet drink to serve over ice, and it is also commercially produced and widely sold in Japanese stores.  We hope you will get a chance to try it while living in Japan.    Written by Goodfield                 

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LINKS:

Plum Blossoms -- Taura Plum Tree Park

https://us.iino.cc/blog/blog.html?eid=00150

Japan's Old Calendar (SEKKI 節気)

https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/b09701/

Making Plum Wine (Ume-Shu)

https://www.justonecookbook.com/plum-wine/