one just need the right music to emancipate the mood, and i will be brought back immediately to the memories of an old japanese film called love letter, directed by Iwai Shunji (i prefer the traditional way of surname, followed by first name).
my favourite is actually "on the way to Kushiro". unlike cinematography where all the people will stand in their right positions with their faces shown as when needed, unposed travel photography can't expect an equivalent unless one is really lucky. despite of that, the child and his/her (i think it's a him) hood really catches my attention. someone once told me that it is always the people photography that catches attention and one that people remembers. i'm always intrigued by a hood too.... well, except for the lens hood.
i would of cos wish that the father's face would be shown, and i believe eikin will also wish for that if the moments allow. the idea of a family together would be great, for a family traveling in winter and snow, taking care of each other. the mother takes care of the child, the father (and great one that he is much taller, helps to bring across the character too) carries the bags, forming the roles each takes in a family.
this is what i feel about the picture. i think some of the pictures really allow a deeper dimension to it. and i'm really impressed with the precision and immaculate feel. i'm still struggling with many situations of difficult lighting, and that would not exclude a snow scene. your handling of the exposure of the snow is just spot on, cool.