The Village

Well last night I went down to my closest Onsen for the nightly bathe and I was asked if it might be too hot for me. Admitting that I couldn't take the heat for too long if I was actually being scalded the gent there ran cold water in to lower the temp a bit.

So when the next two regulars turned up he told them it was luke warm in deference to the soft white skin that was sharing their tub with them. And to my pleasure they both happily said that was fine. I think they must push their limits a bit so they can proudly be scalded hot tub veterans and any excuse for a break from the endurance efforts is welcome.

As many of you may know bowing is a customary thing in Japan. Today I saw a nice twist to that..
A couple of people met a friend in the street and I thought the person who had just showed on the scene was going in for the real nose to knee bow.. showing the utmost repsect, she was an elder - they do these things.

But no, something was stuck in the top of her shoe and she was just getting it unsnagged.

I'll have to remember that one next time I want to have a laugh, aaaaaaand down to tie the shoelaces... ;)

Nagano

Well I made it to my destination, the sleep ghot-town-like village of Nozawa Onsen. Where the steam from the constantly running hot spring water emanates from a dozen or more classic little hot tub rooms which are dotted around the town.

Image courtesy of IXSMTravel.com

The snow will bring the holiday makers from Tokyo but also from far and wide, foreigners as well.
The town has very narrow roads and rarely do you see anywhere to park a car, so car parks are used and people wander about from hotel to store to onsen (hot tub) making for an aura that is probably reminisce of decades if not centuries ago.

The nightly ritual of soaking in the onsen before going to bed is putting a smile on my dial every bed time.  :)


I have to get out today and try take some photos.. there is a sprinkling of snow on the highest points, a sign of what's coming.

Back again

So arriving in Tokyo, yet again, after the life sucking ordeal of being in a passenger airliner for too many hours, was a relief.
I really do hope I can make the plan happen that doesn't involve using a plane to get home. ie. Boats, trains n buses to get back thru Asia to Aus.

Someone had offered to meet me and let me couch surf but they went underground at the last minute and so I hit my usual Internet cafe accom.

Wish I could get frequent flyer miles here ;)

Lots of alarms going off this morning as all the other overnight stayers here try to wake up and get ready to head to work or catch that home bound train they missed late last night.

Nihon, 2009 - Back to the snow!

Well I had a holiday to Japan earlier this year, remiss of me not to post pics n commentary to the blog but I've been whoring myself to FB way too much.

Hopefully this new move, back to the ski fields of Honshu (rather than Hokkaido), will result in more postings and news.

D

Taiko Drumming in Sakae, Nagoya, 2009. Summer Matsuri

Dance - Drummers, Mito Matsuri, 2009