As some of you might know, I've been in Japan for the last week. It's been quite an experience so far.
Unfortunately, there hasn't been much video-shooting this first week (as in, none at all) so there won't be any interesting vlogging from the first week, but there are a lot of photos.
So where to start?
Well, first of all, it's winter here, so it's freezing and driving through the snow is a daunting experience.
But apart from that, it's a beautiful country with lots of mountains, including Mount Fuji, which we happened to pass.
Sunday after driving for ages, we finally stopped at a small town called Yaizu for the night. Nice place, very small.
Monday we set out very early... And got stuck in traffic for 5 hours due to a traffic accident. Everyone ended up leaving their cars/trucks/buses in favor of walking back 15 minutes to the trucks stop to get food.
So when we started again it was about 1.30pm. We drove and drove and drove and drove to get to Wakayama, where we promptly crashed at one of the only hotels still open at 11.45pm.
On Tuesday, after a wonderful rest, we set out and looked around Hashimoto city for a while, where we found the most gorgeous little cake and sweets shop.
The girl there was so incredibly helpful. And the chocolate cake was delicious. So we headed off to the police station -which doubles as an information centre - and asked about accommodation near where my host family lives. The staff there called and booked us a room at Nakagawa Ryokan, a small Ryokan near the train station to Mount Koya. We spent 3 days in this charming little Ryokan. I loved it so much.
Upon arrival Mr. Nakagawa showed us the mother's temple at the base of Mount Koya. It was extremely beautiful and, even though I'd been there before, it moved me to see the monks and the statues I'd seen two years prior in such weather. It was truly breath-taking.
After we had seen the sights and been shown the way to the supermarkets and other such useful places we settled into the Ryokan and got ready to go and see my host family, who I stayed with for a couple of days in 2008.
I could go on about them forever, but I wont. Instead, I will quickly recap and summarize the three days spent with them.
Day 1: Still Tuesday
Well, really it was night 1 but anyway...
First night seeing them. Very emotional. Mum and I got lost several times on the way to Machiko's house, so eventually we had to meet her at Gusto and follow her to her house.
She cooked a fabulous meal and we all exchanged some gifts. She gave me a beautiful hair accessory that I've been wearing a lot since.
Noboru came home around 8 and he was introduced to mum (and vice versa).
Day 2: Wednesday
We all went to Koya-San (Mount Koya) in the SNOW!! There was so much SNOW!! We walked and bused around to see the different temples and such. We were allowed inside one, but we weren't allowed to take photos.
On the way out of that particular temple though, Mum and I almost got buried in snow that fell from the roof. Rather dangerous, but well worth the risk. Don't worry; no one was hurt in the writing of this blog. But honestly, the snow was beautiful, even on the graves. I was so glad to return that I didn't really give much thought to walking through the snow in converses. Not a smart move but hey, I got a new pair of snow/rain boots out of the ordeal so all is well.
(NOTE: from now on you will have to excuse me being vague, for this is the third time I've written this section; the first 2 times didn't save. Would you believe it's taken me 3 days to write this thing?)
Day 3: Thursday
Last day with Machiko and her family. During the day Machiko, Izuki, mum and I went to Wakayama-Jo (Wakayama Castle). It was beautiful and full of interesting artifacts. Unfortunately, said artifacts were not allowed to be photographed, so out of respect for the people running the castle, I will not be posting my blurry ninja-photos here.
The photos were taken for someone who holds an interest in weaponry, but should one wish to see them (and I know aforementioned party personally) one might email the blog-writer with a request to see said photos.
Afterwards, once mum and I were back at the Ryokan, we were greeted by Mr. Nakagawa, who took us to see a small memorial gallery, then escorted and abandoned us at the local hot-spring facility.
Again, no photos as the place was chock full of naked women. You understand.
[insert witty comment about lesbian paradise here].
After soaking ourselves, we ventured back to Machiko's house for another home cooked meal. This was about the time that I discovered that the Japanese don't eat raw vegetables. Well, except for cabbage at breakfast. Ew.
Anyway, sooner than expected we had to depart. 'Twas a sad affair, with both my mothers crying. Then we headed back for our last night at the Ryokan.
So, come Friday morning we were up and roaring to set out by 8. We got lost due to my bad programming of the GPS, then finally found our way to the highway. A few hours travel, a quick pit stop and a few more hours travel landed us in Nagoya, the industrial hub of Japan.
This was where we found underground shopping... And that my new snow/rain boots rub the skin off my calves if my socks don't come up to my knees.
And that Vitamin E cream on said rubbing burns like a bitch.
5 minutes of tear inducing burning pain later and we booked into our hotel. The rooms are tiny, but really, it's just for sleeping in.
And the lobby offers free wifi and breakfast, so no complaint can be made. Also, most staff speak at least a little bit of English. Between their mediocre English and my terrible Japanese, we work things out.
Saturday was driving until we got to Natsumi's house. Natsumi is the student that stayed with us for a month in 2009.
And actually, the GPS apparently doesn't like finding peoples houses via landline number, so a very nice man in some rather odd pants reprogrammed it for us. Eventually we reached Natsumi's house and had a wonderful lunch with her family.
After this, we all set out to go to Harajuku, which I didn't get any footage of. Fortunately, our very first stop was at a purikura (photo booth) place.
Dinner was a rather large treat; Ramen. Yes, I know what you're thinking, and no I'm not going to make a Naruto/Naruto Shippuden reference.
Believe it.
Okay, I lied. But really, ramen is pretty damn tasty. Don't knock it 'till you've tried it.
After Harajuku we went back to the hotel and said our goodnights.
Sunday was, unknowingly, our last day with Natsumi. It was spent well though, I do believe. After dropping the car off at the local Toyota Rental place we all went to the Edo-Jo site, which is the site Edo Castle was at before it burnt down. Apparently they were too lazy to rebuild it. Figures.
After Edo-Jo we all went to the bustling market place in Asakusa. There they have heaps of strange and wonderful things, including fruit on a stick in soft toffee. Which is delicious, just so you know.
After Asakusa, we came back to the hotel and planned out the approach for going to Nippori and seeing Noriko-sensei. This was about the time that Natsumi began speaking to her mother about seeing us of an afternoon... And was reminded that she has University entrance exams coming up, which are extremely difficult I am lead to believe.
So this turned into another tear filled goodbye with Natsumi crying into both mum's and my shoulders. Sometimes you'd think I was the big sister. Which I assure you, I'm not.
And I think that brings us up to date. This post will be up by morning I do hope. So, finally, I am done. I will post today's events with tomorrow's events tomorrow.
Thanks to you if you've stuck around this long, and my apologies that this blog wasn't up earlier.
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