Happy New Year!
Last year we had a tropical new years on the Great Barrier Reef but this year we went to the snow. If it's gonna be cold, it might as well be snowy and pretty. That's my logic anyway. We went to Nozawa Onsen in Nagano with our friends Tyler and Sachika. We knew you could ski there but didn't realize that it's predominantly a village for skiiers, so for the first day and a half we walked around envious of all the skiiers and pondered on how the beer and katsu curry must taste so much better after a physical day of skiing. So finally on New Year's Day we took the plunge and skiied all day. Darin snowboarded for the first time and being a skateboarder, he did really well.
I really recommend a trip to Nozawa. The tiny little village has plenty of cheap accomodation and good food. It also has 13 free hot spring baths - we managed to go to four different ones. It snowed the first day we were there.
so we soaked our feet in one of the ashi-yu (hot springs for feet)
the town has a travelator that takes you directly from the town to the ski fields - very convenient!
Hikage ski slope at Nozawa
we saw crazy tyres
saw some cute dogs
we went to almost the top of the mountain - it was truly a winter wonderland
tyler and daz after a hard day on the slopes
then there were snowball fights
my new hat kept me warm - I used a Japanese knitting pattern from this book. (This hat was knit entirely on the flight from Detroit to Tokyo - Darin had to massage my hands afterwards they were so sore).
And we soaked in the best outdoor hot springs that we've all ever been to - Maguse Onsen. Tyler took a lot of great photos from the men's bath (including one of him and darin naked - don't worry it's very classy, no bits can be seen!!) and supposedly lots of other men were too, but things were much more guarded at the women's onsen and I just took a few quick photos. The scenery was amazing and sitting outside in the snow in freezing temps naked but not cold at all is a whole other experience. Highly recommended.
we also ate lots of great local food - handmade soba, tons of nozawana (nozawa style-pickled vegetables) and these baby nagaimos - they are just like mini boiled potatoes - deelicious!
You can view all of our vacation photos here!!!
I hope everyone had a great new years. I didn't really make any resolutions. I hope to join runagogo and lose some of this holiday joy around my belly. Oh and today is my last day as a 31-year old and I take the plunge into the 32s tomorrow. It's going to be a great one!!
Happy Birthday, Kat!!!! Here's to a wonderful 2007!
Posted by: Mariko | January 05, 2007 at 04:17 PM
happy birthday! i'm actually going to tokyo TONIGHT(!!), but with a bunch of friends so i didn't bother trying to set up a time to meet. maybe i'll bump into you! have a great weekend!
Posted by: molly! | January 05, 2007 at 10:08 PM
The photos look great. Makes me want to go to the snow so badly. I doubt Tokyo will see any this winter.
Happy New Year and all the best for 2007! Also Happy Birthday!! Hope you have a lovely day!
Posted by: Lulu | January 06, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Wow, those photos are striking! I totally covet a hot springs for feet -- how fun!
Happy birthday!!
Posted by: Ann | January 06, 2007 at 12:49 AM
Happy New Year and a Happy Birthday! Looks like a fabulous vacation, such an ideal winter wonderland! I miss the the snow, we didn't have any yet here in Toronto, isn't that crazy?!
Posted by: andrea | January 06, 2007 at 12:50 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAT!!!
wow, that trip looks like it was a lot of fun. skiing, hitting the onsen, food and beer? what more could you ask for? good times indeed.
p.s. send my early birthday wishes on to claire as well ;)
Posted by: gleek | January 06, 2007 at 01:49 AM
Sounds like you had fun!!! And it is nice to see snow somewhere in the world.
Posted by: Mia | January 06, 2007 at 04:27 AM
Wow! Looks and sounds like you had an awesome trip!! it looks really beautiful!
Happy Birthday!!!!
Posted by: Myriam | January 06, 2007 at 06:36 AM
happy birthday and happy new year!!
I look forward to your blog in 2007.
happy knitting/crafting/life! :)
Posted by: Jeanie | January 06, 2007 at 06:45 AM
Kat - it's still you're birthday here. In celebration, I have just eaten a whole handful of chocolate chips. Happy Birthday - oh, wait, I feel another celebration coming on! More chocolate chips! Yay!
Your time in the snow looks like so much fun. We've only had one snowstorm here so far this year - (global warming, anyone?) - and although I don't miss shovelling my driveway, I do miss the way snow makes everything beautiful, sparkling and pure.
Posted by: Steph VW | January 08, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Happy belated birthday, Kat! Hope you had a great day and did something special to celebrate.
Posted by: nicole | January 09, 2007 at 10:58 AM
I tagged you in my blog!
www.divaknitter.blogspot.com
Posted by: DivaKnitter | January 11, 2007 at 01:43 AM
Happy Birthday! And thanks for the Nozawa photos, we are going there next weekend and I can't wait.
PS Did you get the TV remote okay?
Posted by: suzy | January 12, 2007 at 06:08 PM