Moments 02 25 :: Week 04

My mom was in town, a rare thing during the winter, so we met up at my sister's for lunch. It sure was was great getting together. 

Hudson sent this photo. He finally went up The Arch! I will never do that, but fun for him. He also had his last day as a flight instructor. Those eight months sure went by quick. Next step for him, private jet co-pilot. It's going to be a busy, exciting year for him. 

It snowed so much when we were in Japan. Just thought this was kind of funny. Van's little chicken peaking through.

Saw six deer on one of our walks this week. It always takes my breath away. 

Japan :: Day 12 :: The Last Day

The last day. This trip was a dream, and truly was incredible. We had a few hours to kill after checkout, so walked through the temple and got lunch at Chinese restaurant before making our way to the airport, were we used our Suica cards up at the vending machines and got airport sushi. I figured we'd be home soon, so it was safe to risk it. It was delicious. Honestly, I'm sure it happens, but I've never heard of anyone getting food poisoning in Japan. They just take such great care of everything they do. Just look at the airport staff waving as our airplane departed. Anyhow, I still cannot believe all we experienced. Thank you, Brian, for all your planning and making this happen. And thank you, Japan, for your beautiful culture and people. I hope to see you again.

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NOTE: The Suica card is a prepaid card that you can use for public transportation and many stores, like vending machines and 7-Elevens. It was so cool. Just download it to your iPhone wallet and add funds there. The other good tip I got from several people was to get Japan wifi. You order ahead, and pick it up at the airport. It was much cheaper, and probably more reliable, than using our phones internationally. Just drop it off in a post office box at the airport. Japan was full of smart things like that. 

Japan :: Day 11

It snowed all night. Too bad that didn’t happen while we were skiing. After breakfast at our hotel, we took a train to Nagano, then to Tokyo for our last night in Japan. I was so excited to continue our journey when we left Tokyo a few days earlier, but it felt really great being back. We stayed at Omo 3, in a completely different area with an amazing view of Senso-ji. We walked to Kappabashi Kitchen Street and picked up some goods. We could have gone crazy, but luckily showed some restraint. I was proud of us. So much good stuff. We quickly walked through the temple area, grabbed some warmer clothes, then headed back out. Dinner was at Gonpachi. It was perfect. Laid back, and little bit of everything - sushi, yakitori, udon. We probably should have enjoyed more of the sushi, but I was trying to be a little careful after our Porto experience the day before traveling. It was really good. My favorite thing ws a tuna hand roll we had. But it was all very good. Before calling it a night, we stopped at Bar Calluna. No menu. You just pick your liquor, and specify sweet, sour or bitter. From the beginning, when the bartender chops away a perfect ice piece from a block, it’s like watching a performance. I’ve never seen a cocktail made so beautifully. They were delicious too. 

Japan :: Day 10

After the Snow Monkeys, we were dropped off at our next hotel, Hotel Tsubakino, in Yamanouchi, an onsen town in Nagano Prefecture. Our room wasn’t completely ready so we walked the street of the quiet town and stumbled upon one of the best smash-burgers we’ve ever had. Made by an American originally from Minnesota, but living in Japan for 20 years. Next, it was time to check in to our hotel, which was very traditional. We opted for a complete package including an en suite sauna and hot bath, dinner and breakfast, a time in their private roof top onsen, in case we weren't allowed to go into the public one. We didn't even ask. Our room and amenities were incredible. It basically was an apartment, with two toilets, a sitting area and separate bedroom, in addition to the onsen bath and a sauna. It felt great to relax after our whirlwind few days. Dinner was multiple courses in a private room. I only wish we got the memo that you could wear your onsen clothes and slippers down to dinner! That would have been fun, but dinner was still a treat. Our time at the rooftop wasn’t until late so took advantage of their free sake bar from 20:00-22:00. By the time we made it to the rooftop, it was freezing cold and snowing like crazy. The initial shower was brutal but the tubs were heavenly. The entire stay was such a cool experience.

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The tent was by the train station for people soak their feet in the onsen water. We did not do that. That beef was apple-fed. It was fantastic. Just melted in your mouth. The private onsen had two baths. One was uncovered. One was a little covered.