Skiing, Onsen & Bears, OH MY!

Hello! Jill here- just wanted to post some photos from this past weekend. We took a trip to celebrate Stephen's 25th birthday! We went skiing- photos to come as we used a disposable camera and it's not developed yet, and then went to a hot-spring (onsen), which just so happened to be one of the best in Japan. We heard something like #6- which is funny because while we were in Thailand with friends we happened upon the #11 resort in the world and ate dinner at it. From then on it was called "number eleven," so we might as well do that in this case. Here is number six's website: http://www12.wind.ne.jp/takaragawa/e1.html. The photos however are missing something very important: ...bunches of nude men. And snow. And bears.

Well that's all for now. I'll let Stephen the family storyteller give you the details. So far, this weekend and the onsen in particular has been our most magical and enchanting experience in Japan yet.

Here is our camera that is taking grainy photos- we apologize and are working to solve this issue as soon as possible. >oo<

Currently drinking this yummy lemon-ish Vitamin Water as I'm fighting off a cold.


I am never afraid of being thirsty in Japan.

Take the JR Tokaido line from Yokohama to Tokyo, then get on the Shinkansen going north to Niigata and get of at the Jomo Kogen station for Minakami!

In this snowy mountain town getting around is not an issue- since there are SPRINKLERS on the sides of the roads spraying hot-spring water all over- snow never accumulates! Verrrrry efficient, Japan- plus 2 points.

Just waiting for the bus. In the snow!

Jason and Chika! He's Australian and she's from here. They made our weekend so relaxing and took great care of us. They are getting married in June. We might hang out with them in Tokyo (they were just helping manage the hotel for the weekend).

Our tatami dorm room-nest at the Yubiso-Sansou. Opened one month ago by some Australian guys. Super relaxing and quiet- EXACTLY what we needed.

Finally found the correct Shinkansen (bullet train) after THREE train station workers, including a train conductor, could not point us in the right direction- despite the platform number being printed in JAPANESE on our tickets. Hmmm...not so efficient, Japan- Minus one point.

Ohaiogozaimas (goodmorning) birthday boy! M&M Pancakes, yum.