Golden Week Living

In lieu of writing lengthy emails, I have reluctantly decided to start a blog, and even though this stems from some form of laziness on my part, perhaps some would say a general incompetence, I hope it is at least interesting and lets people know what's going on in Shizuoka.

Last week, from Sunday to Tuesday, was the optimistically named Golden Week; national holiday where everyone in Japan scrambles to go someplace other than their homes for a few days with the family. Kazuo keeps in touch with old rugby friends from his university days, and every two or three years meets up with them, this year they planned a get together in the famous onsen (hot spring) town of Kusatsu. Leaving at 3am on Sunday morning, Kazuo hoped to fool the hoards of travellers, which indeed he did. After a few hours of lolling my head with a slackened jaw, I woke up at the highest line Japan Rail has, overlooked by the famous Yatsugatake range...

We exchanged photographs in a very civilized manner. The name Yatsugatake, means "eight peaks", though this local map, much to Kazuo's amusement, apparently only recognises seven...

Getting closer to Kusatsu, we made a scheduled to stop off at the picturesque town of Karuizawa to pick up Kiyo, the second sister after Nami, who had taken the Shinkansen from Tokyo. Whilst waiting for her train to get in, since we had made such good time, we went for a short hike to see Shiraito no taki, a rather amazing mini waterfall, apparently the result of geothermal activity, but not as hot as a regular spring, only about 11 degrees. And I don't know whether to believe this or not, but I read the water that comes out of the falls fell as rain six years ago.

The mountain from whence this water came is Mt. Asama, an active volcano, who kindly spewed a cloud of sulphur for us to see and smell.

Then we went to see another waterfall, downstream from Shiraito no taki, called Ryuugaeshi. Walking through the forest to get there, first we came across this sign. Not sure if the bear has a birthmark, a cowboy mask or a Yogi bear style napkin, but he looks like a nice enough chap.

Further down the path, Kazuo told us bears had stripped the bark of these trees, and we could easily see some decent sized paw prints in the soft soil...

By this time, Nami was pretty scared, so much so she held my hand. This just made me even more nervous. Then we saw this Taco-boy tree (he has an octopus face, Nami said, "Oh, he looks like... you know." And I said, "Yeah! It's OOOO." But it turned out we got our wires totally crossed here. Who do you think he looks like?).

Anywho, despite Nami's drama and protesting ("I think we should go back to car. Yeah.") we unfortunately didn't see any bears, but made it to the second falls; not as approachable, but more genki (energetic) than the trickle before.

OK, it has taken me an inordinate amount of time to do this, so will be splitting up Golden Week. Next blog, Japanese health and safety (non-existent for those that don't know), Kusatsu, more sulphur and caldera action.