Did my Good Deed for the month today. Scooter'd up to the Hougyoku-kai office because Niina-gosoke asked me to sell the old office PC up there: no point in moving it to the Honbu Dojo. So I packed up the computer, monitor, and two printers, balanced and roped it all on the luggage rack I brought, and lugged it across to the other side of the station to the used place. Of course the weather happened to be unseasonably warm and I was working up quite a sweat pushing an unwieldy stack of parts up and down the street. Luckily, such a site in Akihabara is fairly typical, so no one gave me a second thought.
After dropping the stuff off I walked back to the office and got some lunch at the Indian curry place in the building. Stupendously average, but cheap and the nan was good.
Scootered back to the used store and discovered that, much to my surprise, the total came to over 12,000 yen! Seems if we still had the box and manuals it would have been double that, but oh well. One printer was only 50 yen though, and the other printer was zero yen (but at least they took it away; would have cost 1000yen just to throw it out.) So I pooled the points on my Sofmap card and got handed a coupon good for 2000 yen off of a wireless LAN purchase. Lucky! Just what I needed so I headed over to the Mac Sofmap and bought an Airmac card for Niina-gosoke's iBook and a Buffalo wireless LAN/router. Using the points and coupon the total came to only 7000 yen. I love Akihabara.
shinbashi
Shimizu-san came by about 4:30 and we looked at a few more apartments. Sendaizaka Oak Hills is right in Azabu Jyuban, but the apartments were just average, nothing exciting. The other apartment was also in Azabu Jyuban, right by the video game store at the bottom of Kurayamizaka, but it was kind of small and dark and only had a unit bath. Azabudai Tower is a nice expat place, with an awesome kitchen and huge living/dining room, but it is literally across the street from the Tokyo American Club, and it only has a western bath/shower. The owner said he was thinking about remodelling the bathroom to be Japanese-style; a place to change, a shower area, and a bathtub. But even if they did that, don't think I want to live there.
Hiroko and I will go see some more places next weekend, so I'm not worried. Still think Wakayama House was the best place, but Hiroko wasn't crazy about it. So we'll see.
After looking at apartments I finally made it to Gosoke's class for the first time in what seemed live forever. I brought custard cakes from Hokkaido and there were just enough for everyone. After practice Gosoke and I went to his favorite sushi place and we talked about the Honbu Dojo (gotta go paint it this weekend!) and who's gonna take over Mugairyu in the future...deep stuff, especially since I'm still just trying to figure out the basics.
Hiroko and I will go see some more places next weekend, so I'm not worried. Still think Wakayama House was the best place, but Hiroko wasn't crazy about it. So we'll see.
After looking at apartments I finally made it to Gosoke's class for the first time in what seemed live forever. I brought custard cakes from Hokkaido and there were just enough for everyone. After practice Gosoke and I went to his favorite sushi place and we talked about the Honbu Dojo (gotta go paint it this weekend!) and who's gonna take over Mugairyu in the future...deep stuff, especially since I'm still just trying to figure out the basics.
spring?
What's up with this damn weather? Yesterday it's 18 degrees C and sunny: total t-shirt spring weather. Wind is blowing the hay fever'd pollen hither and yon, the birds are a'chirpin', etc.
Today, it's gray and overcast, 11 degrees C, and the wind is icy.
Make up your mind!
Today, it's gray and overcast, 11 degrees C, and the wind is icy.
Make up your mind!
more powder!
Awoke early to see the snow still falling, and fresh powder all over the mountain.
Rallied the seriously hung-over troops, who gave it their best, considering the alcohol-induced damage from the night before.
Got on the mountain and did some powdery on-piste; not great visibility but the goggles were good and the snow was perfect. Didn't bother going seriously off-piste as I had enough powder between trails, in trees, and under lifts, and my legs were feeling the pain.
Gave myself four good runs, including one badly-calculated run through some nasty moguls, and called it a happy day.
A final onsen, packed my stuff, ate some banana bread, finally finished my book, and it was back on the bus to Chitose Airport. We managed to get bumped to an earlier flight so I was home by 10:30, sore and tired but loving it.
Rallied the seriously hung-over troops, who gave it their best, considering the alcohol-induced damage from the night before.
Got on the mountain and did some powdery on-piste; not great visibility but the goggles were good and the snow was perfect. Didn't bother going seriously off-piste as I had enough powder between trails, in trees, and under lifts, and my legs were feeling the pain.
Gave myself four good runs, including one badly-calculated run through some nasty moguls, and called it a happy day.
A final onsen, packed my stuff, ate some banana bread, finally finished my book, and it was back on the bus to Chitose Airport. We managed to get bumped to an earlier flight so I was home by 10:30, sore and tired but loving it.
niseko day 3
No fresh snow, so made a late start of it. Took it easy, did some on-piste, found some random powder between trails, got yelled at for ducking under the ropes and hitting the virgin snow between the trees under the quad.
Decided to try the Anupuri off-piste on my own. Stayed high and cut across the ridge of the near valley. Plunged through some tremendous untouched snow along the wind-blown ridge line and managed to start a small avalanche. Ended up farther right than I should have been so I had to hoof about 15 minutes of flat valley bottom before I got back on track. But then I ended up running through trees for a LONG time, finally ending up at the bottom of a quad I didn't recognize. Seems I had come all the way to the resort on the other side of the mountain. Had to buy a one-time lift pass to get to the top of the quad, then hoofed and skated until I got to the far edge of the far valley (from Anupuri.) I could see the valley I should have been in, and I could see the line that would take me back to the bottom of Anupuri, and I could see that no one had even been on this valley wall. I savoured the moment before plunging into 2 meter deep, untouched powder down the entire valley wall. I worked it as long as I could, then shot at speed into the valley bottom, hanging hard left, and finally ending up at the bottom of Anupuri. Mission accomplished.
Had an early lunch at Pow-Pow, some lounging by the fire, another pre-dinner onsen.
Then the snow flurries started. Nothing serious, and folks weren't too excited about tomorrow...but the weather report says snow...
Decided to try the Anupuri off-piste on my own. Stayed high and cut across the ridge of the near valley. Plunged through some tremendous untouched snow along the wind-blown ridge line and managed to start a small avalanche. Ended up farther right than I should have been so I had to hoof about 15 minutes of flat valley bottom before I got back on track. But then I ended up running through trees for a LONG time, finally ending up at the bottom of a quad I didn't recognize. Seems I had come all the way to the resort on the other side of the mountain. Had to buy a one-time lift pass to get to the top of the quad, then hoofed and skated until I got to the far edge of the far valley (from Anupuri.) I could see the valley I should have been in, and I could see the line that would take me back to the bottom of Anupuri, and I could see that no one had even been on this valley wall. I savoured the moment before plunging into 2 meter deep, untouched powder down the entire valley wall. I worked it as long as I could, then shot at speed into the valley bottom, hanging hard left, and finally ending up at the bottom of Anupuri. Mission accomplished.
Had an early lunch at Pow-Pow, some lounging by the fire, another pre-dinner onsen.
Then the snow flurries started. Nothing serious, and folks weren't too excited about tomorrow...but the weather report says snow...
powder
Woke up at 6:30 to a beautiful Hokkaido morning. And buckets of fresh powder. The group was psyched by slightly hungover. Me and Binnie and couple others managed to get on the slope by 8:30, rode to the top, hiked up to the very peak, and barrelled down unspeakably good, fresh, deep powder.
I went way off course and ended up far too left, and had to hoof 30 minutes to get back on the mountain. But it was worth it.
Hooked up with Greg who took us to the other side of the mountain where we found a valley of fresh powder. Hit that several times before lunch before breaking for a thousand yen pasta-and-meat-sauce-topped-with-deep-fried-pork-cutlet. They kept going but I was getting tired so I took some on-piste runs and called it a day.
Headed back to the Full Note and did the pre-dinner onsen, got the fireplace running, and sat around reading.
Weather was sunny so folks weren't expecting fresh powder, and thus planned on a late start. More drunken debauchery downstairs; cheap dinner wine, prune juice and vodka, etc. Several UDI's (Unidentified Drinking Injuries).
I went way off course and ended up far too left, and had to hoof 30 minutes to get back on the mountain. But it was worth it.
Hooked up with Greg who took us to the other side of the mountain where we found a valley of fresh powder. Hit that several times before lunch before breaking for a thousand yen pasta-and-meat-sauce-topped-with-deep-fried-pork-cutlet. They kept going but I was getting tired so I took some on-piste runs and called it a day.
Headed back to the Full Note and did the pre-dinner onsen, got the fireplace running, and sat around reading.
Weather was sunny so folks weren't expecting fresh powder, and thus planned on a late start. More drunken debauchery downstairs; cheap dinner wine, prune juice and vodka, etc. Several UDI's (Unidentified Drinking Injuries).
to hokkaido
Got up at 4am, which technically can't be called 'morning' because it was pitch dark.
Scootered over to the Westin and found Dev. Waited for Binnie and finally saw a tall white guy running down the street. We grabbed a cab to Haneda airport, rallied the troops, and flew to Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. Switched on a bus and drove through the expansive nothingness of Hokkaido to Niseko. Lots and lots of not much. And snow. Kind of reminded me of Wyoming.
Got to the Full Note, checked in, got our rooms, grabbed some lunch at Pow-Pow and hit the slopes. Snow was falling, wind was blowing, and visibility sucked. But the powder was stupendous. Boarded all afternoon, bought some new googles, and called it a day.
Back to Full Note for dinner and relaxing by the fire, watching the snow fall. Some folks went out drinking, I stayed by the fire to finish reading.
Scootered over to the Westin and found Dev. Waited for Binnie and finally saw a tall white guy running down the street. We grabbed a cab to Haneda airport, rallied the troops, and flew to Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. Switched on a bus and drove through the expansive nothingness of Hokkaido to Niseko. Lots and lots of not much. And snow. Kind of reminded me of Wyoming.
Got to the Full Note, checked in, got our rooms, grabbed some lunch at Pow-Pow and hit the slopes. Snow was falling, wind was blowing, and visibility sucked. But the powder was stupendous. Boarded all afternoon, bought some new googles, and called it a day.
Back to Full Note for dinner and relaxing by the fire, watching the snow fall. Some folks went out drinking, I stayed by the fire to finish reading.
highlands ranch, co
My brother the yuppie buys a house in the suburbs with with wife, kid, dog. American dream comes true:
led traffic lights
Slowly but surely the Tokyo government continues its devious plot to replace the ineffective standard traffic lights with bright, clear led ones. First is was the main strip of Ginza, and then I noticed that the lights at Furukawabashi Crossing are now led. Even in direct sunlight it's totally obvious which light is lit, and when not lit they are near black. Each color seems to made of concentric circles of perhaps 100 individual leds. I am assuming they are lower power and longer lasting than traditional bulb lights. And such a vibrant green! Really, technology is just so cool.
catch-22 ?
Do you deserve to be sorrounded by your fellow morons, or do the morons around you not recognize the fact that you don't belong there?
I remember, at an impressionable young age, my wisen'd father telling me about How The World Is:
"The average person is: average. And that's pretty dumb. Think about it. An average grade is a 'C'. Think about your fellow classmates who consistently get C's. They are morons. They are average."
The Curse of the Bell Curve? The cruel irony of being two standard deviations right of the norm?
I remember, at an impressionable young age, my wisen'd father telling me about How The World Is:
"The average person is: average. And that's pretty dumb. Think about it. An average grade is a 'C'. Think about your fellow classmates who consistently get C's. They are morons. They are average."
The Curse of the Bell Curve? The cruel irony of being two standard deviations right of the norm?
testing
By some miracle I managed to get up early enough to get to Toritsudai and attend am practice. Even had about 40 minutes all by myself in front of the mirror when everyone was eating lunch. Only 13 people tested for shodan and nidan, including Presley-kun. Thankfully everyone passed, though Ando-sensei had about 3 million points to make after the test.
Niina-gosoke was suffering from hay fever and stressing over the cost of remodelling the honbu dojo, trying to figure out how to cut the price down ("We'll put in the mirrors ourselves!") so after the test I went home to discover that Hiroko had succeeded in the string bean mision and had made a giant batch of mama's famous carmelized-onions-and-string-beans fake chopped liver dip. Don't worry about how strange that sounds, trust me it's stunningly good.
She also cooked up a storm as is the Sunday evening tradition, so we ate like royalty and watched dumb Japanese tv.
Niina-gosoke was suffering from hay fever and stressing over the cost of remodelling the honbu dojo, trying to figure out how to cut the price down ("We'll put in the mirrors ourselves!") so after the test I went home to discover that Hiroko had succeeded in the string bean mision and had made a giant batch of mama's famous carmelized-onions-and-string-beans fake chopped liver dip. Don't worry about how strange that sounds, trust me it's stunningly good.
She also cooked up a storm as is the Sunday evening tradition, so we ate like royalty and watched dumb Japanese tv.
apartments
Did some errands in the morning and then Shimizu-chan from Roy Organization picked us up and we went to look at a bunch of apartments. The first one, in Mita, was the owner's own place on the top floor of a slick building. Stunning view; Tokyo Tower, private club's Japanese garden, 270 panoramic with nothing coming even close to the apartment's 16th floor. However, it was definitely a single-guy pad. Huge bathroom with window that looked into the living room (for unobstructed views), a steam sauna, a window in the bedroom looking into the tatami room next to it (again for unobstructed views), and one giant, square main room. With stunningly tacky furniture. Nice, for someone, but not us.
Next was Chanex; actually quite a killer apartment: huge balcony, huge carpeted master bedroom with huge walk-in closet, huge kitchen with all GE appliances, huge carpeted living-dining room, and all the trimmings like central air, oven, fridge, washer/dryer. Alas, the bathroom was one of those horrible unit-baths: a solid piece of molded plastic for the wallsfloorceilingsinktoiletshowertub. Totally out-of-place and just ruined the whole apartment.
After that we checked out a typically nice Japanese place right behind Ebisu Garden Place (a bit TOO close to work.) It was perfectly normal; air-conditioner in every room, dark wood doors and trim, nice Japanese bath. Narrow stair climb up to the 2nd floor entrance, quite residential neighborhood, nice Japanese "system kitchen" (no oven.) Not thrilling at all, but Hiroko liked it.
Then we saw an old apartment on the 9th floor of an old mansion (condo building). One of these typical old-school Japanese half-ass buildings: nice lobby, elevator up to 9th floor, then walk outside past all the front doors (like a motel.) Problem was this apartment was on the very end, and the overhead ended just before the front door, meaning in the rain you'd have to open your umbrella again just to get into your front door. Big place, but...strange. Huge roof balcony, except for the giant air-vent right in the middle, making the whole space impractical. Big main room with a ceiling split at inopportune places with massive ceiling beams. Two carpeted rooms, plus a 'walk-in closet' which was just a third small, windowless room (no racks for clothing or anything.) Typical nice bathroom. The kitchen was big and old; a long metal counter with a sink at one end, the stove at the other, and basically some old-school cabinets and a bunch of open space, in the middle of which must go the refrigerator.
Then we checked out a bunch of apartments in Roppongi. Location was right across the street from Roppongi Hills, and was kind of noisy. Apartments were okay; spacious, two bathrooms (one in the master bedroom) that were typical western toilet/shower/bath/sink but not horrible unit baths, and for some reason all the closets had locks with keys (but none of the internal doors had locks.)
Finally we headed to Motoazabu, a short walk from Azabujyuban, to check out Casa Blanca. As expected, it was white. The entrance hall echoed madly and even had a stained-glass window, adding to the church-like experience. Stepping through the front door there's a monstrous genkan (entrance hall) with cool wooden doors covering mountains of closet space. Then through a big glass door into the carpeted main living-dining. Huge, south facing, and lovely. The kitchen was...odd. Orange floor, red tiles, white cabinets that were probably original, washer and dryer, stove and oven that were definitely new. The first bathroom had brown wallpaper that could only be called heinous. The two bedrooms were carpeted and spacious, with good closet space, too. The bathroom was blue-tiled; sink, toilet, sunken recess with shower, and sunken tub. Could seriously use at least a shower curtain. The balcony stretched from the main room around to the master bedroom. It was spacious enough, but only accessible by climbing out the window. Central air, excellent light, I loved it. Hiroko would have nothing to do with it: kitchen and bathroom were unacceptable, carpet color and bathroom wallpaper NG. Location was perfect, size was great...oh well.
I love looking at apartments. Hiroko absolutely hates it, but she must realize by now that if she doesn't actively participate in the process we'd end up in Casa Blanca and she'd have to kill me.
Next was Chanex; actually quite a killer apartment: huge balcony, huge carpeted master bedroom with huge walk-in closet, huge kitchen with all GE appliances, huge carpeted living-dining room, and all the trimmings like central air, oven, fridge, washer/dryer. Alas, the bathroom was one of those horrible unit-baths: a solid piece of molded plastic for the wallsfloorceilingsinktoiletshowertub. Totally out-of-place and just ruined the whole apartment.
After that we checked out a typically nice Japanese place right behind Ebisu Garden Place (a bit TOO close to work.) It was perfectly normal; air-conditioner in every room, dark wood doors and trim, nice Japanese bath. Narrow stair climb up to the 2nd floor entrance, quite residential neighborhood, nice Japanese "system kitchen" (no oven.) Not thrilling at all, but Hiroko liked it.
Then we saw an old apartment on the 9th floor of an old mansion (condo building). One of these typical old-school Japanese half-ass buildings: nice lobby, elevator up to 9th floor, then walk outside past all the front doors (like a motel.) Problem was this apartment was on the very end, and the overhead ended just before the front door, meaning in the rain you'd have to open your umbrella again just to get into your front door. Big place, but...strange. Huge roof balcony, except for the giant air-vent right in the middle, making the whole space impractical. Big main room with a ceiling split at inopportune places with massive ceiling beams. Two carpeted rooms, plus a 'walk-in closet' which was just a third small, windowless room (no racks for clothing or anything.) Typical nice bathroom. The kitchen was big and old; a long metal counter with a sink at one end, the stove at the other, and basically some old-school cabinets and a bunch of open space, in the middle of which must go the refrigerator.
Then we checked out a bunch of apartments in Roppongi. Location was right across the street from Roppongi Hills, and was kind of noisy. Apartments were okay; spacious, two bathrooms (one in the master bedroom) that were typical western toilet/shower/bath/sink but not horrible unit baths, and for some reason all the closets had locks with keys (but none of the internal doors had locks.)
Finally we headed to Motoazabu, a short walk from Azabujyuban, to check out Casa Blanca. As expected, it was white. The entrance hall echoed madly and even had a stained-glass window, adding to the church-like experience. Stepping through the front door there's a monstrous genkan (entrance hall) with cool wooden doors covering mountains of closet space. Then through a big glass door into the carpeted main living-dining. Huge, south facing, and lovely. The kitchen was...odd. Orange floor, red tiles, white cabinets that were probably original, washer and dryer, stove and oven that were definitely new. The first bathroom had brown wallpaper that could only be called heinous. The two bedrooms were carpeted and spacious, with good closet space, too. The bathroom was blue-tiled; sink, toilet, sunken recess with shower, and sunken tub. Could seriously use at least a shower curtain. The balcony stretched from the main room around to the master bedroom. It was spacious enough, but only accessible by climbing out the window. Central air, excellent light, I loved it. Hiroko would have nothing to do with it: kitchen and bathroom were unacceptable, carpet color and bathroom wallpaper NG. Location was perfect, size was great...oh well.
I love looking at apartments. Hiroko absolutely hates it, but she must realize by now that if she doesn't actively participate in the process we'd end up in Casa Blanca and she'd have to kill me.
slow and lame
Finally made it to Gosoke's friday evening practice -- haven't gone in a while because of snowboarding. Realized yet again just how painfully slow and lame I am, especially compared to Ohtsuka-san and everyone else who goes every week and practices every day. Luckily it's not a competition, but I'm bummed at how hard it is to progress, especially when I spend all my time teaching.
Also need to motivate Ted (actually Ted has to motivate his artist-hippie dude) to get my new sword furniture made so that I can get a new handle made. This short handle is killing me as I shred all the skin off my left thumb from having too small a grip.
Will be very psyched when the Honbu Dojo is open in April. At least then I'll have a place to practice on my own whenever I have time. However Gosoke's grand plans have to considerably scaled down; the interior reform costs are way higher than we can afford. Probably have to forget the tatami and all the nice touches, just stick to the useful basics like a good wooden floor and high ceiling. We'll also probably put up the mirrors ourselves; tenth the cost of having the professionals do it.
Also need to motivate Ted (actually Ted has to motivate his artist-hippie dude) to get my new sword furniture made so that I can get a new handle made. This short handle is killing me as I shred all the skin off my left thumb from having too small a grip.
Will be very psyched when the Honbu Dojo is open in April. At least then I'll have a place to practice on my own whenever I have time. However Gosoke's grand plans have to considerably scaled down; the interior reform costs are way higher than we can afford. Probably have to forget the tatami and all the nice touches, just stick to the useful basics like a good wooden floor and high ceiling. We'll also probably put up the mirrors ourselves; tenth the cost of having the professionals do it.
karaoke
Good thing I just went home, ate, and slept last night! Seems the team was out for dinner, karaoke, and ramen, and didn't get in until 4:30am.
Folks started straggling in late-morning, looking and sounding like ass. Hani's comment: "I don't think Brad's been out until 4am since college." He's such a trooper. Moka's morning email was cute, too: "Overslept. Be in soon." I told him "Dude, it's not like you forgot to set your alarm clock, you were out drinking until 4 am! I didn't exactly expect y'all to make it in, that's why I came in early." He's still got quite a bit to learn about moring-after excuses.
Folks started straggling in late-morning, looking and sounding like ass. Hani's comment: "I don't think Brad's been out until 4am since college." He's such a trooper. Moka's morning email was cute, too: "Overslept. Be in soon." I told him "Dude, it's not like you forgot to set your alarm clock, you were out drinking until 4 am! I didn't exactly expect y'all to make it in, that's why I came in early." He's still got quite a bit to learn about moring-after excuses.
last practice
With testing on Sunday, this was the last chance to run Takahashi-san and Presley-kun through practice. Nakayama-kun cranked on Presley-kun; poor guy, but Nakayama-san knows his stuff. His best quote: "I don't mean to brag, but I know of what I speak. After all, I'm one of the only members to have failed the shodan test!"
Also had three visitors checking out class so Sekido's wife gave them the explanation. First two guys where students at the dental college down the street, who probably just wanted to check it out but had no real interest in making a commitment to practice. Third guy was most likely a spy. He said he practices Eishinryu, so he's most likely ZNKR (All Japan Kendo Federation). We get spies every now and then checking us out; how many members do we have, what/how do we teach, etc. We had 4 4dan instructors in class so at the very least I think we gave him the impression that if they were thinking of doing some "dojo-busting" they'd be in for a tough time.
Also had three visitors checking out class so Sekido's wife gave them the explanation. First two guys where students at the dental college down the street, who probably just wanted to check it out but had no real interest in making a commitment to practice. Third guy was most likely a spy. He said he practices Eishinryu, so he's most likely ZNKR (All Japan Kendo Federation). We get spies every now and then checking us out; how many members do we have, what/how do we teach, etc. We had 4 4dan instructors in class so at the very least I think we gave him the impression that if they were thinking of doing some "dojo-busting" they'd be in for a tough time.
pullin' teeth
Nice weather from the weekend went somewhere in a hurry. Wasn't too cold, but wasn't exactly warm either, and the cold wind didn't help. Visitor from NY at work this week so pretty busy, and then practice after work -- bunch of folks testing this weekend so ran through a fake test and schooled on some of the finer points.
Came back and Hiroko had her upper left wisdom tooth in a little bag on the coffee table. Seems it came out with no problem, but the upper left one might be more trouble as it's in kinda crooked, and that's the side that got kind of messed up when she got hit by some idiot on a bicycle all those years ago. The lower wisdom teeth are a whole different issue. Getting those things out will require some gnarly surgery. Don't even wanna think about it.
Came back and Hiroko had her upper left wisdom tooth in a little bag on the coffee table. Seems it came out with no problem, but the upper left one might be more trouble as it's in kinda crooked, and that's the side that got kind of messed up when she got hit by some idiot on a bicycle all those years ago. The lower wisdom teeth are a whole different issue. Getting those things out will require some gnarly surgery. Don't even wanna think about it.
nozawa sun and no snow
Well the weather continued to be fine, but the snow sucked and the gondola lifts were closed due to strong winds. I braved the lines for 45 minutes to get one slushy, crappy run in before calling it a day.
Most folks came back from karaoke between 1 and 4 in the morning, so they weren't really into the concept of hitting the mountain anyway.
We packed up our stuff, sent gear to Niseko in Hokkaido, and went into town. Took the Sketchy Chairlift down into town and hit the onsen before grabbing the bus back to Nagano station. Very cool town; steep narrow streets with old, local onsen all over the place. Hana-chan tried one of the little local onsen, and we headed up to one of the bigger ones near a hotel.
Made it back down to the bus stop and by 1:30 everyone made it on the bus -- no one bothered to stay the whole day.
Back at Nagano we knew we couldn't change our tickets so we just took over a non-reserved car on an earlier train, made nasty faces whenever anyone tried to sit near us, and we were back in Tokyo by 5pm.
Most folks came back from karaoke between 1 and 4 in the morning, so they weren't really into the concept of hitting the mountain anyway.
We packed up our stuff, sent gear to Niseko in Hokkaido, and went into town. Took the Sketchy Chairlift down into town and hit the onsen before grabbing the bus back to Nagano station. Very cool town; steep narrow streets with old, local onsen all over the place. Hana-chan tried one of the little local onsen, and we headed up to one of the bigger ones near a hotel.
Made it back down to the bus stop and by 1:30 everyone made it on the bus -- no one bothered to stay the whole day.
Back at Nagano we knew we couldn't change our tickets so we just took over a non-reserved car on an earlier train, made nasty faces whenever anyone tried to sit near us, and we were back in Tokyo by 5pm.
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