Well, I said that Yudanaka was all about the snow monkeys.  And it really was.  But there were also other highlights.  Sake taste  testing and an onsen experience, among them. Walking back through the town, we stopped at a sake testing room.  These sakes are only sold in Nagano Prefecture and, of course, we preferred … More Other Yudanaka Gems

Three train rides from Kyoto took us to Yudanaka, in the Nagano Prefecture.  And a return to the snow, which we had all missed in Kyoto.  Staying in a ryokan — or Japanese-style inn — added to the authenticity and charm of the Yudanaka experience. Yudanaka is all about the snow monkey experience.  Since seeing … More The Zen of Nature, Part III — the Snow Monkeys

I know, I know. I saw it on the tour itinerary and had thought about skipping the time with the maiko. As I envisioned it, the whole thing would either be so commercial that it would be offensive, or would glorify the industry so much that I would be offended. Either way, I was sure … More Trying to understand a geisha in training — a maiko

(Forgive me if you’ve been to Kyoto many times — my first, so I’m still gushing) To get from Sapporo (on the island of Hokkaido) to Kyoto (on the main island of Honshu), we walked to train station in Sapporo, took train to Chitose Airport, flew 2 hours to Kansai Airport in Osaka, took train … More No wonder people love Kyoto….

What a treat to have friends from Honolulu here in Sapporo at the same time we are!  Sharon and I connected with Susan Eichor and Susan Yamada, and we headed out on a day trip to Otaru.  A 45-min train ride to the town on the west coast of Hokkaido, known for its quaint architecture, … More Otaru, with the two Susans

I was like a kid at Disneyland for the first time, eyes big and full of wonder. As if the sculptures themselves weren’t fabulous enough, they create light shows on them at nighttime. There is a ski slope, ice skating rink, and a special snow park for the kids. Add in food booths full of … More The Sapporo Snow Festival

Coming in off the Sea of Okhotsk, a woman on this trip told me  that she feels happier than she has in a long time.  And I look at pictures of Sharon and me, and we look happy.  So, yes, there’s something about travel; but there’s also really something about being in nature, observing.  When … More The Zen of Nature, and Birds Part II

A silk base layer, a merino wool 2nd layer, fleece jacket and pants, snow pants, down coat, fur-lined snowboots, fleece-lined bomber hat with ear flaps, a blue wool infinity wrap (for my neck, mouth,and nose), cramp-ons for the boots on ice, and heavy snow gloves (thanks for finding these, nephew Curtis!) — and I was … More On the Sea of Okhotsk

Part of this trip to Hokkaido — in addition to seeing the Sapporo Ice Festival — was to see rare birds only found in Northern Hokkaido.  Sharon is the birdwatcher, but I found it quite captivating, as well. The first find, in Tsurui in Kushiro, was the Tancho crane, or red-crowned Japanese crane, one of the … More Show Birds of Hokkaido, Part I

We arrived in Hokkaido yesterday, Monday Feb 6th (here).  Have never seen Sharon so excited as when we landed in a snowy winter wonderland at Kushiro Airport; and I have to admit it all looks magical. We bitched and moaned about having to put cramp-ons on our snow boots.  Wondered if our gloves would keep … More Show Monkeys in Japan