September 2011

Dog approves.

The highest JR track in Japan. Exciting? There were hella tourists there.

Wrap some salmon in foil, with a few tablespoons of sake and top with salmon roe and butter. Bake. Eat.

It took about 50 shots and a dozen sparklers, but we got it.

From the Venus Line in Nagano. Go there.

Foreigner nose.

Greatest campaign slogan ever.

"So, ummm, if you're gonna commit suicide, make sure you donate your organs!"

Can someone tell me how to use どうせ in daily conversation? New grammar.

Mountain Hut Living

Tent or no tent? Very few mountains in Japan are without a mountain hut. Basically a hotel you hike to. If you like travelling light, it is possible to do a week-long hike carrying nothing but clothes and snacks. The huts serve 2 square meals and have bathroom facilities. Nice!

Or is it? I have only stayed at a few before, and can say that they vary immensely. Some are bunk beds. Some are bunk beds where one mattress is shared by 2 people. Some are bunk beds where they leave out the mattress, and cram 3 into the same spot. Some will have you feeling that you have been Shanghaied and are on a slave galley to god knows where. The one universal truth is the snoring. Get ready for a symphony of old men to keep you up all night. Obviously I am not trying to sell you on mountain huts in Japan.

The food is a mixed bag of bits and pieces. Tasty, bento-style meals. I prefer more simple, hearty camp food, but this will do.

Korean snacks. Thanks Dr. You! (nothing to do with the mountain huts)

Prices have gone up since the last guide book. By the time you read this, expect to pay over $100 for 2 meals and a spot to sleep.

Another example of the food. Seriously, curry and rice would suffice.

If you go as a group, you can reserve a private room in many cases. This would be the only time I would be pro-huts. Being pressed up like cigarettes, on a rock hard "mattress", did not work in the least. Also, everyone officially wakes at 3am. I un-officially woke at 10pm, 11pm, 12am, 1am, 2am, and a few times in between. Seriously, the snoring.

Conversation had by the snoring old dudes at 2am:

Atsui desu ne.

So desu ne. Atsui desu.

Ima chotto atsui.

So ka, atsui desu yo.

Anata mo atsui desu ka?

So desu. Atsui desu ne.

Atsui da yo.

Enjoy your stay.

Yarigatake Hiking

槍ヶ岳

The mountain is iconic, often called the Matterhorn of Japan. But I prefer the literal translation of 槍... The Spear.

Most hike-in-Japan type guides recommend hiking early from the bus terminal in Kamikochi, ascending the mountain range one day, descending the next.

Hiking in Japan can be... challenging.

Enjoy the... trail?

Arrows and chains mean you are going the right way.

Meanwhile, down in Kamikochi, pretty ladies from Tokyo are walking around in high heels.

And back on the mountain, our hands are looking for solid rock to grab.

Terrifyingly amazing view.

Obviously, the sunrise ascent is a popular one.

A few hundred kilometers away, Mt. Fuji pokes out on the horizon. I should really get a zoom lens for these treks.

Check out this site for rad mountain stuff in Japan, including Yari.

Dragon Fruits of the Northern Alps

Somewhere, deep in the mountains of countryside Nagano.

The logical conclusion, to what sounds like some ancient local lore...

Dragon fruit ice cream.

Thanks... dragon and moon?

Weird Attractions in Izu

I planned on having a rad writeup about all the totally random attractions, theme parks, and dodgy bubble economy left overs in Izu. Timing was perfect. 3 weeks of summer camp work, with a random few days off in the middle. While the other staff would take the express rapid train back to Tokyo, I was going to slowly ride the bike around, camp, and visit 80s sex museums, ruined water parks, and turtleariums. All of which exist.

But a typhoon came for exactly the days I had off. So I too took said express rapid back to Tokyo. Upon my return, had a little bit of good weather, so the multi day tour was more like a few hours.

Anyways, here are a few oddities out of the many from the peninsula 150km from Tokyo. Enjoy!

Izu Animal Kingdom

Fairly standard, depressing zoo. But it has a...

... Shinto poo shrine? Elephant doodie if I recall.

メキシカンサンド - Mexican sandwich. A pita (?) pocket filled with taco meat and a chorizo. Hot! Spicy! New!

Some poor kid made an official wish at a shrine. The dream is to have an internet penpal. Why not include your mail address with the wish, T.S.? A no-brainer, ね?

Atagawa is rad!

Onsen vents all over the place. But is something special about this one?

Yes!

You can cook your own eggs in it. A natural hot spring dedicated to deliciousness.

温泉卵, them eggs were pretty damn tasty, with a little local sea salt on top.

Up above the onsen is a whole mountain covered with windmills.

But the highlight of Atagawa, in the South East of Izu is...

The Banana Alligator Farm. For like $20 you can check out a bunch of gators, then see banana trees. Thats about it. But it was still kick ass.

Not too crowded!

Souvenirs include a banana-croc-hybrid plush.

Rad banana ice cream.

And a plate of banana curry.

I will be back again, and when I do, I will be sure to hit up some enka music museums, wasabi farms, and other random things.

Izu... for when you did everything else.