January 21, 2011 Nozawa Onsen
Hello everyone! I’m back.
Today’s post will be about a little trip I made in December to Nozawa Onsen. I went with a group of exchange students from Malaysia, Australia, India, etc, tagging along for that day’s schedule. It was great to talk to fellow foreigners after so long, and I was suprised to learn that English has become a bit difficult! Well, actually everything is the same, except for conversation. It’s hard to smoothly respond or build a rapport, and sometimes Japanese words come out. It’s wierd having to think so hard about what I want to say.
Anyhoo, on to Nozawa. Nozawa Onsen, or Nozawa Hot Springs is a small ski resort that sits up in the mountains around Nagano. We went to see the baths, where the snow monkeys are. The snow monkeys are known to bathe in the spring, and sometimes with people. They’re not shy, so we could get right up close. I ound them a bit goofy.
Here’s a shot of the town. We went for a little walk to a hot spring downtown, which is used to cook vegetables. We tried the veggies, and then shopped a bit on the way back.
Here’s a view on the way to the moonkehs. We didn’t actually go into those buildings, but it made a great picture, so I couldn’t resist.
And the moonkehs. Sorry, no super close up shots! The ones I took came out blurry, so this is the best I have. The pic above may be a bit small, ut you can make out the red faces. Some of them had really blue eyes. I was going to get a picture of the Snow Monkey Cam, but there was fog, and that pic, too, came out blurry. Oh well!
So, short post today, but I felt like I had to post or it would turn into famine-blog once again. I do have some good news! The next post will be the long-awaited and much-requested school post! Yes. So, hang on until then, everyone! I have a plan, that may involve some small souvenir prize. So anticipate!
Post-opening Image (as always) is Rising Sun by Enelo on DA. Visit him here: http://enelo.deviantart.com/
Tags: Exchange, Hot Springs, Japan, Life Abroad, Nagano, Nozawa Onsen
- 2 comments
- Posted under Japan, Life Abroad, Uncategorized
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Claire
said
haha so monkeys will jump in and join people taking baths? that’s so funny! are they friendly?
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erica
said
That ski resort looks ahhhmazing! Whilst I was doing (one of) my math midterms, I was thinking of our time spent together last year in math class, doing most everything EXCEPT math. Ahhh Beta and his Trigonometrically Special family! I hope that your Gin is still quite Thinned!