A visit to old School Japan

Our travels yesterday came to a fruitful end, with our host meeting us at Nakatsugawa station and driving us 30 minutes to our Ryokan in the mountains. Lots of nerves all around as we try to do our best not to offend, but its certainly a big experience for us. First up is a bath, japanese style, outdoors viewing a waterfall. Amazing stuff! I mean I’ve already mentioned that I want to get myself a Japanese style bathroom, that didn’t hurt that idea any! Out of the bath and into samue ready for dinner, cooked with us around a charcoal fire

After all that (there was a lot of food there!) We settled in to watch an exciting game of rugby, before changing into yukata, and going to bed for the night in futons. These things were deep and soft so even being on the floor they were OK,but the quilts that go with them were chunky. It led to an interesting situation where you roast under the covers, but freeze as soon as any extremity leaves the cocoon.

Breakfast the next morning was a more western affair eggs and toast and coffee, but our host intoduced us to the popo fruit, which to me tasted like a creamy mango. All fueled up and its time to hit the road, the forecast was for rain, but we were still up for taking the old postal track between megame and tsugamo. So jackets, brollys water and snacks in hand we went for one of the most beautiful walks in the woods I have ever partaken in.

We were also told that we might encounter a bear on our walk, and my brother was concerned at this prospect, but it seems ringing the bear bell was enough to keep things peaceful.

Finally home after our five hour trundle, time for a warming bath and a seat while we wait for dinner. Tonight was sukiyaki, which we’re sure we did it wrong, but still very tasty.