Monkeying Around

As if visiting Mount Fuji, exploring Tokyo, and hanging out with Kate in Asia again weren’t already good enough to consider this vacation an amazing one…we got to have one of our top traveling experiences of a lifetime…VISITING THE JAPANESE MACAQUES!

We kept trying to get this little guy
to look at the camera, but he
was too interested in us

Kate, Jo (Kate’s co-worker), Jesse, and I all made our way to Nagano this last weekend to see the adorable, fluffy, playful, and at times a little frightening Japanese snow monkeys.  Jesse and I rode on an overnight bus and arrived at Nagano very early (4:30am) Saturday morning.  We hung out in the train station waiting for the sun to begin rising before we headed to a Zenkoji Temple.   We listened to the monks greet the new day by ringing bells, chanting, and bopping the visiting Buddhists on the head with a beaded necklace.  Who knows what exactly was going on, but it reminded me of something out of an Indiana Jones movie with all the chanting and smoke rising from all the incenses.  Not our style, but still neat to see and experience.   

No Jesse, you can't take a
Monkey home with us!

However, the best part of the day was getting on an early bus to head an hour outside of Nagano to visit the monkeys.  The trail was gorgeous and looked like a scene from a movie as we traversed our way up the mountain to get to the park.  Once at the park, the monkeys immediately greeted us and were ready for their pictures to be taken.  The park itself is very touristy, but it was the best tourist trap I have ever been to! 

Jesse and I spent the whole day chilling with the monkeys.  Taking turns using our camera or warming up in the main building by the wood burning stove.  We enjoyed watching the monkeys play around, roll/ fall down the steep mountain side, and sit in the hot spring. 

After we were done at the park, we headed back on the once peaceful and tranquil trail only to find it had turned into a death trap.  The beautiful snow covered trees that had captivated us were now dropping mini avalanches of snow from 40-50 feet in the air.  It was a little terrifying walking back and running every time you heard the branches begin to crack!  Thankfully we only got a light dusting of snow on our heads at times nor did we witness anyone getting hit and knocked out J 

It was another lovely weekend in Japan.  Our vacation is coming to an end, but we are happy with the way it has turned out and will continue to enjoy our last few days here in Asia. 

Mnt. Fuji-san

Last weekend, Jesse, Kate, and I ventured off towards the 5 lakes region near Mount Fuji.  It was a great weekend full of udon noodles, onigiri, sight-seeing, and fun!

 

Saturday:

1:00- Arrived at lake Kawaguchiko

1:00-3:00- Ate onigiri (Japanese rice balls) by the lake and wandered around trying to find Mnt. Fuji

3:00- Checked into our Ryoken and discovered a partial view of Fuji hidden by clouds

4:30- Jesse wandered off to attempt some sunset pictures (still no Mountain) while Kate and I wandered around looking for a good place to eat Udon noodles (fat noodles famous in the fuji area) and drank some hot lemon tea instead

6:30- Dinner at the train station!  For Jesse, Udon Noodles with horse meat.   For Kate and I, Udon Noodles with veggies.

8:00- Firework display over the lake including never before seen (by us) fireworks in the shape of cats, frogs, smiley faces, flowers, ghosts (?), and hearts.

Sunday:

6:00-  Jesse gets up for some sunrise pics (success! Clear skies)

7:00- Teresa gets up to try and find Jesse and ends up on a nice long, cold, walk around the lake with perfect views of Fuji

9:00-  All 3 of us travel to Lake Saiko by bus for more great views of Fuji and some spelunking

10:00-  Spelunking in an ice cave.  Pretty impressive and great price with our discount thanks to the fujigoko enjoy ticket!

11:30-  Arrived in an old traditional village with more awesome views of Fuji.  J and K explored, while I sat and sketched

12:45ish- Attempt #1 getting on the bus to head back to Lake Kawaguchiko… (no show)

1:15ish-  Attempt #2  to board the bus…(still no show)

1:30- Gave up waiting at the bus stop and walked towards a tour bus / large group of Asians taking pictures around the corner in the most BREATH TAKING, GORGEOUS, STUNNING, view of the Mountain we had seen yet.  Definitely worth 2 busses not showing up on schedule J

2:00- finished eating our snack/lunch on the shore of the lake and headed back to the bus stop for Attempt #3…  success! 

3:00-  Arrived back at the train/bus station with enough time to grab some more food at the 7 eleven and wait for our 4:00 departure back to Tokyo.

 

So what are the things that go into making a great weekend?

Getting to spend time with Kate and my husband: check.   

Getting to see Mnt. Fuji on a clear day: check

Capturing some great mountain shots:  check 

Going caving in yet another country: check

Once in a lifetime experience:  check!

Taste of Tokyo

 

 

We have been in Tokyo for close to a week and in that week we have discovered a few things…

 1. Japanese people are much different than Koreans.  Not a bad thing, but a lot more quiet and reserved

Eating WHALE!!

2.  Even though the culture tends to be reserved, individuals still find unique and weird ways of expressing themselves through their clothing (If I didn’t know any better, I would think it was Halloween everyday in certain parks/streets!) 

3.  The dogs in Tokyo dress just as strange as the people.  What is even stranger, is the dogs seem to enjoy wearing their sweater vests, leggings, and even sunglasses J

4.  Tokyo is busy…but not as busy as you would think for being the largest city in the world.  It is spread out far but not really built upward (because of earthquakes) that you can either find yourself in the world’s busiest intersection (been there and done that) or the only one in a peaceful back alley street. 

5.  Japanese food is WONDERFUL!  We never cared much for all the Korean creations they were put before us at meal times, but here in Japan they know what they are doing.

Last week Kate took us to one of her favorite restaurants in Shibuya, a sushi bar.  We never knew all the different ways sushi could be made!  Jesse nearly fell off his chair when he discovered the whale sushi on the menu.  We ordered our selection via a touch screen and then a toy train brought our food right up to our table- how is that for service?! 

 

Tokyo, we have been pleased so far with everything.  We are excited for what else is in store! 

Third Times the Charm...



stopping to eat lunch in an unknown location after
 getting lost in Kate's neighborhood

Well, we finally made it to Tokyo!  We weren’t sure we would make it, but we landed safely at Narita airport, navigated our way to Yoyogi Uehara subway station, and met up with our friend Kate Staples at the nearby Starbucks. 

We are enjoying Asia and in lots of ways it just feels like coming home to something familiar.  No culture shock.  No worrying about getting lost (been there and done that…we always manage to find our way).  And no frustration about the language barrier/lack of English (you just learn to go with the flow).

Honestly, the most anxiety we have had so far was still in America when I (Teresa) stupidly walked through a gate at the seattle airport, cutting me off from Jesse and our connecting flight to Tokyo.  Forget about the guard standing by the gate or all the “do not enter/ exit” signs.  Nooo, why would I pay any attention to those?  I was too concerned about finding the snack bar!  I am sure I looked pretty silly jumping up and down, waving my arms and trying to yell through the sound proof glass to let me husband know I had made a terrible mistake and couldn’t get back through.  I pleaded with the guard a little but to no avail I still needed to restart the process of checking into the airport, and going through all of security.  Thankfully the line wasn’t terrible long and we still had a good hour before boarding time, so all was well and we even made it to the united club in time to grab some snacks for the 10 hr. flight. 

So far so good!  I am feeling better (got sick Saturday morning).  Jesse has not gotten sick (phew!)  And it has been great catching up with the wonderful Kate Staples.  We are all 3 looking forward to continuing our adventures in Asia over the next few weeks J