Look out!! Coming through!!

Japan’s driving conditions just got increasingly dangerous (abunai in japanese) because I am now officially allowed to drive in this country!  Whoo hoo!! Anyone that knows my driving skills is probably shaking their heads thinking, “oh dear.” In fact, just the other week before leaving I somehow managed to get stuck on an “unimproved” road with a van full of flowers to be delivered. Why I was on an unimproved road aka 4 wheel track, I still don’t know. But hey, for as many tickets, flat tires and crazy situations I get myself into, I somehow manage to get myself out! The windy snow covered mountain roads, driving on the opposite side, using mirrors to see around the corners, and the language barrier are only minor details! HA

Ho Ho Ho!!

Santa had a very busy week here in Japan and was seen numerous times around the Norikura Village;

Santa delivering presents and singing Karaoke at the Old Folks home!

Santa hanging out with the children at Northstar’s family Christmas party.

Santa shredding the gnar at Mount Norikura!!  Rippin’ some pow!

Merry Christmas!!!

Rub-a-dub-dub 3 men in a tub!

Before leaving I was trying to get basic idea of the Japanese culture. My one friend who lived in Japan for a few years filled me in on a couple things. One of the most notable for me was about serving beer; first you serve everyone at the table, then someone serves you, then when everyone is ready, you drink together. She went on to talk about how it differs from the independent, self-driven North American culture, and that everything is done in community. Little did I know that meant showering too……

Ah yes... the Ofuro! The ofuro is a traditional Japanese bath. The bath is dividing into two section- the changing room, and the bathing room. The changing room is your typical locker room- I like to think of this one as the YMCA membership plus edition!  The bathing area has showers to rise off with, buckets to sit on, mirrors and of course the ofuro (tub ) itself.  The bath holds 3 or 4, is much deeper and the water is a lot hotter. Basic rules are that you clean yourself, then go soak, and hang out- just like a hot tub! At first I felt like I was going swimming at a public pool. Actually much of the same rules apply… must rise off first, no jumping in and slippery when wet!  See hilarious carton depiction of rules- I’m not sure what the bottom left one is... no farting in the tub?! (Hahahahahahah)  

I found this description and kept getting awful images of a business trip gone wrong;

“Japanese people look at bathing as a social activity.  Many parents bathe with their children, enjoying the experience and feeling it builds better relationships between family members.  Even co-workers might bathe together when they go to an onsen resort on a company junket, or when they visit a hotel's sento public bath during a business trip.”

Hmmm….Personally I’m still not exactly sure how I feel about it but I must say that it is pretty sweet after a long day of riding!

Travel by Numbers

Toronto to Tokyo:  6351 miles

Tokyo to Northstar: 6 hr. drive

Movies watched: 2.5  

Hours delayed: 3

# of times being the annoying window seat person: 4

Total hours traveling: 26

Numbers of tears: HA not telling!

Number of vending machines at rest stop in Japan:  46+

AHhh, here at last! After a bit of a rough start with a medical emergency on board our flight, we had to turn around on the run way and were delayed 3 hrs. This was a little confusing as I had fallen asleep during the safety video (oops!) and was expecting to wake up half way to Tokyo.  This was not the case, so I ended up watching a full movie before we even left the ground. Oh well.

After a couple gravol, I was out like a light and slept through most of the flight. We arrived here in the evening and since it was so dark I didn’t get to see much of the sights and sounds during our drive.  Not until we hit the rest stop that is! This is when I had my first real Japanese experience!  It was similar to any other rest stop just way better, brighter and way more bedazzled!  I still can get over the washrooms; first off heated seats, followed by a control panel!  Yes a control panel- flushing sound music, bidet, spray, volume control, water pressure control!  Basically the Rolls Royce of public washrooms and I must say it’s a giant step up from the squatter and poop hose found in other Asian countries.   After that I decided to hit up one of the 50 vending machines for some water, but was distracted by the millions of different flavours of drinks, and the one that was severing a “hot meal.”