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New Year 2010 in Shakuji Park

First off, Happy New Year!  Me and SY have been taking it easy since getting back from a busy four days of onsen and haikyo in Kyushu. We watched a bunch of movies (City Slickers, Scrooged, Edward Scissorhands, When Harry Met Sally) and the K-1 fighting that was on last night, while eating left-over turkey. Basically we stayed indoors for two days. Today we decided to get out, and headed to Shakujii Park in Nerima ward, famous for its two duck ponds.

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Win a copy of ‘To Japan With Love’

About 2 years ago my friend JC put me in touch with a publishing company called Things Asian Press who were looking for contributors for a new guide book to Japan. I went ahead and contacted them, offering some of my haikyo adventures from my website. Soon after I received word from the editor that they were interested in publishing one of the stories- my overnight stay at Sports World- plus they were interested in the story of my cycle trip up Mt. Mitake.

Well, I was very pleased, and said sure, go right ahead. Now, 2 years later, the book has gone to press and will be released to sale in the next few weeks. I received my 6 contributors copies today, and would like to offer one of them as a prize in a competition!

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Izu’s Shirahama Beach

Going to Izu and digging holes on the beach is now a firm tradition with me. It started two years ago, when a motley group of frisbee friends and I packed up our rental cars and went to dig and surf and camp on the beach. The second year was a smaller group but we did basically the same things. This year I went without the group (with SY), didn’t camp on the beach, but made certain to get down to Shimoda to dig a big hole.

Perhaps you’d like to see a few other holes I’ve dug?

March 08 Shimoda

August 08 Kugenuma Beach

Hmm, before last year I guess I wasn’t keeping records.

The next hole I dig will be less of a hole and more of a castle, I think. I’ll dig a big moat, then see how high I can raise the mound within it. One problem of hole-digging is when you hit water, you can’t really dig any deeper. The only limit to the size of a mound though is the base radius. I’m excited to see what I can come up with!

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Healing Villa Spa Resort

Last week one of my students told me about a great onsen/spa/resort he frequently visits, called Healing Villa, located somewhere in Chiba, with huge outdoor pools, a great big sauna, and an overall healing and chilled-out vibe. I’m all in favor of those things, had a weekend coming with no plans, so decided to head off to check it out.

Generally I’m not one for spas, or massage, or any of that ‘relaxing, healing’ stuff. People in Japan often go on onsen holidays, and while I’ve always liked onsen myself, I could never imagine spending a whole day dipping in and out of hot water and not feeling like a bit of a fool. Well, the Healing Villa put that idea to the test. We didn’t stay a whole day, but for about 4 hours we were heated, soaked, cooled, and heated again, in the swimming pool, in the massive sauna room, in the various outdoor hot pools, and in the fridge room.

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Asahi Beer (Factory, Ibaraki)

Asahi Beer is the juice that Japan runs on- it fuels the salarymen and the office ladies alike, keeping them lean, mean, and ready to work 18 hour shifts until karoushi (death by over-work) drives them into the ground. Asahi is the beer in a silver can- its most distinguishing feature by far. Kirin and Sapporo in their gold and white cans with cluttered labeling scream respectively- ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ and ‘nothing to see here, move along’. Asahi Super Dry is where it’s at.

Asahi Factory Front.

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Scott and Makiko’s Wedding, Niigata

2 weeks ago my good friend Scott and his long-time girlfriend Makiko had a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony, in a hotel up in Niigata. I say ‘had a ceremony’ rather than ‘got married’ because of course- as things are done here in Japan- you get married first in secret at a local ward office, just by signing some papers. Then, when its too late for the parents to protest, you notify them that they’ll need to pay for the ceremony.

Hay-ah! How do you like that, parents?

I went up with some friends on the Shinkansen to attend. I’m on the left in the picture below, alongside Scott and Makiko.

Click ‘Read more…’ below for the full video and details.

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