It’s 2011! I want to wish you a wonderful year ahead!
We spent New Year’s Eve at home, just the three of us, eating pizza and playing games. The day before, we just got back from two days vacation in Kusatsu, a small city in Gunma prefecture. It’s about 4 hours bus trip from Tokyo.
Kusatsu is popular for its hot springs with more than 100 onsen scattered around the small city. There is also a ski resort nearby.
I love taking a walk in small cities like this. Although small, there are lots of small hotels, ryokans, and restaurants in Kusatsu. There is a big hot spring at the center of the city with strong sulphur smell. It smelled like bad fart! Although I think there is no good fart anyway. But once got used to the smell, we dipped our tired feet in the hot foot bath. It was sooo good!
The next day we went to the ski resort and played slide all day. Sidra still didn’t want to try learning to ski although my husband had tried to encourage him. Maybe we’ll try again next year, I want to try too!
It was snowing the whole day we were there, the temperature was around -2 degrees Celsius. I think it was the coldest temperature I’ve ever experienced. It was really fun although I couldn’t imagine living surrounded by so many snow for months.
There is a small temple at the center of the city, it was called Kosen temple. Sidra swung the rope to ring the bell, calling the gods and prayed in front of one of the shrine. I love Japanese temples. It was kinda surreal to see all the cold statues covered in snow. Everything was white or frozen. So strange yet beautiful.
Sorry for the pictures-heavy post, I took like hundreds of pictures in Kusatsu, so many beautiful things! Several more pictures in my flickr album.
What lovely pictures! Looks like you guys had a great time!
We got snow here yesterday, about 3 inches. Not a normal occurrence for around here, so pretty much everything shut down for the day.
Happy New Year!
Really enjoyed seeing the photos. That looks like a fun place to visit.
Snow and hot feet must be a great combination
Great pictures! It’s so nice to see you guys had a great time
Wish you all the best in the 2011!
the snow is beautiful & u guys look like u had a lot of fun!, i hope we can visit oneday!!
Just wanted to say I love your blog! I discovered it randomly and now I’ve been reading through your archive and I’m trying to make the reversible bag. Today was my first time playing around with a sewing machine, to my mother’s amusement. :o)) Keep up the good work! Happy New Year! :o))
This is going up my to-go list for the new year!
Akemashite Omedeto! Seems like you guys had so much fun in Kusatsu! I heard that the place is pretty nice.
I like Sidra’s outfit:) He is so cute!!!
You all have a great New Year!!
It was a very pretty place! Lots of cute cafes too.
Sidra was very happy with all the snow and kept touching them
Wishing you a wonderful year ahead, Kayo!
I love your blog and love your pictures. How exciting, to get a glimpse of what it’s like on the other side of the world!
You just gave us a lovely idea for New Year’s Eve – boardgames!
Looks like you had a lot of fun! I live in the midwest of the US, so it’s kind of amusing that the coldest temperature you have ever been in is -2! It hasn’t been very cold this year, but last year we got to -18 C, I even had to be outside getting pictures taken for a wedding!
-18 C! I would be very miserable!
I came from tropical country and only have been living in 4 season country for almost 3 years, so snow and old temperature are still new things for me. I touched my first snow last winter! 😀
What a beautiful town! Makes me want to go visit Japan again.
that looks so great! oh, i love japan. all things japanese.. i’m a little geek. i’m even taking it in school!
hajimemashite, watashi wa carney kat desu! ;D not to mention i watch lots of anime.. haha!
arigatou gozaimasu <3
Hajimemashite! (^_^)/
I love being in Japan (I’ve only been living here for 3 years)!
Oh, looks like you had a very fun holiday! Those photos just shine on their own! Wish you and your family a happy, happy new year Novita!
Have a happy new year too Anette! ^_^
Looks like fun!!
I love that photo of Sidra with the snowball in his hand, looking very mischievous!
very lovely!