Nagano Adventures: part 1

My new friend and coworker Naomi and I took a 2 night/2 day trip to Nagano for the weekend! 

Chapter 1: Shinkansen

We started on Sunday afternoon right after work with a 40 minute train ride into downtown, from there an hour long local train to Omiya, and then an hour long shinkansen (bullet train) to the Japanese Alps and the 1998 Olympic city of Nagano.  Already we were getting along just fine, when we both agreed that we would have to buy our own box of chocolate covered almonds 

                           

Chapter 2:  Spending the Night

My Lonely Planet guide gave us a great suggestion of a place to stay in downtown Nagano. For only $25 a night, it was a very inviting backpackers' hostel. Unfortunately, the directions from the train station were not very clear, so we got rather lost along the way. In my feeble Japanese, we had to ask at a bakery for some help. First the store owner started drawing me a map, and then he just had one of his young workers walk us to the hostel- several blocks away! Thanks to the kindness of strangers.  The young owners of the hostel gave us great suggestions for places to visit and how to get around town!

  

               


Chapter 3: Snow Monkeys!
The entire reason for the trip to Nagano, was to visit the famous Japanese Macaques, also known as Snow Monkeys. A troupe of over 200 monkeys live in a special park all year long. In the wintertime, there is a hot springs where they spend most of the day preening, nursing, swimming, hanging out and snuggling. At night they sleep huddled together in the trees. These monkeys were not bothered at all by the gawking visitors who stuck massive camera lenses in their faces!
Rather remote we took another hour long train ride from Nagano to Yudanaka. From that station we took a local bus that wound its way up the mountainside for about 15 minutes. From there we hiked about 2.5 km into the snowy forest before arriving at the Snow Monkey Park. Take a look:

                                            

I just couldn't get enough of them! Observing the monkey behavior was so entertaining! I have probably about 50 more photos to share with you! I know, over kill, but let me know if you are as obsessed with them as I am and I will happily forward some more shots to you!

Chapter 4: Skinny Dipping

After all day in the snow and rain we ended with a wonderfully relaxing soak in an onsen near the train station. For those unfamiliar, Onsen are Japanese bath houses. They range in price- just like a spa would.  At this particular one, our entrance fee was included in our train ticket! Separated for men and women, you strip down and bathe in wonderfully hot baths- located in steamy rooms and in a private outdoor courtyard as well (between 39-41 degrees C). Afterwards there are public shower facilities and a vanity room- free shampoos, lotions and hair dryers. It felt heavenly!

Chapter 5: Slurping up Nabe!

For dinner that night we enjoyed Nabe! The waitress brings a bunsen grill to your table and the soup pot filled with a flavorful broth and an array of raw pork, veggies and tofu! You watch the soup cook and boil right at your table and then serve it up into your bowl! Absolutely delicious