Last week I discovered these amazingly cute and tasty biscuits. So today we went and bought more and I wore my matching leggings to show them to you guys hehe.
B was a bit annoyed he couldn’t eat them while I took photos 🙂
Posts Tagged With: overseas
Things that Mel does in Japanese supermarkets….
Categories: Japan Snow Trip
Tags: asia, hirafu village, holiday, Japan, japanuary, niseko, overseas, panda, panda biscuits, snow, snow trip, supermarket, tourist
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Day 8: the onsen experience from a beginners point of view
Okay the official definition of an onsen according to the internet is: noun
1. (in Japan) a hot spring, or a resort that has developed around a hot spring.
My definition is: a place where people get naked, awkwardly try not to look at each other’s bits and sit in warm water.
I was very nervous about the onsen experience coming over here. When B told me about them (and that he had done it!) I was very surprised, he’s a pretty private kinda guy so I couldn’t imagine him getting his junk out in front of a bunch of guys. Actually, I can’t imagine him taking his shirt off to swim….let alone the rest! Haha. He informed me “when in Japan….”
Anyway, so first step is you go find an onsen. We are in a tourist area so they are generally attached to a hotel. The one we have been frequenting is the niseko Weiss hotel one which is pretty sweet and the driver from or accommodation does a pick up/drop off there every night.
You have to pay to go in – anywhere between 600-1000¥ for a tourist one. We have been paying half price which is 385¥ each. The first thing you see is the boy girl split which is pretty firm. There are mixed onsens (and private couples ones) but they aren’t as common and I’ve yet to see one.
After you go through the little door you take off your shoes. This is pretty important, as with most places in Japan.
This is the last photo I could take with my camera for obvious reasons. You go into the little change room and put all your stuff in a basket or pigeon hole. I mean all of it. You strip all the way down!
Then you go through to a wash area. Both onsens I’ve been to here have the wash area next to the bath. So you sit at a little chair and use the shower hose and provided soap to wash ALL OF YOU. I am pretty sure you are meant to each your hair but I’ve noticed a lot of westerners don’t so I just wait and see what other people in there are like….if it is all japanese ladies I wash my hair. Which is a pain because they only have 2 hair dryers so my bath time becomes limited. When you’re 100% clean you can go in the bath 🙂 this is a photo of the indoor one we have been using (pretty sure this is the ladies side based on the angle):
There’s a cool bath (37C) a warmer bath (42C) and then a small foot bath. There’s also a steam room. Most onsens have an outdoor pool which is hotter than the indoor ones and out in the snow. This is definitely the female side as B tells me the male side has no view:
I sat out in this one for 30mins on my own tonight. Just lovely.
So my first onsen experience was a bit scary but now I’m used to it. I actually enjoy it! The biggest issue I’ve had is my tattoo on my right shoulder which is a big no no in Japan (only yakuza have tattoos). We have found a way around it though….I just loop my towel over my shoulder and make sure when I sit down and put the towel on the rocks, my back is always to the rocks and away from angry Japanese ladies.
Categories: Japan Snow Trip
Tags: asia, convert, getting naked with everyone, holiday, Japan, japanuary, niseko, onsen, onsen newbie, overseas, snow, snow trip, trauma
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Day 7: naps all round? I think so!
Today’s schedule:
– wake up and switch off alarm
– wake up again an hour later and venture down for some breakfast
– nap
– wake up and look at snow falling
– nap some more
– more snow looking
– noodles for lunch. Very proud I was offered a fork but took the chopsticks instead!
– more napping
– more looking at beautiful snow
– realise we have no idea what day it is (FYI it’s totally Saturday) and feel quite fine with this
– order in dinner
– early to bed after watching some more ridiculous Japanese TV
Rest days are wonderful inventions. In fact, holidays are wonderful inventions!
Here’s some photos of authentic Japanese fish and chips complete with Japanese newspaper (hahaha) and snow 🙂
Categories: Japan Snow Trip
Tags: asia, holiday, Japan, japanuary, niseko, overseas, snow, snow trip
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Day 6: Snow snow snow and sushi trains!
Today started off very foggy. We caught the shuttle from Hanazono 308 to Hirafu and went down some beginner runs – my first real attempt at powder! The fog was pretty off putting for me though as I can’t tell how far away people are and collisions become a bit more likely. Lunch was weird pastry things (bread and I don’t get along so I may have relied on a kit Kat) and then we skied back over to Hanazono. I was pretty proud to be able to ski from one base to the other, especially as part of it was on an intermediate run!
Back at Hanazono B went down a harder run and I stayed on a green but came a cropper on a tree root so gave up for the day and walked back to our inn. Headaches + snow = Mel being no fun. I came back about 3pm and had a rest then we headed back to niseko Weiss onsen (so warm, so relaxing) and off to Yoteimaru for tea!
Yoteimaru is a sushi train restaurant which B was really looking forward to. I was not as excited since it is 99% raw fish on the menu and I don’t eat seafood but I wanted to go for the experience.
Inside was pretty cool with a little waiting room and then you get your designated spot on the train. Prices are just based on what plates you pick. Altogether we had quite a few plates (I was able to order some dumplings and also eat the cucumber sushi rolls….so 3 of these plates are mine!):
Here’s B chowing down on some sashimi. Icky. Raw fish. Just….icky.
And finally here is a collection of my bruises to date! Both knees and a huge shiner on my shin which I’m sort of proud of haha 🙂
Categories: Japan Snow Trip
Tags: asia, holiday, Japan, japanuary, niseko, overseas, snow, snow trip, sushi, sushi train
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Day 5: more ramen! And snow (of course)
So the day started early and the scenery outside the inn was looking amazing. Simply amazing. No other word for it.
Within the first run down Hanazono though I managed to lose my right ski glove (there one minute, caught in a gust of wind the next) and also was having serious issues with my boots. My left foot kept going completely numb which meant I would go to turn and just fall on my ass. After buying new gloves (uhhh money) we decided to catch the lifts up Hanazono and the ski down through To Hirafu. This seemed like a good idea….until my foot stayed numb and I just kept falling over. Not only that but visibility basically disappeared and by the time we finally made it to the base I was pretty stressed out. So I sent B off to board on his own (so he gets to do fun stuff) and made my way into the village to go to Rhythm Snow Sports who have boot fitters on site, by the time I made it (walking in ski boots, on ice, down a 45 degree incline) I was….not a happy snow panda.
The guy at the snow sports place was awesome though. He helped me work out why my legs were hurting so much, gave a few suggestions to alleviate the numbness (heel lifts) and also made me feel like I wasn’t a complete moron for being stressed out. I was with him for over an hour and he only charged me for the heel lifts as well as offering to help me again if I have the same issues tomorrow. So now I was feeling happy again and caught the shuttle back to Hanazono, then met up with B and we came back to the inn. Here’s a photo of us taking selfies at Hirafu hahaha or getting ready to rob a bank….
After we got back the inn folk drove us up to the niseko Weiss hotel which has an onsen inn guests are allowed to access for half price (only ¥335). It was beautiful. This was literally it, although this is a day time pic and we went at night (can’t take photos in there because of all the nakies):
Tonight we went to Nakama for dinner again! Same place as our first night but this time I was determined to try their famous ramen. It lived up to the reputation.
We also had gyoza dumplings and kimchi dumplings which were a house specialty (spicy outer). I think I am a little obsessed with ramen and dumplings at the moment – this is the 3rd meal of ramen I’ve had in 24hrs!
We were waiting for our driver and feeling a little guilty about sitting in a small family restaurant and not ordering more so this conversation happened:
B: we could order icecream
Me: I can’t. I can’t fit anymore in.
B: but icecream is just like water – right?
*loosens his belt a notch*
So we had icecream.
At the end of the meal they gave us some super cute New Years charms and I told the chef his meal was “oishedesu” (excuse spelling) which means delicious! I was pretty proud of that. Also proud I can count to ten in Japanese and B can’t hahahaha….thank you year 7 japanese classes!
Another day in the snow tomorrow, here’s hoping the heel lifts help and my leg stays awake this time 🙂
Categories: Japan Snow Trip
Tags: asia, holiday, Japan, japanuary, niseko, overseas, ramen, ramen addict, snow, snow trip
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Day 4 cont’d – Mmmm ramen!
So after lots of napping and resting we decided to actually leave the inn for the first time today and go out to dinner at Nakama again (same place from our first night) and try their signature dish – ramen! Unfortunately it is New Year’s Day so they were closed. Boo!
Instead, the inn recommended we try Aji no tokedai which is a noodle house near Kutchan with the added advantage of being next to a supermarket so I could grab some snacks.
This was my first go at sitting in the traditional style and I did pretty well….until my foot went completely numb and I had to jiggle around like a ninny. B failed miserably and I spent about half the meal laughing at him awkwardly trying to not fall on the floor or kick over the table. He was also wearing jeans which didn’t help!
I had Japanese pork ramen with miso and it looked (and tasted) delicious.
B had chilli ramen but not too spicy and that looked really good as well, we also split some dumplings. I love dumplings. I could live solely off dumplings.
After dinner we walked over the the Max Valu supermarket and attempted to work out what Japanese foods were what. As you can see our shopping basket was full of amazingly healthy things…..
Early night tonight in preparation for a full day back on the snow tomorrow!! Hope you all had a wonderful first day of 2014 🙂
Categories: Japan Snow Trip
Tags: asia, holiday, Japan, japanuary, niseko, overseas, ramen, ramen addict, snow, snow trip
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Day 3 & 4 – NYE in Hirafu!
I woke up sick from exhaustion and dehydration on day 3 so B went out to board and I slept/watched the snow fall. He came back about 1:15pm with lunch (which consisted of a kit Kat, snickers bar and potato chips….boys….) and then we had more rest time before getting ready for our fancy NYE dinner at Kamimura. The restaurant chef has a Michelin star and they offer a 9 course degustation with paired wines. The chef even came out at the end of the meal to thank us for eating there! It was weird they had no Japanese waitstaff though, all Australian, British or Irish.
We had some very fancy celebratory champagne to start and then enjoyed the wine and food. I enjoyed the wine a lot. A lot. Maybe a little too much…
After dinner we wandered through lower Hirafu village where I found a new best friend (clearly an Australian built this snowman):
Then we found a tiny bar (after giving up on the bar we were actually searching for called the barn) and I drank sake. And cocktails. Oh, and an 18 year old hit on me which was very creepy (B says I also need to add I was very chuffed here hahaha).
We made it to midnight! Today I’m suffering a bit though :p no more sake for me! Damn B has pulled up fine. Ass.
Good things it is a blizzard for day 4 so today is another nap/recover/read/onsen day 🙂
Categories: Japan Snow Trip
Tags: 2013, asia, couples fun, holiday, Japan, japanuary, niseko, NYE 2013, overseas, snow, snow trip
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Day 1 & 2 – Hirafu
Travelling – well that sucked. All the trips ran on perfect time though (and as you can see, Percy and I thoroughly enjoyed the business lounge in Sydney):
After about 30hrs of travelling we arrived at the Hirafu Welcome Centre where one of the guys who works at our accommodation came to pick us up. There are only about 6 staff here and they are all very nice, although to me they sometimes seem a bit disorganised. I say “to me” because I am a bit annoying when it comes to organisation :p
We arrived about 4pm that first day and literally just collapsed. Knowing that the worst thing to do is give in to jet lag/no sleep and then give in to tiredness we went out for tea. They have a system here where the driver takes you wherever you want to go and picks you up whenever as well, it works pretty well. This is because Freedom Inn is located about a 600m walk from Hanazono Base and not actually on the village side. The first night the staff recommended Nakama which is a tiny little restaurant in a side street with NO ENGLISH. Haha baptism by fire.
Lots of pointing and nodding finally resulted in this which was pretty amazing after only eating mentos and one chicken stick thing all day:
This was the view driving from the airport to the village (which took about 2hrs) and frankly…was amazing.
Annnnnd this is the view from our room for the next 12 days!
So that was day 1. We made it to 8:14pm and then crashed and burned.
At 7am the next morning we were up bright and early (and pretty bushy tailed after a good 11hrs sleep, even for me which is unheard of) and enjoyed the free breakfast provided by the inn. Then we sorted out my hire skis and were off on the slopes. There’s no proper practice area in Hirafu so I has just had to start on a green run which was a bit traumatic, I fell over a lot. These runs are groomed so the snow only has some powder and the only time I fell over was when I went near the powder!
By lunch time my legs were starting to shake so we stopped for food. Hanazono was extremely busy because 6 out of 10 lifts were closed on the mountain so people had limited options to go up higher (too windy). Here are some photos of both of us being complete idiots on soft powder:
It was amazing! Haha B just literally launches himself head first into it which is hilarious to watch.
By 2pm my legs had completely given out but my skiing had improved a lot. We walked back to the hotel, had a rest and then went to an onsen! My first naked experience. I was a bit freaked out going in but I was very relaxing to sit in a hot bath for an hour and I really enjoyed it. We walked down through central Hirafu after and into A-bu-cha which is a renowned restaurant that has a one month booking list. Our hotel suggested we try it since there were only 2 of us and we got lucky, we were seated after only 20mins wait.
I had my first taste of sake which I actually really liked:
We are what they are famous for at his place, which was a hot pot. Ours was a spicy pork and vegetable one and it was delicious. They put all the raw ingredients on the little hot plate and then it boils and cooks it all.
After dinner we were in bed by about 9:30pm again. I am technically writing this on day 3 and am not sure how today will go. I have been awake since 1am with a splitting headache, leg cramps and feeling really nauseous so I may have a day in bed while B actually gets to go out and play in the red and black trails (which he can do and I can’t). I’ll see how I am in an hour or two when he wakes up.
Categories: Japan Snow Trip
Tags: asia, holiday, Japan, japanuary, niseko, overseas, snow, snow trip
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One more sleep!
All packed and ready to go! Percy is ready for lots of nephew cuddles at the airport tomorrow 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Only three more sleeps….
Mel's Travel Blog 