Nozawa and Kiriya Ryoken

Today was a travel day out to Nagano prefecture to the little town of Nozawa. This is Maki's hometown, and as she says, it is indeed about the size of Chesterfield Valley's parking lot! Only with hills and mountains and very cute buildings and winding roads and hot sulphur springs, and therefore many times better than a parking lot.

We stayed the night in her parents' hotel, Kiriya Ryoken, and were treated royally with wonderful food and hospitality and hot sulphur spring soaking!

I would write more but I must go out and locate the place that sells soba ice cream before we leave...man have I eaten good on this trip. Tomorrow, though, starts the hardcore taiko practice and performance section of the trip. So next time you hear from me I'll probably be moaning about how I can't use my arms anymore.

Go see some pictures and videos from the day!