10 days self drive in Hokkaido

[Jamesc]

Japan take things from other countries and improve it

but this one they should put red bean in the mochi to make it better.

Or maybe peanut or matcha or sesame?

[Wt_know]

with YEN going down .... 2024 ... no 40M no talk!

Edited January 18, 2024 by Wt_know

[Jamesc]

  On 1/18/2024 at 7:03 AM, Wt_know said:

with YEN going down .... 2024 ... no 40M no talk!

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I think you are right.

I think it will be closer to 40 than 25m

base on the surge in Sep, Oct, Nov last year.

[teomingern]

  On 1/20/2024 at 10:41 AM, Jamesc said:

I think you are right.

I think it will be closer to 40 than 25m

base on the surge in Sep, Oct, Nov last year.

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No Chinese no talk... I did see many Chinese in Japan but not in the numbers pre-COVID... so I just wonder if and when they'll be back given that the zero COVID policy has really damaged the economy to such an extent that China is struggling....

[Jamesc]

I am in Kawaguchiko this weekend it's all Taiwanese and I only 1 prc family.

  On 1/28/2024 at 5:07 AM, teomingern said:

No Chinese no talk... I did see many Chinese in Japan but not in the numbers pre-COVID... so I just wonder if and when they'll be back given that the zero COVID policy has really damaged the economy to such an extent that China is struggling....

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[Jamesc]

Japan is very nice this time of the year.

Please come I need the bonus.

Edited January 28, 2024 by Jamesc

[Jamesc]

Paid $57 each for wifey and MIL and me to see Zao Onsen snow monsters.

Heard it can take 1 hour to queue for cable car because of skiers.

On Friday only 1.3 cm of snow so skiers please don't take cable car today and pisste off!

[Jamesc]

For skiers I wouldn't be wasting my time taking the cable car up today as piste off.

Edited January 29, 2024 by Jamesc

[Jamesc]

MIL lives Japanese fried chicken.

So I bought her some at the Yamaguchi station.

Looks very crispy right?

[teomingern]

  On 1/29/2024 at 12:23 AM, Jamesc said:

Paid $57 each for wifey and MIL and me to see Zao Onsen snow monsters.

Heard it can take 1 hour to queue for cable car because of skiers.

On Friday only 1.3 cm of snow so skiers please don't take cable car today and pisste off!

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Don't need to go to Zao Onsen... try Mount Hakkoda... also got snow monsters... less busy and easier to access from Aomori... 

[Jamesc]

That's a great idea but wifey booked Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku and then direct bus to Zao and now staying in Zao Onsen resort.

Just took cable car and now at the cafe at the top of Zao mountain.

Tomorrow wifey booked Zao to Ginzan Onsen and then Aomori and Hachinohe and then Orase.

  On 1/29/2024 at 4:04 AM, teomingern said:

Don't need to go to Zao Onsen... try Mount Hakkoda... also got snow monsters... less busy and easier to access from Aomori... 

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[Jamesc]

Paid good money to see snow monsters when I have a big monster at home.

Haiz

[Voodooman]

  On 1/18/2024 at 7:03 AM, Wt_know said:

with YEN going down .... 2024 ... no 40M no talk!

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Still below 32m in 2019. Don't think can hit 40m without the return of the Chinese. 

[teomingern]

  On 1/29/2024 at 7:57 AM, Jamesc said:

That's a great idea but wifey booked Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku and then direct bus to Zao and now staying in Zao Onsen resort.

Just took cable car and now at the cafe at the top of Zao mountain.

Tomorrow wifey booked Zao to Ginzan Onsen and then Aomori and Hachinohe and then Orase.

 

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You've got a weird itinerary doubling back from Zao Onsen to Ginzan Onsen then back again to Aomori...

[Jamesc]

  On 1/29/2024 at 1:15 PM, teomingern said:

You've got a weird itinerary doubling back from Zao Onsen to Ginzan Onsen then back again to Aomori...

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Yeah wifey planned it.

Blame her!

She is half Japanese that speak terrible Japanese.

And she has a terrible mother.

Because of those 2 I learnt patience and understanding and deep breaths and smiling thru adversity.

She says it because Shinjuku to Zao is overnight bus and we save one night hotel and wake up in Zao save travel time.

Her husband not doing well as COE coming down.

Also she only bought 5 days JR pass and only Tohoku region again save money.

So JR pass only starts today going to Ginzan.

[Jamesc]

Wow service in an old Japanese Onsen resort is really good.

After breakfast someone waits at the entrance to give you your slippers as you have to walk in the restaurant barefoot because its tatami flooring and the man thanks you for taking breakfast and wishes you a good day.

It's so expected this kind of service and the old people expect it.

When they serve your food or at reception if they don't say - sorry to keep you waiting they get a very bsd review.

Poor staff have to maintain a really high standards.

[Jamesc]

Wifey says we not even using JR pass today.

Have to use slow 1 hour local train to get to Ginzan Onsen.

I said that's because MIL is following us.

If 2 instead to 3 even COE goes down we can still afford it.

[Jamesc]

Holiday in Japan is great for improving your health.

Onsen with sulphur smoothen your skin and makes you beautiful.

Every morning breakfast they serve natto - vitamin K2 for strong bones in old age and yogurt for good gut bacteria.

Miso soup also good for gut microbiome.

All the fresh fruit and pickles for diverse gut bacteria.

And a lot of fresh veggies