Winter Vacation

In the past two weeks I visited 7 new prefectures, rode on over 2000 km of railroad tracks, visited old friends and made new ones, and saw some of Japan's most stunning temples, monuments, natural features, and historic sights. I wanted to have a fun and enriching Winter Break without spending too much money, and I think that goal was accomplished. Here are some pictures from my journey.

Hokuriku Trip

Deep snow and mountain farmhouses at Shirakawa-go historic village, Gifu Prefecture.

Gokayama historic village, Toyama Prefecture.

Winter spirit at Kenroku-En garden, one of Japan's top 3 finest, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture.


Kansai Trip

Nunobiki waterfall, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Kobe's Famous waterfront pier. Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Chillin' with my deer friends in Nara. Deer roam wildly throughout the streets and get feed "deer crackers" by eager tourists. Nara City, Nara Prefecture

A beautiful doe. Nara City, Nara Prefecture

The daibutsu at Todaiji Temple in Nara. The biggest Buddha in all of Japan. To give you an idea of the scale, a human being could easily slide down through one of its nostrils. Nara City, Nara Prefecture

Uji, an unexpectedly beautiful town famous for its matcha green tea. Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture

The chillingly serene bamboo groves of Arashiyama. Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

My first Japanese castle experience. Hikone Castle. Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture

From the top floor of the castle, a view of Lake Biwa and its foothills. Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture


New Years' Kanagawa Trip

On New Year's Eve, a visit to downtown Yokohama and its famous ferris wheel. Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

The first sunrise of 2013 at Enoshima Beach. Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture

The equally stunning views to the east of a sunrise-lit Mount Fuji. Fujisawa City, Kangawa Prefecture

Washing our money at the Zeniaraibenten shrine. Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

This time, I saw the 2nd-biggest Buddha in all of Japan: that of Kamakura. Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

The delicious New Year's feast, all hand-prepared by Nana's mother. Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture

And what New Year's would be complete without dressing up in traditional Japanese formal wear. All my thanks go to my friend Nanami and her family for providing me with such an exceptional traditional Japanese New Year experience. Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture



Now it's back to work tomorrow and onto the third trimester of the school year! Soon it will be March and my 3rd-years will be graduating and moving onto high school; the 6th graders will come up and join the junior high crowd, and a new school year will begin.