Family Visit

Last weekend, my husband`s eldest brother`s family came for a visit. The children were having their one week spring holidays and Atsushi brother wanted to bring his family to ski before the ski season ends.

We went to the famous matsumoto castle in the morning. I have been there many times but it was the first time for me to enter the castle. The entrance fee costed 600yen. First, we have to take off our shoes at the entrance and walk in our socks over wooden floors.

The castle was used as a fortness by samurais. Inside the castle, we can find small windows (loopholes) on every floor where defenders could shoot guns, arrows or throw stones down upon attackers.

There were also many exhibits of weapons,armour and arms used by the samurais.


The most intersting part was that the castle had very steep and narrow steps especially the one from 5th to 6th floor. These staircases were deliberately designed to be difficult to climb to avoid invaders from pentrating.

According to Atsushi brother, the 6th floor served as the lord`s headquarters in case of enemy attack. If the enemy managed to reach the 6th floor after all the obstacles and steep stairs,it meant that the lord has lost the battle and he would commit sucide using his samurai sword.


In the afternoon, we visited Dai-O wasabi farm.
Wasabi is a common ingrediant in Japanese cooking and enjoyed with fresh sahimi or noodles. Yet, it is hard to know what real wasabi looks like and how wasabi is cultivated unless we visit a farm where it is grown.

For the children who are raised in Yokohama city, this was a rare opportunity. Their encounter with wasabi was limited to tubes.


Wasabi can only be cultivated in very clean,chilly water with the right mineral balance. Dai-O wasabi farm is surrounded by abundant water springs and along with the weather in Nagano prefecture, its enviroment is perfect for cultivating wasabi.


However, real wasabi are expensive and only good sushi shops serve it. A 10cm high grade wasabi root can cost around 2000 Japanese yen.

Inside the farm , snacks made with wasabi are widely available. For the adventurous, try the wasabi ice cream which promises spicy coldness that melt in your mouth.

Snow Monkeys

Last Saturday, we visited snow monkey park called Jigokudani Yaenkoen (Hell Valley) in the northern part of Nagano. Its the home of more than 200 snow monkeys and I have always wanted to visit this place.



Japanese monkeys are inhabited only in the mountainous district. To reach the park, we have to walk 1.6km. It was snowing heavily on Saturday and when we saw the snow covered slope that we must walk on, we wanted to turn back and give up. We lingered around the area for about 10 mins before deciding to give it a try.

The way up was not easy as it was muddy and snowing. My shoes were dirty and I used the umbrella to support as it was slippery. One step wrong, I could fall into the deep mountain valley.


When we reached the park, the snowing got worse. However, when I saw the snow monkeys, I forgot all about the coldness. My hands were freezing but I couldn`t wait to capture these monkeys on my XD card. There were times when my fingers went numb and I couldn`t press the camera shutter. But, this was a chance not to be missed. I went around the park observing the monkeys and took many satisfying shots.

As the monkeys are raised in the wild, we were reminded not to touch them, feed them, not even look at them straight in the eyes. Staring at them is an expression of enmity in the monkeys` world and if the monkeys get the habit of receiving food from humans, they will become aggressive and attack humans for food.

Most of the monkeys in the parks were searching for food in the snow. I saw them digging something red which seems to be flower buds. A few will soak hours in the specially built hot spring to fend off coldness. I also saw a few monkey fights . I believe that the monkeys each have their own territory and other monkeys are out of bounds. They fight fiercely to protect their own place.

This is the first time for me to get so close to wild animals.
Mid-march was a good time to visit depsite the tough journey up as we can see the monkeys playing in the snow and soaking in the hot spring.The monkeys roam around freely in the park and it was really an unique experience to observe them right in front of your eyes.

I am no animal lover but I fell in love with these adorable , fluffy snow monkeys.

Hida Takayama

Last week, we went on a short trip to Takayama with my husband`s parents. Set deep within the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Takayama is a leisurely place and even the center of the town has an authentic charm.

As Takayama is set on high altitude, the weather still feels like winter in mid March.

Our first night was at Sun Members Hirugano resort about 60km away from Takayama. As my husband is a member, he could enjoy free one night stay with dinner within 2　months from his birthday. It was a cozy boutique hotel with elegant furnishings.

In the morning, we were greated by a fantastic snow scenery It came as a surprise as it rained heavily with thunder on the previous night.

Near the reception area, I saw two unique violins. Its painted fairytale-liked.

We proceeded to Takayama town after breakfast . San-machi Suji the center of the old town of Takayama and is still a living part of the city, despite its old buildings. The streets are narrow and lined with stores selling traditional wares, craftsmen's works and breweries. It is also the main atraction of Takayama and the streets are filled with eager tourists. I managed a quick snap in front of the brewery with huge round balls of cedar hanging in front.


Spotted an interesting vending machine made of wood. It`s probably designed in a nostalgic way to fit into the atmosphere of old town Takayama.



In the evening, we checked into our ryokan and enjoyed a traditional japanese dinner. Beef is famous in Takayama known as Hida beef. An interesting dish served was hida beef roasted with miso on a magnolia leave laid over a clay urn.

The next morning, we went to the famous morning markets which are among the best known sights. It was freezing cold in the morning. Regardless of the weather, every morning, from 7 a.m. to noon, farmer's wives from nearby villages bring fresh produce like vegetables,pickles and flowers , local crafts to these markets. The locals eat a lot of pickled vegetables here due to harsh winters where fresh vegetables are hard to come by .

Next, we visited Shirakawa Village, a world heritage located about 50km away from Takayama. It is a mountain village with a population of only 1900 people. Traditional houses in the Gassho style are the main attraction. These kind of houses are unique and cannot be found anywhere else in Japan.

In the villages of Shirakawa-go , the roofs looked triangular and are angled very steeply. The structure is built to suit the environment in Shirakawa in order to withstand the weight of heavy snowfall.From the viewpoint, the view was great but the houses somehow look like toy houses.

It was raining on the day we went. The wind was strong and biting. I cannot imagine the lifestyles of the locals in winter season which is severe.

Scents of Spring

Weather is getting warmer and there are signs of spring sprouting. The very first flower to bloom in early March after a harsh winter is known as fukujyusou. (Adonis)





Its a very small golden yellow flower which grows wildly on grasslands and meadows. The Japanese believe that this flower will bring luck and prosperity.

Hakuba Ski Resort

Hakuba is known as one of the best ski areas in Japan. It staged Super-G, down hill, and ski jumping during the 1998 Winter Olympics. Hakuba Village is located in the northern Japan Alps and has seven ski resorts each unique with different ski routes.

We visited the ski jumping station used during the Olympics and major games. To get to the top, we need to take the chair lift and an elevator to the top of the 90-meter and 120-meter jump, giving you the real feeling of being a ski jumper. The journey up was icy cold and windy .

The scenery from the top was breathtaking. However I couldnt make it to the starting point as I have height phobia. In the end, my husband went alone as I stayed indoors.

I have always enjoyed watching ski jumping games from the television but seeing the real jumping station is quite beyond my imagination. One thing for sure, I can NEVER be a ski jump athlete.

Nagano Prefecture, Matsumoto City

Ringed by the Japan Alps in the central part of the country, Nagano was an unknown prefecture to much of the world before it staged winter Olympic Games in 1998.

Nagano is a popular destination for tourists who ski in the winter, hike in the summer and soak in the numerous natural hot springs ("onsen") year round.

Nagano is also famous for its apples, grapes, peaches and its production of soba.

North of Matsumoto is the world's largest wasabi farm. Wasabi can only be grown in extremely clean water .

Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan`s historic castles, was built in 1590. It is the dominant attraction in Matsumoto and listed as a National Treasure of Japan .

March 14 2006

Time really flies.
Its been 5 months since I packed my bags and left Singapore for Japan with my husband.

I never expect to marry a foreigner and I guess nobody thought that I would . I thought that I would end up a spinster or marry a Singaporean and leaｄ a typical life. My whole life changed when I met my husband.

I had to make the tough decision to convince my family who were against it in the beginning. From young, I have never done a single thing that was against my parents` wishes. I was a good student, went to the university and got a job on my own straight after graduation. Choosing to marry my husband was the only rebellious thing that I have ever done in my whole life. Guess everyhing was predestined.

But I am glad we overcame the obstacles. We are very happy together even after 4 years. He is the perfect husband. We enjoy each other`s company and he is my soul mate. He also tolerates me for not being able to wake up in the cold winter to get his breakfast ready. I do try to wake up occasionally to fulfill duties aｓ a wife, but its really too comfortable under the blankets.

We enjoyed ourselves in Singapore for 3 years before moving to Japan due to his work commitments.

In these 5 months living in Japan, we experienced autumn and winter together. We enjoy our weekends with long drives around Nagano prefecture. With this blog, I hope to introduce the beauty of the four seasons and our new life in Matsumoto.