No Boys in the Girls' Hot Springs

Welcome to Zao Onsen Resort in Yamagata, Japan - home to avid snowboarders, skiers, and hot springs enthusiasts.

In other words, welcome to the coldest, most boring place that a resin kid could possibly be.

It wasn't all that bad, really. I just couldn't go anywhere, except stay in Haru's bag or watch the room that she and her friends were spending the night in… mostly because Haru was too busy face-planting down the mountain side to take care of me on the slopes.

Apparently, riding a snowboard is not like riding a bike. Ten years of neglect leads to eating a lot of snow, and complaining about bad joints like an old lady.

Haru couldn't take me with her because it was too hazardous, for one. It was also too cold to take many pictures on the mountain, because the camera buttons kept sticking. But here are some shots that her shaking, frost-bitten hands didn't mess up!

Check out how thick the snow is! Entire trees and shops were covered up from head to toe. Yamagata is actually known for its "Snow Monsters" or Juhyou (樹氷). It literally means “tree ice.”

Haru didn't get to see them, since she didn't go all the way to the top of the mountain, but here's a photo borrowed from Google Images so you guys get the picture.

Of course, it's not fun going to a winter resort, only to freeze to death. A hot meal, like hot-pot or Shabu-Shabu (しゃぶしゃぶ) warms the belly well enough.

There was also sashimi, tempura, nabe, and other traditional Japanese food to enjoy.

However, a body melting hot spring, or a hot onsen (温泉), is probably the best way to go. Though I was cold, there was no way I would go to the girl's hot springs! And there was no way Haru could take me to the boys' area either, so all I did was lounge around some more in the room while the girls played dress up and went to the onsen together.

Here's the girls' changing area - don't worry, no naked bodies were present when these photos were taken. While everyone else went skiing and snowboarding on day two, Haru spent it taking a five-hour nap in the hot springs by herself. Lazy bones.

Not to mention, Haru also spent quite a while enjoying the massage chair.

Here's the indoor onsen. Before you can even go into the hot springs, you must be squeaky clean. That means you take a shower first before going in for a soak.

This door leads to the onsen outside, in the freezing cold. Many people wouldn't dare walk stark naked into below freezing temperatures, but a short trip from the door into the onsen to stew a few hours is rewarding, according to my onsen-loving friend.

Haru told me that even though she was outside in the ice and snow, she only had to submerge her legs to stay warm. I could barely believe her, but then again, that steaming water looks like it could have boiled a lobster!

While she slept much of the time away in the onsen, Haru also spent much of her time reading while taking her bath. Old bookworm habits die hard it seems.

Looking at these pictures makes me envious of her. Perhaps one day when Haru trusts her snowboarding skills again and saves enough money to buy me some proper winter clothes, I'll get to come back and see the view with her. Komame too... once I find him.

Until the next adventure,

Rowan

Mango Snowballs and Dragon Parades

Spring is here! And that means - go to Yokohama's Chinatown and see how spring flings are really flung.

Did you know Yokohama's known for its diversity here in Japan? I know I didn't, but there are huge cultural communities here, including Hispanics, Indians, Filipinos, Koreans, and more. One of the biggest hotspots though is Yokohama's Chinatown, Yokohama Chukagai (横浜中華街). There are other Chinatowns riddled throughout Japan, like Kobe Chinatown and Nagasaki Chinatown, but Yokohama's is arguably the most well-known.

On top of being one of the biggest Chinatowns around, it also throws some of the biggest parties. While Haru and her host family didn't get to go to Chinatown for Chinese New Years (it would have been impossible to navigate around anyway), they got to go see this particular event: The Spring Festival (春節).

Parents even had little kids sitting on their heads just get a glimpse of the show.

Of course, it's to see one of these - and to get one to "bite" your head to make you smart (頭がいい). Luckily, I was inside Haru's bag when all this was going on. I'll be honest and tell you I don't like seas made of people and scary dragons flying around the place.

Nearby the event grounds is a really famous temple, Kanteibyō (関帝廟). It's another must see here in Chukagai!

After that, it was time to tour the rest of town. Including, food, food, and more food. Here's a "mango snowball" which is shaved ice with mangoes on top. But there is something unique about the shaved ice because it melts in your mouth in such a way, that it feels more like snow than shaved ice.

Haru also bought ice cream (again) in the middle of winter. It may look like vanilla ice cream, but this is actually almond flavored. If you've never tried it, you really should. It'll turn anyone into a sweet tooth addict.

Now, some foods are made of ice. But others come in plastic or billboard.

Later when it was finally time to visit Yamashita Park, (山下公園) I wanted to get some fresh air. I was really groggy at first. But soon came to realize this place had been very different than anywhere else I had been to in Japan so far.

But even with Haru and Christina, I still felt... lonely.

Haru loves the sea though, and made sure she and Christina spent plenty of time looking around the boardwalk and taking pictures. Over where I'm pointing is Sakuragicho (桜木町). It's got a ferris wheel there, but unfortunately, we didn't get to go on it.

I garnered a lot of attention from other visitors, including a sweet, old lady, who was the only one unafraid of coming up to Haru and telling her I was adorable. She really brightened up my day! It's always nicer to hear people say that, than hear people say how creepy I look. Really now! I'm right there, and I understand everything perfectly too. I just can't say anything or look angry - the downsides of being born with a resin face.

Behind her was the Hikawa Maru (氷川丸), an old Japanese Ocean Liner. This old ship survived World War 2, and has a very long history. Now, it's a floating museum, which Haru was too much of a lazy-bum to go see. But seeing it from afar was already pretty cool. SHIP AHOY, MATEYS!

At the end of the day, I couldn't help but have a look at the nice sunset. Yamashita Park is known as a popular site for couples and friends to meet. Haru tells me Valentine's Day is next week, so it will be very crowded then. I might as well get a good look at the place while the quiet lasts.

Omake (おまけ) - extra things - including possessed, singing pandas, Hello Kitty pandas, and panda doorways. In other words, a whole lot of pandas.

Rowan