Blogs from Hokkaido, Japan, Asia - page 32

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido July 13th 2006

The next day, we decided to go to another festival instead of going to Sapporo again. Viviane wanted to see the Ainu (a tribe of Japan akin to the Ifugao) but as we had no time we stuck to the other snow festival. We took our stuff, checked out of the hostel and took a bus to the train station. However, when we got to the train station we found out that there was no bus or train going to this lake where the festival was and we had to go to New Chitose Airport to get the bus. But since, the bus for the port leaves from the train station. we decided to leave our stuff in the station lockers and took a bus to go to the airport. We found the bus and it ... read more

Getting Ready

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido » Sapporo July 9th 2006

Joyous

I just started this Blog for my Japan trip. It’s a couple months early but eh that’s alright. Better early than late. ) I’ll be posting my hopefully daily activities about what I am doing while in Japan. Orientation at Hokusei (university I’ll be attending) is on Sept. 7. I’m not sure when I’m leaving yet. Hopefully I find out soon. Joy ... read more

Whats been doing?

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido July 8th 2006

World Cup

uchi_d

Well, things have been pretty crazy lately so I have not really had a chance to update the stuff thats been going on.... but in saying that, not too much exciting stuff has been going on anyways, so I guess its ok... Dad just came over for a couple of days last week which was great to see a face from home again, we stayed @ Lake Toya for a nite which was good, and then just cruised around shikotsuko and Niseko for the remainder of the time. ummm.... still waiting for summer to come, it seems lately we have had 5 days of rain to every 1-2 days of sun which has not been fun, especially since it is going to start snowing again here in about 4 and a bit months!! Its looking like ... read more

Back from Tokyo

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido May 13th 2006

Modern Tokyo Wedding

uchi_d

Well, I have just got back from a crazy week in Tokyo. Just when I thought I could give my body the deprived TLC it needed, I was sucked into the whindwhirl of eating, eating, drinking, shopping, playing and drinking more, that Tokyo and family / friends you have not seen for a long time brings.. Needless to say, I had a great time, but am relieved to be back. Seriously, Tokyo is a CRAZY place and I could not have gone to a more opposite extreme! You take for granted how nice it is to be able to walk in a straight line and not feel like you are at the Easter Show 24/7 or stuck in a game of frogger. My last day there was the mose intense as I struggled to get my ... read more

Skiing in the Japanese Alps

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido April 28th 2006

Louise

Bernard

Wow we've spent the last two days skiing in the end of season snow in the Japanese Alps. It's been brilliant with a cloudy start and great sunshine since... We're staying at K's House - which is a nearly new hostel, which is really nice and very friendly! They've just offered us a trip to the Japanese Onsen - shared hot springs - with no clothes... no pictures I think ... :-) ... read more

Lazy days, and lots more photos..

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido April 10th 2006

Cheech's farewell

uchi_d

Well, yet again, in a flash the official 'winter' season is over here... although in saying that nature seems to be totally obilivious to the fact is well into Spring and is still sending us plenty of snow. I officially hung my snowboarding boots up about 6 days ago, satisfied with my season, then I made a HUGE mistake - I let myself get talked into going snowboarding yesterday (Hiroshi's last day)...we hit the new park, and its CRAZY!! Massive kickers, rails, boxes, tables, walls, its a freestylers paradise!! needless to say, I think I have been re-infected for the season as all I can think about is getting out there and hitting the park.... its an crazy addiction this snowboarding thing... Not much has been happening lately, just a few big parties - guests leaving ... read more

Shishido Sensei- a teacher unselfishly offering her love

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido » Hakodate April 1st 2006

Shishido Sensei

Lanz

I watched as Shishido Sensei slowly but purposely lifted the hishaku (bamboo ladle) out of the kettle three-quarters full of hot water and gracefully poured it into the waiting chawan – or tea bowl. When there was the right amount in there, of which only a well-practiced eye could tell, she returned the rest to the kettle and placed the hishaku back on the iron pot in the exact same position it was before. In the same fluid movement, she picked up the chasen, the special bamboo whisk, and with a fast yet continuous rotary motion, whisked the green tea until it was nice and foamy on top. I watched the process captivated by her elegant movements; she made it look so lovely and easy. I knew at once that I wanted to learn how to ... read more

Niseko

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido March 25th 2006

Our Car (the pimp mobile)

Brooke Chris

Here are some photos of us doing our thing in Japan. The winter season is still going......and now that Chris' knee has recovered we are back in full swing. We are safe and in good hands as Mt Yotei (the local volcano) watches over us. Our time has been evenly split between work, snowboarding, dinner with our new found friends and the Onsen's (outdoor natural hot springs). Life is Good! ... read more

Konichiwa!!!

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido » Sapporo March 24th 2006

pretty much the best picture of the trip.

Dobes

March 16th, I left Brisbane with a group of friends for Sapporo in northern Japan. It was me, Hamish, Sarah, Scotty and Joanna. As we climbed in altitude through a clear sky, we flew over a large area of the great barrier reef and eventually the phillipines, what a sight. EVA air out of Taiwon ended up being a pleasure to fly with, and I was happy to have unlimited bloody mary's and watch the much acclaimed film 'walk the line' about johnny cash. ..... "and it burns burns burns, the ring of fire" ..... our night in taiwon ended up being pretty wild. The airline had put us up at a pretty flashy hotel, about 45 minutes out of taipai city. After our complimentary dinner and complimentary beers, we decided to jump in a taxi ... read more

Karaoke & Karry On!!!

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido March 23rd 2006

Shiori Sizzling Squid

Sal Gav

It's been a long time between songs, but finally we made it back to the booth and belted a few tunes out! Dinner at Torimatsu (our favourite Izakaya in Kutchan) followed by Karaoke for the stars!... read more

Brief history of Japan

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol...more history

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