2010.07.01-03

 This is from a letter I wrote describing our trip to Nagano, so it will sound as though I am speaking in a quite familiar manner: The trip to Nagano was great. I don’t even know if I can remember all the details. We took the sinkansen (bullet train) to Nagano, went to the Matsumoto Castle (you probably remember going to the Himeji Castle, so similar, though I didn’t bump my head as often). To a museum of mostly modern art (the featured artist likes polka dots in great profusion on paintings, sculptures, faces, a huge bunch of sculpted flowers, plants outside introduce you the entrance). Off to a school, the first school built during the Meiji era (1868-1912) based on western principals (America forced open the door for commerce and diplomacy during that era, and then Japan did a huge number of changes to try to catch up to the West). Then into the hills, and we were near where they had the winter Olympics in 1998, so up there it looks like they put a lot of effort into fixing it up and making a mostly easy road trip (kind of like going up to Haleakala, only narrower roads, and a number of tighter corners). We stayed at a luxury Japanese Inn (ryokan) in a hot spring area known for its baths. Yup, they are still good even 450 years in the running (oh, okay, the area has been known for this at least that long, though the inn wasn’t that old). Food was high quality Japanese style. Oh yes, the onsen (hot baths) was good. Oh, okay, other people really loved them and ended up taking two one night and another the next day. I figure, uhm, clean is clean, enough! I was quite content with just the one that night before dinner. Next day off to a town called Obuse. It features a museum dedicated to Hokusai (who did the ‘wave’ almost everybody loves from the 46? Views of Mt. Fuji). I and another student spent 45 minutes trying to locate a bank to be able to get more money (yes, I bought a number of things at the museum, and still needed to eat). It turns out one can use an ATM at a Post Office to get 10,000 yen (about $114.00) a day, so hallelujah, we were able to eat. We stopped into a curry restaurant and had a most welcome and great meal. It was a wife and husband operation, they were friendly and kind, and encouraged us to take a picture of the beam/rafter in their upstairs which commemorates when the Meiji emperor once visited (sort of like the inn in the US that says George Washington slept here, only more). Off then to a Buddhist Temple that is apparently very central and important to one sect of Buddhism It was truly awesome and spectacular. Underneath the main alter they have a path you take in total darkness that takes you to a door with a handle and lock/key. The path of taking that is what can start leading one to spiritual enlightenment they say. Off to hotel that was back in Nagano, and spent the night. Next morning it was off to a shrine that was next to some area dedicated to the ninja, so all sorts of exhibits and things, but the hike to the shrine was a lot like the trip through the bamboo forest to the waterfall in Hana. Only I think longer. And steeper in parts. We went back down (newly up?) the road and went to the ‘middle’ shrine, but I didn’t waste much time there, went right to a restaurant for lunch with another one of the teachers. We were hungry! They specialize in soba noodles, so that’s what we ate. Finally off to a Forest Preserve. We only had about an hour there, but they still have bears there, they say (there was a picture of 2 cubs crossing the road). Back to the train station, and back to Urawa, and finally I am caught up to the present.