tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8180714056128243992009-10-20T23:16:12.906-07:00davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-50076263430385822432009-03-30T03:35:00.000-07:002009-03-30T03:48:24.596-07:002009-03-30T03:48:24.596-07:00

One of our favorite things in Nasushiobara is the fruit market. Map LocationMost people think Japan is very expensive. But rural living, in a place like Tochigi, is actually quite cheap. The fruit market is a great example of this. Sometimes friends from Tokyo ask us to take them there to stock up on cheap fruit before returning.We buy all our fruit and vegetables there. They have a wide

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-80430348179122514292009-02-21T04:52:00.000-08:002009-02-21T05:08:43.919-08:002009-02-21T05:08:43.919-08:00

Late last year a new outlet mall opened right here in Nasushiobara. Map Location Previously, the closest on to Nasushiobara was the Sano OutletI had previously thought this mall was run by the same people who run Sano Outlet. But I now don't think thats the case. Anyway, it fits the American outlet mall format pretty well.I don't like Nasu Garden Outlet as much as Sano. But it is a decent

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-10815376458120129302008-07-26T03:40:00.000-07:002008-07-26T03:53:54.632-07:002008-07-26T03:53:54.632-07:00

Map LocationUeno Park is a beautiful park in Tokyo. Its a nice place to go at any time of year.In July the Lotus flowers are blooming. This is my favorite time to be in the park (though Sakura is very good here too). This year they were at their best on or about the 25th of July.More Pictures

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-89653104663655123772008-06-28T04:21:00.000-07:002008-06-28T04:53:47.302-07:002008-06-28T04:53:47.302-07:00

Map Location for one of quite a number of entry points into the park. There are many entrances.Oze wetlandsOne of the most famous natural areas near Tochigi is Oze National Park. This park spanning Tochigi, Fukushima, Gunma and Niigata prefectures features great wetlands, mountains, forests and a lake. Its quite crowded in Spring and Autumn. In fact it was fairly busy when we were there on a

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-22562188677726698982008-06-18T03:32:00.001-07:002008-06-26T05:11:36.693-07:002008-06-26T05:11:36.693-07:00

Its been some time since I wrote of the Tochigi Driving Test. Well the good news is I passed the test. The bad news is I still don't have a clear set of rules to deliver on how to do it. I swore, if I ever passed that I would write the best guide I could on how I did it, so here it is.Preparation is covered in Applying for a Driver's License in TochigiPlease keep in mind some of this might be

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-46909444554786274142008-06-15T05:08:00.000-07:002008-06-15T05:25:53.161-07:002008-06-15T05:25:53.161-07:00

Map LocationThis is a tiny little castle. But its very worth visiting. We went in summer, but there are lots of cherry trees so its sure to be good in spring and the whole area must be lovely in autumn too. You can combine a trip here with a trip to Nanko Park which is only a very short distance from here.You can take the train to Shirakawa and walk to the castle and then Nanko park would just

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-34212624466613908612008-06-15T03:45:00.000-07:002008-06-15T05:29:03.000-07:002008-06-15T05:29:03.000-07:00

Map LocationThe park is in Fukushima, but its a short drive from Tochigi and well worth the effort. You can combine a trip to this park with a trip to Komine Castle (which also has an excellent rose garden).There are two main parts to the park both of which are fairly quick visits. The gardens are a classic example of a Japanese garden complete with tea rooms. Entry to the gardens is 350 yen

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-73252573741642564002008-05-10T04:47:00.000-07:002008-05-10T05:00:26.354-07:002008-05-10T05:00:26.354-07:00

Map LocationSano Outlet Mall feels pretty much like an American Outlet Mall. In fact I think this company also manages the outlet mall in Las Vegas (which is amazingly good BTW). You can find plenty of international brands here. I've heard people complain its hard to get large sizes here.Sorry for the awful photo. Its taken before we started to take photos seriously.You can get there easily

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-47227957269769632342008-05-10T04:11:00.000-07:002008-05-10T04:29:55.877-07:002008-05-10T04:29:55.877-07:00

Map LocationThis park's claim to fame is its wisteria vines (has the biggest one in Japan??). A great place to visit in early May.You really should get here nice and early. It gets quite busy. We got there at 8AM and things were already starting to getting busy. Its lit and can be visited at night (which is sure to be beautiful) but we haven't been there at night.There are other attractions

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-74688954221115930272008-05-10T03:54:00.000-07:002008-05-10T17:39:20.388-07:002008-05-10T17:39:20.388-07:00

Map LocationThis park has a very beautiful flower display which you can view in early May. The photos here were taken on May 1st 2008.I don't recommend going here as a dedicated trip. However, if you are going to somewhere nearby (like Motegi or Mashiko) then you should stop here. It won't take very long to look around. Its a fairly small simple park.There is a dam right next door to it which

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-57681956498666184202008-05-01T04:28:00.000-07:002008-05-01T04:46:38.741-07:002008-05-01T04:46:38.741-07:00

Map LocationWe all know about Narita because its where the airports is. Everybody flies in and out of Narita, but few know that its a nice place to visit. We frequently stop there for the night on our way in or out of Japan or perhaps when we have to go there for a guest visit. The hotel we stay at has a bus to both downtown Narita and the shopping center.The highlight of Narita is the temple,

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-4513354300553311802008-04-16T18:58:00.000-07:002008-04-22T04:09:34.316-07:002008-04-22T04:09:34.316-07:00

Map LocationMito is a seaside town in Ibaraki prefecture. Its just a couple of hours drive from Tochigi. I would imagine its nice to go there at any time of year to sit by the ocean and watch the waves or to eat seafood. But what Mito is most famous for is the plum (Ume) trees in Kairaku-en park. Kairaku-en is thought to be one of the great 3 parks of Japan.Ume trees flower before cherry

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-91877787619645734092008-04-15T05:13:00.000-07:002008-04-17T01:40:52.445-07:002008-04-17T01:40:52.445-07:00

Cherry Blossom (Sakura) was probably at its best in Nasushiobara on the weekend of April 12th this year. It was great in Tokyo 2 weeks earlier. I haven't found a place locally to compete with places like Ueno Park, the Palace or Akasaka yet. But here in Nasushiobara you don't have to share the beauty of the Sakura with thousands of people.This is a special time in Tochigi. Firstly, the trees

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-43212223054005370882008-02-21T02:33:00.000-08:002008-02-21T02:39:42.127-08:002008-02-21T02:39:42.127-08:00

Remember the Japanese restaurant in the movie Kill Bill? The one where Uma Thurman killed the Crazy 88? It was a bloodbath! The restaurant was a set, but it was modeled after a real restaurant in Tokyo. If you know the movie, I think its recognizable.Its a party place. I recommend going with a group. We were there on a Friday night and the place was a blast. It was very crowded but we had

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-31269182870392773182008-02-09T02:00:00.000-08:002008-07-07T10:29:06.469-07:002008-07-07T10:29:06.469-07:00

You can drive on an International Driver's License in Japan. However, if you want to live in Japan, the right to drive on an International License only lasts for one year (even if you renew your International Driver's License). After that, you must get a Japanese Driver's License. Depending on where you are from this is a difficult thing to do.The first thing you need to do is get a

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-9392248481518221542008-01-07T03:33:00.000-08:002008-09-25T07:52:46.241-07:002008-09-25T07:52:46.241-07:00

Map LocationThis is a historic Japanese village.Its not far from Aizuwakamatsu. Some people arrived by taxi, I'm guessing from the nearby railway station.It was just a little bit busy when we were there, but not overly crowded.At least in winter the houses were mostly pretty closed up to keep the cold out. We'd recommend going into one of the restaurants to eat since they are nicely decorated

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-58258400222100344682008-01-07T03:29:00.000-08:002008-01-08T19:42:28.961-08:002008-01-08T19:42:28.961-08:00

Map LocationThis is a very pretty little river walk just south of Aizuwakamatsu. Its not far from the train line which looks like a very nice way to see the area.

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-57074008464396917042008-01-07T02:53:00.000-08:002008-01-08T19:43:18.323-08:002008-01-08T19:43:18.323-08:00

Map Location very roughly! Our car navigation system could find it when we entered the phone number 0241-68-2648, you can book at their website Tatenoyu.This is a very nice little hotel in Fukushima about 2 hours from Nasushiobara. Its our first Minshuku so we cant compare too well. But in absolute terms it is very good.I'm not totally sure what the difference between a Minshuku and a Ryokan

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-59082731605195486102008-01-07T02:39:00.000-08:002008-01-08T19:43:46.198-08:002008-01-08T19:43:46.198-08:00

Map LocationThis is a fantastic onsen. If you are in the Nasushiobara area for just a short time and you want to go to an onsen this is our pick so far.Its not so hard to find. The hotel itself is on the way to Shiobara on highway 400. Its not very attractive from the road. There is not much room there due to the very steep valley and the hotel is jammed in behind the road. There is a small

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-12063367220268611122007-12-27T03:34:00.000-08:002008-01-08T19:44:15.018-08:002008-01-08T19:44:15.018-08:00

Map LocationOmaru onsen is our new favorite Ryokan.We had previously been there for an onsen and decided to book a room for the night. It was a great experience.We went up there at the end of December and the roads were a bit snowy. But it was no problem getting there at all. The road beyond that point that goes to the top of Mt. Nasu was closed.Check in time is 2PM. We got there early and

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-17444677985640280472007-12-23T04:29:00.000-08:002008-01-08T19:44:43.307-08:002008-01-08T19:44:43.307-08:00

Map LocationThis is a really nice day onsen near Daigo. If you are going to Fukuroda Falls this is a great place to go for lunch or dinner.There is a big outside bath with a nice view. This photo is from the mens' side, the womens' side is also great, with an excellent view.The restaurant is a cut above most day onsens.

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-59416144783140270982007-12-23T04:00:00.000-08:002008-01-08T19:45:09.010-08:002008-01-08T19:45:09.010-08:00

Map LocationThese falls are about an hour East of Nasushiobara in a town called Daigo. Its in Ibaraki prefecture.These falls are quite famous due to the fact they freeze in winter and are very beautiful. Unfortunately, we went in late December and they weren't yet frozen. We'll go back early next year to view it frozen.The drive to Daigo features really beautiful winter scenery. As you enter

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-68124591193031852402007-12-15T04:53:00.000-08:002007-12-27T04:59:37.220-08:002007-12-27T04:59:37.220-08:00

Map LocationThis is right up the top of Nasu. There are so many good onsens in the area and its hard to compare, but this is a very nice onsen.Yes, that is snow!The notable thing about this onsen is the very large outdoor baths and the very elegant interior of the building its in. The men's outdoor bath is actually mixed. The women have their own private outdoor pools too. It costs 1000 yen

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-58599527236218862492007-12-15T04:23:00.000-08:002008-01-08T19:46:13.928-08:002008-01-08T19:46:13.928-08:00

Map LocationThis is a good Yum Cha (Dim Sum) restaurant in Nasu. It seems to be a sister restaurant of the Cowherd Restaurant which we have not been to yet.We went for Saturday lunch and it was not at all busy. The interior is very nice. We chose to sit by some big windows, there are areas behind cloth screens and it looked like some private rooms too.They have a picture menu and you can order

davidfromozhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584920114012153504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-818071405612824399.post-1779486191982958882007-12-15T03:57:00.000-08:002008-01-08T19:56:20.570-08:002008-01-08T19:56:20.570-08:00

Map LocationOya Temple is located a short distance outside Utsunomiya. Its interesting because of the giant statue and the underground caverns.As you get close you will start seeing shops selling local rock and various builds made out of it. If I had to guess its not very good rock to make things out of because its very light and porous. But the statue is pretty neat and its a good place to

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