A day with Yasu and Taki

Yasu, me, and Taki @ the Green Holiday Village Center bath house

While Zeb and Amanda climbed Fuji, I took the chance to go out to the countryside with my friend and old classmate Yasu and her husband Taki. It was a BEUATIFUL day!!

I got to the station where we were meeting way too early, and thought about going to the Hello Kitty Land I found out about by talking to an American military family that was on the train with me, but nah. I took the chance to wonder around the shopping centers by the train station instead. I was however once again overwhelmed by the amount of STUFF there was there. Incredible.

When it was time to meet up I has found that Yasu and Taki had rented a car to take me out to the countryside. They hadn't been there in a while either, so they were keen to go! It was very green and lush! They explained that it wasn't always that way however. Durring and after the war the Japanese government cut down a lot of trees because of the need for lumber. Too many homes and businesses had been destroyed during that time. The simi comical part of the story however is that the government then decided to reforest with cedar tree which grow fairly quickly without realizing that most Japanese are allergic to the pollen that comes off the cones of the trees. I can only imagine that during that time that there are a lot of Japanese wearing face masks!! They really only wear the masks when they're sick.

We had lunch by a beautiful river which had a camping area and a Japanese hot spring/bath. The area just happened to be hosting the country's 3rd most important marathon as well! Over 3,000 people were running, and some for longer than 16 hours. At least that's what I understood. Amazing.

The runners were getting a free bath at the end of the race. It was probably a good thing too.

Following lunch we took a walk by the river and continued to chat about all sorts of things; too many to list here. It was very enjoyable. One of the things we did talk about was going to the Japanese bath. To my surprise they were prepared to take me to the Japanese bath. When I was asked if I wanted to go, I figured when in Japan do as the Japanese do. Yasu and Taki thought I wad very brave. I can only wonder what the other women in the bath were thinking... "Crazy American tourist!!" Yasu thinks they were actually thinking how cool it was I that I was taking such an interest in their culture. I do hope so. It was a good experience.

I thank Yasu and Taki for showing me a great time, introducing me to new things, and being wonderful friends!!


The website for where I was.. through google translate that is:  :)   Green Holiday Village Center