Happo One Video and Misc. Japan Pictures

Kelly and I were fortunate to travel to Japan from April 17, 2014 to April 26, 2014 for the second leg of our honeymoon (we are trying to start a new thing by taking two honeymoons).  I managed to make my way to Hakuba via Nagano for some skiing at Happo One on April 21st.  It was a cool solo adventure in the far east for me, and I could see the potential of the ski area on a mid-winter powder day, but unfortunately it more or less poured the whole day which certainly put a damper on the skiing.   The snow was actually pretty fun - serious mashed potatos - and it was cool to see and ski the '98 Men's downhill run as well as explore a bit off piste (to the extent possible given the late spring conditions).  Here are some pictures and video:

- Some Japanese Information in the lift line - 

 



 

- Noodles for lunch -

 

 

- Apparently this is what Happo One looks like when it isn't foggy -

 

- Soaking wet, but happy guy.  One of maybe 25 total people at the resort this day.

 

- Blessed rental skis.  Why do I always have to fight for proper fitting boots and skis over 170cm? -

 

- Start of the Men's '98 Downhill course -

In addition to the pictures, some skiing video is below.  Frankly, the footage isn't great due to the rain and limited terrain, so I added some awesome background music and spliced in some other interesting scenes from Japan just to keep things interesting (including footage of an awesome sushi chef!).



VIDEO LINK

Not much else to add about the skiing, but our overall trip was great so I also wanted to share some images and thoughts on the rest of our experience as well.  Think of the rest of this post as a bit of a slide show with captions.  Enjoy!

 

- Tokyo fish market.  So many fish.  -

- Shibuya Crossing. -

 



 

- Ordering noodles from a vending machine. -

 

- I love Japanese fashion. -

 

- Toyko is pretty big. -

 

- Any idea what goes on in this room? -

 

- Sumo museum was closed, but we found one in McDonalds! -

 

- Electric town.  No words to describe the over-stimulation in this place. -

- Godzilla lives? -

 



- A-bomb dome.  Hiroshima is a remarkably beautiful city, truly amazing. -

 

 

- Torii gates in Kyoto. - 

 

- Kinkaku-Ji golden temple in Kyoto. -

 

- Cherry blossom on the Philospher's Walk in Kyoto. -

 

- Nice sunset in Kyoto. -

 

- Beware of bears!  Hiking in the Kiso valley. -

 

- Looking good in a Kimino in our Ryokan in Tsumungo. -

 

- "Comfy" Ryokan bed. Thank goodness for that space heater. -

 

- Mr. T is a damn fine sushi-chef in Nagoya. -

 

- Some aspects of Japanese culture simply cannot be explained. -

 

- Bento box.  Why doesn't wholefoods sell these? -

 

- Nice fish dinner in our Ryokan.  Fun to eat with chop sticks. -