Kusatsu Onsen 草津温泉

Onsen, that’s everybody loves both foreigners and Japanese.When they learn Onsen and pronounce Onsen they may be nearer to Japanese culture.Here is Onsen, Kusatsu is one of three Onsen in Japan.Right in centre of the town hot water spurs and you will be surprised with its amount.

Pity I missmed several shots including Ryokan-Japanese style hotel. We spent a couple of hours in the centre of the town and then from Kusatsu station hotel’s shuttle bus sent us to the hotel.Where I stayed called TOKINONIWA-季の庭 was the most favourite hotel for the year in Kusatsu.Before I knew that this hotel is favoured,I could see that their way of OMOTENASHI – hospitality differs from other we stayed.They do not select guests but they seemed to know what will please guests.This is very important point. Many hotels think they offer luxurious rooms, amenities and … They knew how guests can relux and enjoy. It’s including small surprises!!This is extremely distinguishable of this hotel management.

imageMoss in the garden

imagePart of the garden.ROOM:On entering guest room area which is divided by sliding dorrs we can select Yukata-cotton kimono & Obi-wide belt and even pillows.Each room provides Samue-room wear which mostly priests wear and Dotera-kimono style gown.Our room consists of 1 living room(tatami), 1 bed room (tatami & matress),tiny garden leads to open air bath. TV is hidden behind small rood/paper made sliding doors.BATH: They say there are 23 different baths.BeforeI go to the bath my daughter who already finished taking a bath advised that there are free ice candies.So good! Here are their OMOTENASHI(hospitality) : 1.free ice candies.2.free some Japanese/Chinese refreshment such as Niramannjuuニラ饅頭,Nikumann肉まん and Misodennraku.味噌田楽。This start17:30 to 18:30pm.First dinner start at 17.50 we missed them. Next time! Then 3.surprisingly at 10 o’clock they offer Ramen, of course free ramen.We like Ramen and now its popularity is becoming worldwide.You can eat as many ramens as you like between 10:00 to 11:30 pm. In Japan there are many who finish drinking alcohol with having ramen. After alcohol ramen taste so good. When they offer ramen at 10:00 pm menas that people can happily go to bed.I was really impressed and more impressed when I see guests enjoy eating ramen.Wakuwaku Dokidoki  Now MEALS: Dining room is divided by partition like private room so we do not have to see others.This is very good to keep privacy.

image      This is starters

.imageCup of soup.It is season of wisteria, in Gumma and Nagano area you will see lots of wild wisteria.imageSashimiimageEggplant etc

imageMain dish of beef steak.You can select as you like among 4 menuimageRolled cabbage,quite soft and tasty.Of course there was desset but I did not take photoimageBreakfast for startimageBits of bits

imagePlain omelet, you can also select among menu

All of us really enjoyed and we will be back again in the near future! Recommendable hotel for foreigners as well.

 

Lake New Town レイクニュータウン

Lake new town modeled lakes in Switzerland.Along the lake there used to be a department store and swan shape boats on the lake but now all renovated matching to the landscape.Once you enter the gate it is Swiss village.

image Houses in sober colour.

Lakes in rain     imageimage Backside of the

sober houses facing the lake.

imageIt was 18th April I visited the garden and they have just finished transplant roses.Very well arranged and I could imagine these roses at their best in June.imageimageimageimageimageimageimageDaffodilsimageLotus roots in water.

imageShops far end of the lake which really made me feel I am in Switzerland.image Wooden bridge looks a bit slipperly but protectedimageLow headges.imageimageView just entered the gate.I went to Lakenewtown again in May and found roses have grown so much.I will be there again in June to enjoy roses.I will report you again.

 

 

Best Cherry Blossoms of this year ベスト桜花賞

image A few days ago I heard that cherry blossoms just started to bloom in Kushiro, Hokkaido. Kushiro is located very north so you can imagine that most cherry blossoms are gone by this time in Japan. However, there were drooping cherry blossoms in Karuizawa, Nagano pref and five of them are drooping their branches to the ground. They reminded me of some kind of dog.

image You can see a few trees behind.

image If I went there a week before they surely look more beautiful.

In this space there are variety of cherry trees and therefore you can enjoy them for quite some time.This is a spot I found in Karuizawa. Even during Golden week there were noone there.

image

image Dandelions’ yellow are matching to..