Driving Trip across Gunma Prefecture

Yesterday we left Maebashi to go pick up Aiko from Nagano (where she lives). We stayed off the highway, and made a couple of stops along the way. The roads were incredibly steep with many sharp turns. I am so glad that I don't get car sick. In Japan, you have to pay to use the highways. They are much quicker because you aren't climbing up and down mountains. We used a highway on our way back to Maebashi.

Natural sulfur hot springs. The water temperature is 60C - 140F. It is this almost glow-in-the-dark yellow/green color, and also smells like eggs. 

Town surrounding the hot springs

A public foot bath using the hot springs. It felt like you were cooking your own feet. I couldn't really get my feet in the water. The Japanese had no problem, and their legs came out bright red. I don't know how they did it.

Hot spring pouring into the foot bath.

I really liked how this building looked. It was all a restaurant.

These plaques went all the way around the hot spring. These are all famous people that have visited the hot spring. This one dates back to 721 when a famous monk came.

This is Masahito and Masako, haha! They asked me to take this picture for them.

This spring has many health benefits, so this is a way to cool the water without losing any of those benefits.

Cooling the water with the boards. We lifted them in and out of the water.

Traditional water-cooling uniform?

This is inside a ramen shop that was facing the main square. It was the best ramen I've ever had in my life! They used a soy-sauce base.

Looking at the menu.

This was our second stop. It's at the foot of a volcano. Many years ago it erupted, and threw down thousands of black rock. They have now made it into a park and Buddhist temple area. This little guy is called an "oni" or demon. People used to believe that these guys were the ones who threw down the rocks.

 Buddhist temple and volcano in the distance.

This is the name of the park.

A day of Japanese traditional culture

Today we went to Aiko's grandmother's house. She lives in a traditional-style Japanese house with a rock garden which was beautiful. She is 81 years old, but looks and moves about like she is much younger. I was able to wear a kimono today. They found one that was long enough, except for the sleeves (but that's not a surprise since I have monkey arms). Aiko's aunt was also there. She is a master of ikebana (traditional Japanese flower arranging). So I was able to get a special ikebana lesson from her. She is a great teacher and hysterical. Masako also taught me how to make powdered green tea. So today was full of traditional Japanese culture!

 Masako (Aiko's mom) making powdered green tea. The women to the left of the camera are Aiko's aunt and grandmother.

Delicious lunch with homemade tempura.

These are the vases we used to make ikebana. In the base of the vases are spiky wooden and metal plates to affix the plants to.

Master of ikebana at work.

Her finished work.

Masako's finished ikebana.

All three of ours together. Mine is the one on left.

Beautiful porch area that can open up to the rock garden. 

(Doors closed)

(Doors open)

Picking out which yukata I should wear.

Masako and I in our kimono.

P.S. That is not how I normally stand at all. Aiko's grandmother spent a couple minutes rearranging my foot placement.

Posing next to my ikebana. Also, standing with strange foot positioning compliments of Aiko's grandmother.

Cute, bow-style tie of the obi. It's a style for the "Miss". 

The yukata that I chose.

The garden. These are "monkey throw" trees. They are slippery, so when monkeys try to climb up they are thrown down.

Obi tying lessons: The cute "Miss" bow-style

Obi tying lessons: The "Missus" style