It hardly feels like December, despite 7/11’s underappreciated Christmas playlist. I’m dying to go skiing here, too, but proper winter in Japan is January to March. I’ve seen rain or sun, and 65° all week.
It does not qualify for the holiday cheer-o-meter. But, I unexpectedly got today off, so I was able to remedy that!
Look what I found, ma!!
It’s half melted, but snow is snow.
Coincidentally, the super awesome ‘we get five feet of snow on the regular’ onsen towns are booked solid from December until January. Which didn’t stop me from visiting and trying edamame dango.
It’s a very strange combination. Well above potato chips in coffee (Japan Starbucks), but I never pictured edamame in something sweet.
Ginzashinhata has clearly put effort into resisting excessive modernization. No vehicles are permitted past the entrance, and the buildings have all kept the traditional ryokan style. It’s extremely charming, and easy to see why it’s so popular.
It’s sort of a Japanese silver-rush leftover. The town was only established due to the hot springs and nearby silver mine. I was looking forward to some spelunking, but you can only go so far.
It’s probably for the best.
And just because I’m a people pleaser, I made a Sno-toro. I was immediately gratifed.
Still waiting for some pictures from my Korea trip, but those will come soon!
myTia 