A close-up of my new home, the Epson dormitory. It's in Hirooka.
A close-up of my new home, the Epson dormitory. It's in Hirooka.
From a distance, it kind of looks like a hotel. Trust me, it's not.
This is Hirooka. Rice, rice everywhere.
Kamikochi, a park up in the mountains near Nagano city. Since we were so high up, it was extremely cold.
Here Moui and Paul begin the long, laborious process of freezing to death.
Those are some fine trees.
A real Japanese boat, and some real Japanese tourists.
Matsumoto, as seen from my office.
Guarding Matsumoto Temple is Kaeru the Frog. His cold, stony gaze commands you to make an offering at his feet.
John and I at Ninja Land (suitable for ages 5 and up).
The Zenkoji temple in Nagano City.
Matsumoto Temple.
Moui, John and I outside a soba restaurant, with Tanooki, the cheerful rat-like creature who symbolizes happiness and good food.
When Chris finally arrived, we went out to the finest French restaurant in all of Matsumoto.
The glasses on this life-size plastic replica of Col. Sanders were brutally smashed in mid-October. Why? What has the Colonel ever done except bring goodwill and chicken to the world?