Yamagata
We continue our journey.
The flora (no fauna yet) are different to what we have back at home. High canopy trees, perfect for a samurai movie where they run sideways through the trees while facing an opponent.
Like this.
We finally made it to Yamagata city. This is the station itself, epic, yet kinda plain and sticks out of everything else.
Lazy so ate more uber eats, cow tongue.
Kajo Park
Near our hotel we stopped by Kajo Park. Super glad we did - It was juuuuust after peak season, so it was snowing sakura petals everywhere!
Turns out that sakura flowers blossom from branch stumps (stubs?) too! I didn't know that.
The view was amazing, and the whole park was basically empty too. I guess everyone got bored.
It was cool enough I had to bust out the ol monopod.
Petals flying in your mouth, your face, getting in the way of everything and making a beautiful, annoying mess. Here's a video of it:
We might have looked silly to the bystanders, playing around in the blossoms. Luckily there weren't any.
This guy is important.
There were some food stands nearby. We were very disappointed by the experience.
This is NOT a dango. These are... wasabi konyaku jelly miso balls. Imagine my surprise when I sucked on some salty balls. I'm still in shock.
Crepe ice cream was meh.
Hard Off 2
Just had to check out the next Hard Off along the way.
Ancient piano tech!
A lot of people (myself included) assumed the "PSX" was the PlayStation 1. Which it was, but it turns out that there was an ACTUAL PSX console. Wikipedia tells me it was the PS2, but also had video recording functionality.
It was never released outside of Japan.
So many musical instruments here, mostly guitars because we all know how many people struggle to stick with learning guitar.
As for me, it was cool to see all sorts of airsoft gear, these are the G&G M4s.
Some historical rifles too, some with proper bolt action.
Katsuya
With a pitstop for food along the way. Lunch today was at Katsuya, a chain that specialises in frying things.
The realest fake food you've ever seen. Or maybe its fake real food?
Each of these dishes only cost about 8 dollars!
Ginzan Onsen
We continued our road trip to Ginzan Onsen, in the middle of nowhere. Its basically in a crevice between two mountains.
As we approached the town, there was still snow everywhere!
Our inn for the evening.
So we were meant to be in the "mountain facing" room, but turns out "facing the mountain" is actually "facing an unfinished building".
We pushed for the "town facing" room instead for an extra 2000 yen each person.
It was a superior room but kinda awkward because every single person who walked past the building would gawk directly at us and take photos. They were actually taking photos of the building but it was still a little embarassing.
We were given some nice yukata and haori to wear, to be extra authentic.
I might look happy (yes this is my happy face), but I was deep in pain from wearing geta.
These damn things. Feet were slipping, tripping everywhere, it wasn't great. Steph seemed okay, she insists that normal women's shoes can be even more uncomfortable and unpleasant to wear so this is nothing. My world view shattered, knees weak, arms spaghetti, I realised that I should complain less and respect more those who wear uncomfortable but stunning footwear.
We have ninja socks (tabi)! Also uncomfortable, but that's the price you pay for the genuine article.
The view was super nice, relaxing and picturesque. The running water was pretty loud, so sleeping next to the river was full on white noise blasting into your ears all night. It was nice.
As we continue our cosplay, Steph takes the form of elegant Japanese wife.
See? She just blends in!
I tried my best to look the part but I struggle.
We explored the various souvenir shops. This cat caught my eye. It brings extra big good luck!
These are... traditional Japanese stress balls? So I guess you kinda squeeze them, and instead of feeling a pleasant memory foam feeling like we get from today's stress ball, you get a sharp stab into your hand (or your foot, should you decide to step on it like in the instructional image). This way its reminds you of how stressed you are, and how worthless your life is.
For a similar experience you can step on, or squeeze a pointy lego block with your hands.
Kaiseki cuisine for dinner. Kaiseki is basically a traditional Japanese degustation. I can't really explain what everything is here. Just know that it tasted really... healthy.
We took a bath after dinner in the onsen, or Japanese public bath. It was actually quite disappointing compared to other ones we've been to before (noboribetsu in Hokkaido).
It was a little unexpected because this town is basically meant to be "onsen city", not to mention the high price of this place. This particular bath was old, dirty and just kinda unpleasant to be in.
After we returned from our bath, the room was magically transformed into a bedroom!
The lanterns are turned on in the evening for extra nostalgia feeling!
Typically you would do a 'romantic evening stroll' or something, but it was too cold! Also we were tired.
Breakfast was pretty full-on too. We were already full from dinner the NIGHT BEFORE, and then here we have a huge meal for breakfast as well!
