A bean says "I love you forever"

Treasure every encounter, for it will never recur.

At the counter of Noboribetsu Gateway Center, we sincerely treasure every encounter everyday. This pretty bean with the Chinese word "I love you forever" was given by a Taiwanese lady whom I assisted with choosing a day spa in the heavy rain. It was such a small thing I assisted, however, the lady appreciated and carefully choose this one and gave it to me with "Thank you very much".

We hugged each other as if we were old friends when we said goodbye.

Hope I left the lady at the place with her heart warmed up a little in a cold rainy day, because her smile made my heart warm.

Meet the origin of Hokkaido

Last night was the night you did not want to sleep.

One of our hotels, "Daiichi Takimotokan" (http://www.takimotokan.co.jp/) has its 151 years anniversary and held the Ainu's traditional performing arts at the foyer. The hotel has many programs to entertain the customers for 151 days from 1 June.

Here's me with Yamamaru-san, who is a symbolic figure of the local Ainu people. With the extremely strong feature and a gorgerous traditional outfit, he is very charismatic.

At 9pm, the hotel foyer was crowded with many audience who wore "Yukata" (After-bath cotton kimino) and the group of performers greeted with their own language and musical intruments.

Ainu is the indigenous people in Hokkaido and has a sad history similar to Australia aborigines, and try their best to pass their tradition down to the next generation.

They demostrated some different kind of dance and songs. Their musical instruments are made with bamboo and strings and the function is just so simple. However, it is very difficult to make a sound but once professionals can make any sort of sounds and tones. I know that because I have started practicing myself and can tell it'd be a long way!

The highlight of the night was at the very last when audience were invited to dance with them.

There is no rule to get funky!

You can meet them at "Shiraoi Porotokotan" (Ainu Museum): http://www.ainu-museum.or.jp/

Arrival at "10th Avenue of Hell"

Let me "brag" in my blog about what I have just achieved today.

I made it to the 10th Avenue of Hell and I am sooo proud.

Whatta....?!

One of our "Ramen" noodle shops, "Aji no Daio" on "the Heaven Avenue (Gokuraku Dori)" has an unique menu setup. Their standard Ramen noodle is yummy enough, however, if you want to show off your bravery, you must challenge this...There is a step from Zero Avenue to 10th or maybe more according to how much spice contains in your soup. You get 10 big scoops of chili powder in your soup to reach to 10th Avenue of Hell !!

no modesty, no mercy....just working hard

The rule is simple. You have to empty your bowl. No reward or refund even if you achieve 10th Avenue, however, you are eligible to receive lots more valuable thing....honor!! And your name is up on the wall and you would become legend.

Very tempting, hey?!
Look at the color of the soup!!!!!Let me tell you, the thickness of red color really hurt my eyes and brainwashed me that there was no way I can even have one sip. When I first put my chopsticks to scoop some noodles, I could feel the heavy weight of chili powder in my soup!

"OMG! What would I do to myself? This is an absolute suicidal." was what I was mumbling.

But I have a pride too. And I also had my supporters, Abe chan and, to hold my hands.

I was starved to death and was ready to eat anything anyway. However, the thickness of red color made me sick to my stomach just looking at it and the soup is not liquid, it is actually close to paste.


Surprisingly I enjoyed the first 1/3 of it. The soup is far too thick but the taste is quite good.
I was confident and optimistic for the first 5 minutes and I was sooooooo wrong!
It gradually became difficult for me to slide the food down to my throat, I even felt nausea.
Then I felt my body system was shut down and I reached the stage where I could no longer keep going. This is the first time I really felt the limit. Had a cold sweat...

BUT!!! I am a big girl and a big girl would never surrender!Ever! Also Abe-chan next to me was supportive and very patient....

well...took me about 40 minutes, because I had to rest for at least 10 minutes.....And with the last sense of "Ganbaru" (best effort for the achievement) spirit all finished!!!! "Gochiso sama!!"

I think I really saw the HELL and came back to this life. And this is the proof of how crazy I am...Now my tummy is burning!!!

Abe chan's favorite, Miso Curry Jigoku (= "hell", one scoop of chili powder) ramen noodle is also recommended.

Huge Thanks to you, Abe-chan. Without you, I could never ever make it....Seriously...

This may sound stupid to call this a challenge. It was a challenge to win over my limit and I did it!!

Wanna beat me or test your braveness? Come and try to reach to the 10th Avenue of Hell!

Ramen Noodle Restaurant: "Aji no Daio"
Address: Noboribetsu-onsen cho 29 (On "Gokuraku" Dori)
Phone: 0143-84-2415
if you need a help to find the restaurant,
come ask us at Noboribetsu Gateway Center!

Spa Triathlon @ Noboribetsu on 21st June!

"What the heck is Spa Triathlon?" was my question when I first read the column about marketing the event in the newspaper last year. Back then I was still with my former employment which is located overseas and had no idea what my hometown was up to.

Well, since I now pretend to be "Noboribetsu expert" (yeah, I must admit I am still in a learning phase...), let me explain what "Spa Triathlon" is all about......

Spa Triathlon is the sport competition event with the combination of "Spa" (hot spring) and "Triathlon". One of the venues in 2009 is my hometown, Noboribetsu!

With the strict rule, the participants MUST wear "Yukata" (a cotton kimono). How cool!!!

According to their Japanese promotion website (http://www.spatra.jp/) , the event is not only about promoting well-being but also promoting the local character and sharing the excitement of achievement. The course actually covers the highlight of Noboribetsu Onsen area.

Wanna participate? Email to info@spatra.jp

Flavor of Spring! Yummy Wild Vegetable Heaven

Noboribetsu local mountains become a gigantic fresh market for FREE! at the moment. The amount of mountain vegetables (we call them "san sai") we can catch is just far too much to keep them to ourselves. I am not exaggerating! We can feed the world. It's a wonderland for adult who love the nature.

Other than bamboo shoots, watercress, Japanese parsley, probably other mountain vegis are exclusive to Hokkaido. And the amount we can catch is far too much more we can consume ourselves.

.....bamboos just picked from the local mountain. yum!

When Sakura (cherry blossoms) is over its best, locals get itchy feet to go into mountains and pick mountain vegetables (we call them "san sai"). This is almost addictive! Everybody go nuts about picking as many as they can. And even though it is such a hard work, without any hesitation they give away many of their catches to friends, family, and neighbors.

I very much enjoy all the vegetables from the local mountains. They are all beautiful to look at and have strong unique flavor that you can never taste from the farmed vegetables. Truly blessings of nature!

Around this time of the year, no matter if you go to mountains yourself or not, your fridge is filled with tons of different kinds of "flavor of Spring". This makes me realise that us, human being had started our society with "sharing" to survive together. And this time Noboribetsu locals seem to return to where we should be and I feel fortunate to be here!

On your arrival in Noboribetsu Onsen.....

You cannot miss this sign once you arrive at "Noboribetsu Onsen (Hot Spring)" bus terminal.

First time here? Please be reassured because.....

Noboribetsu Gateway Center is your helpful friend!

The staff (including me!) are expert to everything about Noboribetsu area and always love to provide local tour guide services and information about the area, accommodation, transport, everything you need to know.

"Your pleasure is Our pleasure!!"

Noboribetsu area may have a lot to see, however, some places are hidden and unwritten in a guide book. If you wish to spend your limited time wisely, booking our professional guide service is strongly recommended! We have a wide range of programs from the local tour to experience-oriented activities and happily customize a plan to match with your preference too.

One of the popular programs is "Night Adventure"!

We take you to a walk to the popular "foot bath" and "Oyunuma" lake in a darkness. Only the torch light would direct your way. Shapen your sensibility and experience the nature surrounding you without eyesight. Feel the life and heartbeat of the earth! If you are lucky, shooting stars would delight your eyes like fireworks.

Booking is essential. (Price: 1,500yen per person)

We have more programs to make your stay more enjoyable. Come ask us!

We are open everyday from 8:00 am to 6:00pm.
Please feel free to contact us anytime.

Noboribetsu Gateway Center
Address: Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal,
26 Noboribetsu Onsen Cho, Noboribetsu, Hokkaido Japan
Telephone: 0143-84-2200
Fax: 0143-84-2301
email: gwc-noboribetsu@hotmail.co.jp

Noboribetsu is full of pink right now!

A perfect flower for my first blog!

After "loooo~ng" cold winter, yes! Noboribetsu's "sakura"(cherry blossom) is at its best right now!

This is just like a nice treat for us to survive through the winter here!

The lovesome and dainty pink color cuddles and makes you feel warm when you feel down. However, this fragile flower lasts just a week only if no rain or wind....

On the way up from Noboribetsu JR Station to Noboribetsu Onsen (Hot Spring) area, sakura trees line up along the side of the road for a few kilometers. This "Aka oni" (Red Ogre) stands tall and strong to welcome you into Noboribetsu Onsen Area and today this guy looks very happy with a sakura tree blooming for him.

Driving through the beautiful tunnel of sakura is absolute pleasure!

Today I have met quite a few excited people who said that sakura in Noboribetsu is the best!

I suppose our sakura is not displayed flashy like other gigantic tourist sights but is for you if prefer seeing sakura trees with rather subtle setting. If you miss this spring, do come next year!

Any information or guide required? Please contact us at "Noboribetsu Gateway Center" located inside of "Donan Bus" terminal in Noboribetsu Onsen.

Phone: 0143-84-2200 email: gwc-noboribetsu@hotmail.co.jp