Winter Blue Sky

Noboribetsu has got more snow than usual this winter.

We have to drive like a gramma now

but get to enjoy the beauty of nature better with a slow drive.

With my favorite music playing, I just forget everything and
indulge in the luxurious private space in my car.
Ooops! Better concentrate on driving with extra care :P

As the sign warns, yes, the road is slippery

Happy New Year

Hooroo to 2009, was surely the interesting one....

and....

.....well, Big Hello to 2010. 

I shall aim harder for better. One of my resolution for 2010 is to shave off some flabby flabs and to look younger!!!

Did I hear "tell me something new"?

Anyway, this year will be the better one for me for sure.

Best Wishes to everyone!

Steel Museum on the move

I always drive my shabby Toyota. But when I have a chance to catch a local train, I realise how much I love the design of many small parts or areas in the old train. Sharp, cold, precise, organised....I find this old fashioned style very beautiful.

There is an distinctive smell in the train, probably the old ciggy smell from the time when smoking was acceptable...ahhh, good and old time when majority of adult was puffing away....it was a part of the train travel when I was a kid.

Join me to sit down on the blue velvet like seat and take a short trip  around the local for the "rediscovery". Yes, you can find yourself too....I do.

Time travel around Noboribetsu station area??

Many visitors may hop on a bus from Noboribesu station for hot spring, but mind you it is worthwhile to stroll on the main street in front of the station for 10 minutes. Don't expect to find fancy stuff, however, there are some that would make you feel somewhat nostalgia. If you love a nice Japanese sweet, try "Kato" san. The presentation is very subtle but I can assure you the quality.  

Snow white Noboribetsu ALREADY!!!

Man! We had our first serious snow this morning! Me,with sweaty hands gripping the wheel tightly, was scared but amazed at the same time at the magic the nature has done over night!

The deer on the yellow sign also looks freezing.

Towards the Noboribetsu Shin Ohashi (New Big Bridge), it gets better!

Brizzard made me focus on driving only and no way I enjoy the view from the bridge like I normally do...

First Lady back to Noboribetsu

Today Japan's first lady, Miyuki san, finally came back to her home planet, NOBORIBETSU!!!We had the function to congrat Miyuki san to return home to Noboribetsu.
Absolutely charming!!

Where can you eat "yummy sushi" with a "good price" in Noboribetsu??

Hokkaido Walker introduces my sushi restaurant, Kiyozushi,  as a part of feature article about "yummy sushi with good price" in central Hokkaido area in November edition! Arigato!

Kiyozushi is a small and old restraurant run by a small family of me. We're quite stubborn about sticking with Hokkaido local seafood when we can get anything from everywhere in the world. Dad participates the auction at a local wholesale market and carefully selects seafood for his sushi.

If you wish to try some good local seafood with a reasonable price, you're required to travel a bit from Noboribetsu Onsen area. Believe me, it is worth doing a 15 minutes trip to the other side of Noboribetsu for some sushi! The best value is a 2,500 yen "Banshaku" set (evening dinner & drink set menu), which offers a set of sushi, a plate of seasonal fresh sashimi, a small plate of seasonal homemade dish, and 2 drinks (choose from beer jug and sake).

Wanna know how to get there?

Ask Noboribetsu Gateway Center at Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal (0143-84-2200)

Kiyo"zushi"

(Tel&Fax: 0143-85-4545)

2-12-2 Chuo-cho, Noboribetsu HOKKAIDO