Our time with Nozomi, Tetsu, Maru and Tsuki went all too fast!
Here is a little final roundup of our lovely relaxed country days.
One day we all set off to walk down the mountain to the village to eat magnificent ramen at Tetsu’s restaurant.
Being a busy Mum and host to multiple international working guests, Nozomi had never walked down to the restaurant like some of her worker would do.
It was the girls first time too.
It was wonderful to walk. You see so much more than whizzing by on a train or in a car.
You get to say hi to the small locals too
Persimmons are ready… Unfortunately lots will go to waste as a lot of properties are intended or abandoned.
Many properties are being slowly reclaimed by nature
This place is visited and tended to reasonably regularly…
But not this one!
One one memorable afternoon, my once City Boy Husband, found himself loading a goat into a tiny truck.
Lucky goat off on a holiday to make little baby goats!
There were the usual performances put on by the girls… Cute little acts so we got to ooo and ahhh, giggle and clap!
Our last night, Tetsu put on a fabulous BBQ… Altho the temps dropped so we all decided eating indoors was best!
Wagyu beef, chicken and squid!!
I helped Nozomi make up some onigiri (rice balls)
Add in some tofu, salad and baked spuds and voila! Good times!
And here is one of the cutest things.
The girls decided that Jeff, with all his white hair was actually Santa San!! Jeff gleefully totally joined in on this and got them to do a Christmas wish for a present.
Haha… It was something a little more expensive, so he’s done the right thing, written them a letter from Santa San and given over some extra yen to parents to make it happen!!
Melted hearts!!
We will miss our friends!!
xxx
Such beautiful days! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
I do want to ask why some of the land has been abandoned? Or did I miss a post that explained that?
Hi Jenny! Glad you are enjoying!
Re abandoned houses. Google Akiya if you want a rabbit hole lol.
Basically with the aging population, many of the small rural villages and towns are dying. Young people move to bigger centres. So many houses are abandoned. We’ve seen so many. It’s becoming a thing to buy insanely cheap homes here for those wanting a real tree change.
Rachel is keeping her eye out.
We’re tempted…but I need to sell lots more soap to make up funds after this epic trip lol