Hokkaido has so many hot springs. There are some hot springs around Toyako Lake where we are now. And there is a rider's house with a hot spring here. We lodged at that rider's house. I guess that the rider's house is maybe unique to Japan, especially to Hokkaido. I'll explain the system of it and how it works later. The 1st picture shows "Daiwa Ryokan", a Japanese style hotel with a rider's house where we put up at. All around Toyako Lake they had catastrophic damage from the eruption of Mt.Usu in 2000 and the reconstruction of this area is still underway. Only a corner of the town, where some gorgeous hotels are located, is full of people and the other area, including our lodging site, is empty in the evening. I just imagined that our hotel had decided to open one floor to riders with a cheap price, due to the tough management situation brought on by the decrease of tourists.
I took a snapshot at the central tourist site (2nd picture). It was just the start of the festival. I could enjoy fireworks too. I thought I was lucky to be here on the festival day at first, but I heard that the festival was held every day during the summer. It must be an event to pull in more tourists. Someone invited me into the circle of the Bon dance (Japanese traditional dance), and I joined in. After the dance, I got a canned coffee as a token of gratitude for joining in. It was fun.
(KW: 大和旅館 洞爺湖 温泉 ライダーハウス)
I live in California, about an hour and half south of San Francisco in a town called Santa Cruz. It is famous for its surfing and liberal laws. I work for a university here while I go to graduate school. I really miss Ehime a lot, but know if I was there I would be missing California.
Congratulations on your motorcycle tour. A apanese friend of mine who I used to teach with (who is originally from Matsuyama) enjoyed going on long rides also. I am impressed that you did it. I wish more of my students in Ehime had a desire or time to see more of the world or Japan at least.
Take care,
Posted by: Mike | Oct 23, 2006 at 02:00 PM
Thank you for reading. I went for a long ride to Hokkaido this summer. I'm writing up my diary now.
Please check Categories:Touring(motorcycle)
Where do you live now? In Japan?
Posted by: KUMO | Oct 23, 2006 at 01:03 AM
Some nice photos! I am surprised you haven't written anything about the Matsuris that are going on in Ehime. There used to be a big Brazilian festival in Matsuyama that was really colorful and exciting. It impresses me that you continue to study and learn. There aren't many chances now to practice your English in Ehime and each year there will be fewer and fewer as the population declines due to young people leaving the inaka. I had to go the hospital a few time when I lived in Saijo and it was a nightmare because my Japanese is terrible and the doctors could not or would not speak English. I really wish you were working there at that time.
Posted by: Mike | Oct 20, 2006 at 05:55 AM