Yeah yeah, I know I haven’t written in a couple of weeks. Or months. Or almost a year. Oh, what is time really? It’s just so abstract. Let’s ask Stephen Hawking.

So, I won’t bore you with what has been happening over here in Japanland (read: I’m too lazy to tell you what has been happening over here in Japanland). No, but really not much. Fall came and went, a particularly harsh winter wintered itself all over the place making every living thing incredibly cranky and curse happy. Spring arrived last month and brought with it cherry blossoms and drunken crowds of flower gazers passed out beneath the pink canopies of the trees. A new school year started which means there’s a new batch of 1st grade students who are so adorable it’s almost painful.

Golden Week (the spring break of Japan) graced us with her 3 day presence and my husband and I took his parents up to Nagano to see family. What a beautiful place and his extended family were so warm and welcoming. (Not surprising. He comes from good people). We stayed in an onsen town at a traditional Japanese inn. A fabulous time was had by all. Here are the pictures to prove it:

Dinner after onsen with Mom and Auntie

Wearing Yukata and Shoes That Make Sound

Enjoying a Foot Bath (Nice Legs)

Mountain Vegetable Picking with Dapper Dad

Beauty and Joy

A Scenic Scene

An Onsen (free to the citizens of the town and guests)

Touch My Monkey

Just a Perfect Day