The Tan Tans' Life Begins

Day 2 in Nagano was an early start with the Tan Tans visiting the famous ski jump competition ground during the Winter Olympics in 1998 before breakfast was served at 0730hrs. It was quite a nice place other than there was no snow since it’s summer already…   ;(   Measurements for the landing zone. All the pros landed beyond 120 metres. After the breakfast, the Tan Tans took a stroll around the area near the Minshuku that they were staying in and discovered a shrine as well as a small playground. It was just a great lazy morning   Saw tons of daisy. Nice shrine with a huge sacred tree.   Swing!! Tan Tans loved it! Departing from the minishuku that the Tan Tans stayed in. The Tan Tans were also told that for the wild plants cuisine, one have to book it one week in advance.   Our second stop for the day is a popular ski resort in winter but was turned into a natural park in summer (or spring in Nagano area). Tsugaike Natural Park ...

Last weekend, the Tan Tans were kindly invited to join an elderly couple from their English conversation class to Nagano. As it coincided with the Tan Tans’ 1st Wedding Anniversary, it was a great opportunity for a celebration in Nagano. It was like a anniversary present that fell from the sky. The Tan Tans first stop. Matsumoto castle. It was one of the most beautiful original castle in Japan out of the 12 original castles and was built on a plain instead of on top of a mountain or hill. Also known as crow castle, Matsumoto jo was built in 1592 and has a beautiful distinct black roof.         Inside the castle, there are some display of firearms that were used in the 16th century.   Belief had it that there was this guard who saw a gorgeous gal on the 16th night in the premises of the castle who handed a bag over to the guard and told him that if they enshrined the bag with 2,600 kilograms of rice every month on the 16th, she will protect the cas...