tokabochi

I had a go on a skiing arcade game but that was ages ago. I bet they are more fun now.

News on the Yuzawa Now page

He'll never do anything as good as Brent again. Time for a Office re-watch I think.

Zao?

Packing and moving is just the worst. Good luck

I can answer this! I can answer this! A small place technically in Tokamachi-shi, not far off that road between Ishiuchi and this side. Featured in Guess Where This Is? thread last year.

They look too like giant insects, that's my problem with those critters!

Sounds good that thurs!

Can't remember seeing this one before

Hurray! Bit over here too. Not going to last long but good to see snow falling again.

I think Akakura is one of those places that has multiple owners like Happo (?), Zao, Ishiuchi Maruyama. Some seem to work better together than others.

Alarming how quickly snow has gone from the 'walls' this last week.

Definitely. We got a good amount again this year, more than just over in muika's neck of the wood, but not as many of the prolonged mad-snow events that are such.... fun.

Sounds like a good idea, you up for sometime soon? Say, next week?

I thought Thailand wouldn't let you in?

I surely need it if I don't have the new card and I go abroad.

It's a relief though because the woman in the city office seemed to be implying I'd be chucked out of Japan or something as it had "expired". Got me all flustered for a bit there. Bloke at the immigration on the phone was much better, he said anytime in the next 2 years ok as long as I have valid visa and re-penetration permit.

Anyone got one of the new residence thingy cards yet? I just noticed last night that my previous gaijin card has 'expired' and the town office had my going all the way up to Niigata Immigration to get the new one -- NOW!! - but on calling immigration they said "cool down, cat" - apparently the old one is totally worthless, but you only need to get the new one before 2015. Or something. So no rush to Niigata Airport. Phew. What are the new ones like? Really cool?

Indeed. Doh, didn't make it again.

They're building a new road/tunnel to get rid of 253, or at least make it a backup. It can get very bad in mid winter, but usually it's not a problem just lots of turning. You might remember the explosion they had in the tunnel on the Muikamachi side last year which has delayed it a bit. When that opens though it should make Muikamachi to Tokamachi about 20 minutes.

he was trying to look like Keith from Prodigy

I haven't been much at all this season for one reason or another. I am hoping either Nozawa or over to Minamiuonuma this weekend.

Some very impressive snow walls between here in Tokamachi and over where muikabochi is.

I think you definitely need to take the Mt Granview factor into consideration, before you regret it.