The sound of insects accompanied me to sleep!

After living in Kumamoto for a year, moving to Nakatsu in Oita was really an eye opener. Kumamoto is at least a city, while Nakatsu is a small town and there are many farms. So, during night time, I could hear insects chirping sound. It was not annoying, I actually felt calm listening to that.

Golden Week 2012 - Around Matsumoto City 松本市

1st May 2012

After back from Kusatsu Onsen, we toured around Matsumoto City. 

First time see a map just painted on unpainted wood planks

Below was a photo of the inner city loop bus. One can buy a one day pass for 500 yen. 

Town Sneaker (Matsumoto City Tour Bus)

Golden Week 2012 - Kusatsu Onsen 草津温泉

1st May 2012

From Matsumoto city, we rented a car to go to Kusatsu, a place famous for onsen in Gumma prefecture 群馬県. We chose a hilly road to go there to save on toll money, however, the road was so curvy that my friend ended up vomiting. Since we could use the telephone number to locate the place on GPS, I found the telephone number from the website and it brought us to a free parking lot near the Sainokawahararotenfuro 西の河原露天風呂. If we parked inside the town area 西の河原通り (shopping street), we would have to face traffic jam and pay for the parking lot. 

西の河原露天風呂 (most famous onsen in Kusatsu)

Kumamoto invaded by Kumamon くまモン

Kumamon Self Introduction

http://kumamon-official.jp/profile

The World's first Instant Noodle - Nissin Chicken Ramen 日清チキンラーメン

After I visited Instant Noodle Museum in Osaka, I always wanted to try the Chicken Ramen Instant Noodle by Nissin. After all, this was the world's first instant noodle. However, the one I saw was sold in 5 packs per set. So, I finally bought it when I saw individual packet for sell in a supermarket here. It cost 80 yen per packet.

Below shows a video for a commercial of the Nisshin Chicken Ramen back in the old days. Kind of funny!