Stoat - Where?

Happo-One Ijiruna

The day dawned bright and sunny as expected and so we headed for Happo. I’d almost forgotten that it was New Year’s Eve, but was quickly reminded when I saw the hundreds of people queueing for the gondola. Apparently this is just about the busiest day in the Japanese Snow Calendar and you could tell.

Last year I made it up 2 chairlifts, which was plenty high enough, but this year, feeling more confident, I went all the way to the top and it was well worth it. They have a McDonalds up there! That exciting discovery apart, the runs were pretty steep and there weren’t as many people as on the lower slopes. The moguls were a bit too much for me, though, and caused a few spectacular wipeouts which I’m sure I’ll regret tomorrow. The solution is alcohol to numb the pain, I think, so it’s fortunate that I have the excuse of tonight.

As we were waiting for the bus to bring us back, it was funny to hear some Japanese guys practicing how to ask us “What time is it now?” and them discussing the similarity to Hottaimoijiruna, which I wrote about last week. After all that, in the end they chickened out and asked us in Japanese!

3 days gone and 3 to go! I wonder what riding hungover will be like?