kenleewrites in 日本

So last weekend, I was out in the Japanese countryside (Nagano) with my research lab. It was a long weekend and we had plans to do sports Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We stayed over at the university lodge in Tateshina.

As with all long weekends, lots of navigational skill is involved with maneuvering around and avoiding traffic jams. The chartered bus we went in was pretty skilled at just that. They probably had a command center monitoring traffic conditions. At times, I noticed the bus driver phoning in and asking for the fastest route. This sometimes involved getting off the highway. I was impressed. We arrived earlier than a student who only used the highway. ^^.

This was where I stayed for the next two nights. Just a room with 4 of everything. Beds are interesting. Good for people who love tatami and like to sit cross legged on it sometimes.

The dormitories and BBQ area right outside the gym.

It was a pretty cold where we were and everyone ran a few extra laps to warm up.

We played basketball, badminton, volleyball etc. It’s been a while since I played so many different games in afternoon. Was pretty worn out at the end of the day.

We had BBQ on the first night. It was cold, so we were all crowding around the grill and picking off meat the moment it was cooked. ^^. It was also pretty dark too. Difficult to pick out which meat was done and which was overcooked! Digesting burnt portions of meat is supposed to be not so good for one’s well-being.

Dinner is usually followed by a drinking party, known in Japan as a nomikai.

Sometimes we play drinking games. This is what happens when you lose. ^^. It can also happen when you’re drunk too.

The first nomikai is then usually followed by a nijikai. Literally, second party. Held in one of our rooms. Someone has to finish all the leftover beer right?

Breakfast. What would Ultraman think?

All of us with Mount Tateshina in the background.

The gym where we have our indoor sports.

Huddle in!

We’re playing mixed volley ball!

Do you play volleyball?

Mount Tateshina is among the 100 famous Japanese mountains and stands at 2530m. It’s also known as Suwa Fuji, Mount Fuji of the Suwa region. I’ll leave my journey up Mt. Tateshina for another post. ^^.

Do you do any sports? I used to do kendo, badminton and cycling alot in my younger days. ^^. Not so much now. But after this long weekend of sports, I’m thinking of starting badminton again on a weekly basis. First, I got to find myself a badminton court!