Raw Horse Meat Volume II

Well I did it! I ate raw horse meat, 馬刺し. Not bad. Very tender and a pleasant flavor. The motivation was suprisingly high, as Megumi and I had just finished finalizing my status in Japan. Do to me having been in Japan previously, combined with the fact that we have been married for almost 7 years, I have a very good chance of getting a permanent residence status, according to the Immigration officer. Regardless, I am offically a tax paying resident in Japan.

But, I digress... Horse meat, raw, very tasty. I would eat it again. We had this meal at a tempura restaurant in Nagano-city. But, for me I always need beer to accompany raw fish, so in the same fashion I drank some Kirin Lager and had horse sashimi.

Megumi has the camera this week as she is taking a short vacation with her mother up in Tochigi prefecture. The pictures will be forth coming.

Better View of Fuji.

Previously, we had taken some pictures of Mount Fuji, but noticed that the view of the mountain was not great. Therefore we painstakingly (ha ha) took some more pictures from our veranda. These should be much clearer and give you and idea of what we get to enjoy almost every morning. As recently, the weather as become cooler, the direction of the sun and other weather phenomenon have made it much easier to see this majestic treasure.

100 YEN SUSHI!!!

I am going to dedicate this entry to Daisuke (Shane). I know how much he digs the sushi like myself. The reason for this post is quite simple...every plate pictured only costs 100 Yen! Yes, 100 Yen. My family here always wonder why I want to go these chain restaurant called "Kappa" and "Sushi Ondo". Well for those of you in the states, quite possibly Europe as well, the price is quite ridiculous. The price here is CHEAP, and the quality is fantastic! (Pictured above Maguro sushi)
Here is just one side of the menu, this particular restaurant was "Kappa" and damn was it good. I usually go here at least once a week, to get my raw fish kick.
The mother-in-law helping to promote "Kappa's" image.
The toro is a little more expensive, (1 piece for 100 Yen) and not always the best looking, but for 100 Yen who is going to complain, you will definitely not hear a word from me.
Something for those of you who don't like raw fish, a mini-hamburger patty on rice, topped with mayo. Not bad, but if I need a hamburger I can always go to McDonald's.

The Neighborhood

Here is a natural mountain spring, less than 10 mins from my house. Unbelievable how close my home is to so much nature. I bought a 20 Liter water "tank" to take some water home with me. IT IS so refreshing and clean.
The water flows through a trough with two dragon heads.
The season is here for Dragonflies, where ever I go I see these little guys. This one literally "posed" for me, as after I took the picture he flew off.

The valley you see between the two mountains is were this spring in located, about 3 km up.
A little further up the road to the spring.
There is a river that flows in between the mountains, one of the several waterfalls along the way, very peaceful.
Cosmos flowers, growing rampantly in a farmers garden. In the fall these flowers are everywhere.
Another spectacular view of the river, so clear and clean.