On the way back from the ski hill we stopped in the city of Nagano for lunch and a look at Zenkoji Temple. It was rainy and cold, but we ate some tasty soba noodles (which were made by an old man right in the front window of the little restaurant). Apparently Nagano is known for its soba.

Hello Kitty souvenirs are everywhere. Seriously, at every remotely touristy place there are little Hello Kitty cell phone charms, pencils, key chains, etc. Usually she’s doing or dress as something related to that place. For example, in Nagano you can find Hello Kitty eating a bowl of soba, or Hello Kitty with skis on. But I don’t really see any Japanese people with that kind of stuff. The only Hello Kitty merchandise I’ve seen so far has belonged to foreigners.

Here’s a photo of Hello Kitty holding on to a bomb. We were confused as to what this was supposed to mean.

There’s me in the brown jacket and green toque. (My friends here laugh every time I say toque.)