Snow Monkeys

Tyler and I said farewell to the hustle and bustle of Toyko to see some snow...monkeys.  I really wanted to see some snow, but being able to see monkeys in snow was a bonus.  This was Tyler's first ride on the Shinkansen too.  We had to ride a local train to our ryokan from Nagoya station though.  The scenery was soooo pretty.

Unfortunately, the directions we had to the ryokan weren't the greatest (did you rate that place yet, tyler?  haha that dude is CRAZY) but after some walking, one stop for directions (i made tyler go in and ask) and stair climbing...we finally arrived.  The owner was kind of unusual...but pretty helpful.  He drove us to the snow monkey part, lent us killer boots, let us use a private onsen and suggested stopping at a 200 year old sake brewery on the way back from the park.

Monkey Soup!

The snow park was full of snow and fuzzy little monkeys.  They all live in the mountains and relax in natural hot spring bath tubs made just for them.  they are sooo silly looking when they just kick it in the tub...i feel almost bad for staring at them...but it's just so freakin weird and cute you can't look away.

On the walk back down we stopped at a little shrine and the brewery.  We tasted delicious sake, looked at their museum, and Tyler got a fresh cup of beer.  We also bought a bunch of stuff.  I sent my parents the newest batch of sake made for the new year...it was SO good.  their beer was amazing too.  mmmm i want to go back.

We had ramen for dinner.  It was also delicious.  The bowls were like huge buckets.  Yum.