This past month I have been travelling a lot! I have had two trips to Tokyo, one trip to Osaka, one to Kyoto, one to Kanazawa and one to Gero Onsen. I've also been enjoying some great weather for hiking here in Tahara. I had the pleasure of hosting friends from the US during the last week and we had a lot of travels and good times together. It was great to be with them and see and hear their fresh perspective on everything. I am so happy to have great friends! :) I look forward to more visits from others before I leave Japan. I also am realizing how much I will miss this place, miss my friends, miss so many things about my life here... I do look forward to the opportunities ahead of me though. I have a really wonderful life and I want to share it with as many people as I can! I also want to make the most of the time that I have left here!

view from the teahouse, Ikenohara koen, Tahara 

tea ceremony class 

lamps at a Tahara shrine 

Ikenohara koen teahouse, Tahara 

cherry blossom viewing Yoyogi Koen Tokyo 

cherry blossoms: Ueno koen, Tokyo 

Gero Onsen- hot springs resort. It snowed!!! 

we stopped at a footbath 

ahhhh! 

Gero from above 

Gero's Gassho Village 

Gero Onsen, Cure Garden spa 

one of Tahara's best sakura spots 

Takigashira is full of beauty 

Takigashira koen, Tahara 

evening in the park: Kenrokuen, Kanazawa 

busy bridge: Kenrokuen, Kanazawa 

sakura in bloom: Kenrokuen, Kanazawa 

the beautiful Kenrokuen 

welcome to Kanazawa! 

lunch on the go!