2 January 2008 -福島

I woke up about 7am and quickly brushed my teeth and washed my face. Don’t want to be late for departure to 福島. We left about 8plus and had breakfast at 上河内(かみかわち) Service Area (SA). SA is a resting area for drivers. I had my favorite ramen.

Su’s dad paid for my ramen. I wanted to buy coffee from vending machine and was surprised that Su said his dad will pay for all my experience these few days. Although I refused, his dad insisted to pay for me. In the end, I accepted his kind offer and decided to buy him gifts.

Su’s dad drove us with his Suzuki SX blue color new car. It took about 4 hours to go to 相模屋旅館(さがみや), 新野地温泉（しんのじ）, 福島. It was snowing on the way. I was so happy to see snow again. The last time I saw it was 1998.

We went to 相模屋旅館 for onsen. There were snow around 相模屋旅館. I went to try the indoor onsen first. Initially I thought of giving up the 露天風呂(ろてんぶろ) as it was too cold (-6℃). But I changed my mind as this will be the first time I tried 露天風呂 during winter.

My body was warmed after the indoor onsen. I put on my clothes and rushed to 露天風呂. I met Su and his dad along the way. They finished 露天風呂 and wanted to go indoor onsen. Both of them only wear their shorts underwears. Don’t they feel cold?

I quickly took off my clothes and went into the 露天風呂. I was alone! The water was hot, yet the weather was cold. There were piles of snow around the onsen. Suddenly it started snowing. Oh my god!!! The scenery around me was awesome! I can’t believe that I am experiencing it!

I stayed there for quite sometime to feel and admire the nice atmosphere. A woman joined me later. I decided to come up and go back to indoor onsen again. I was trembling when I put on my clothes. It was snowing and abit windy. Worse is the whole basket full of my clothes dropped onto the floor. The woman asked me if I am alright. (><;) I hurried back to the indoor onsen.

I heard Su’s dad chatting with another guy. The indoor female and male onsen is only separated by a piece of wood. So it’s usual to hear the people talking from the other side.

I stayed there for a while again and came up to put on my clothes. I heard Su’s dad asking Su where am I and I just shouted back I am in indoor onsen. (^-^) It was kind of funny.

We were satisfied with the onsen and headed to 栃木市(とちぎし) for dinner. It was a long drive again. We bought some おにぎり and snacks at a big supermarket, shopped around for sake. I was hungry again… I get hungry easily during winter.

We had dinner at Genki Sushi. There ware more variety of food at Japan Genki Sushi. The order for menu is by touching the TV screen next to the table. I ate sushi, French fries (yummy!) and blueberry moose pudding (very yummy)!

I am happy today. Initially I thought I will have generation gap with Su’s dad. But my worries were unnecessary. We can chat at times. Su’s dad likes to listen to 演歌 songs. He even played Masha’s songs for my sake.

We reached home around 10plus. I have to take a shower again as I felt itchy over the body. The onsen was too strong for me. It was cold to take shower as there is no heater outside the door and the tiles in the shower room are cold. Luckily I did not catch a cold.

We (Su’s family and I) chatted while watching TV. Su started drinking and of course I joined him. We tried the wine that Maki got as a present for her wedding. It was sweet! We drank beer and sake too. Su bought some sake (the delicious one that he has given me) at the supermarket today. Only 2 of us drank as Su’s dad has stopped drinking due to his health. Maki and her mum don’t drink.

Su, his mum and I are always the last ones to go to bed. Su and I watched TV while his mum sleeps at the living room, next to the TV. I went to back to my room around 1am as I wanted to listen to Oguri Shun’s All Night Nippon. I listened to it for a while and fell asleep. I woke up at 2am and his programme was still on air. I was too sleepy and turned it off… went back to sleep again.