New Year's In Japan < part.1 >
Nasu (Tochigi prefecture) is located at the foot of Mt. Chausu, the main peak of the Nasu mountains which still emit volcanic smoke. Just a 2 hr journey from Tokyo, it is a quiet resort area frequented by the Japanese Royal Family. Besides a host of vacationing tourist attractions, this area is also famous for its abundance of hot springs. Many writers such as haiku poet Matsuo Basho（1644-1694）have stayed at towns in Nasu.
I was a little reluctant to go there because I discovered it's proximity to.... FUKUSHIMA. I don't want come back with 12 toes or an extra nose!!!!
But I followed the rest there in the end..... and well, it was quite lovely. Not sure whether the doctor will say that about my radiation levels now though.
(Be warned - rent a car or arrange hotel transport, because as notoriously expensive Japanese cabs go, our taxi fare from the train station to resort came up to slightly more than $100SGD) 
Pine limbs touch pine limbs
Under the blanket of snow
Fox shivers alone 
A traditional ryokan stay. I really enjoyed the novel sleeping-on-futons experience.
Onsens used to shared by both sexes (quite embarrassing, I wouldn't take the dip!) but when more foreign tourists started traveling to Japan, they became separated sections for men and women.
It's rare, but if you're lucky you may find a mixed-onsen, or private ones that can be booked - great for couples.
Take your own sweet time to relax and rejuvenate in the onsen, surrounded by nature. 
How nice. My first time in a real onsen (actually I tried one when I was really young but I don't remember and it was indoors so it doesn't count :P)
The juxtaposition of icy chill while immersed in steaming hot spring water... was wonderfully surreal.
I sat there for a long time- body warm and face numbed, enjoying the calm, staring out into endless crisp white forests.
Collecting thoughts. Talking to my maker.
The other women had left. I had the whole place to myself.
The only sounds in the world were the gentle trickle of streams and rustling of leaves in the cold wind.
Snowing! ;) You can see the falling snow flakes all over my hair. 
I got out after half hour - 45 mins. Dashed back to the warm indoors.
Running around outdoors stark naked is admittedly rather funny. Put it on your bucket list.
All onsens have a shower area with stools where you're supposed to wash and rinse off, before and after.
They look something like this: 
I had never been among so many naked women in my life, and never had I been butt naked in front of strangers too. Many ladies were older; it was interesting to see lots of of sagging boobies and rolling tyres of tummies. You know, compared to the perfectly nipped figures one gets used to in glossy magazines. In case you're wondering, no I didn't stare, I tried not to be rude! I just took short quick glances... haha.
New Year Resolution: get my lazy butt to the gym.
Ryokans usually will include breakfast and dinner in their room rates. 
Another night, we ventured out to look for some Wagyu beef!
FYI, the word Wagyu refers to all Japanese-bred beef cattle ('Wa' means Japanese or japanese-style and 'gyu' means cattle) 
Sunset at 5pm.
We made our way to a quirky, vintage American-style restaurant called Mr. Beef.
Retro memorabilia decorate the cozy place, while old-school jazz and blues records play.
Local Nasu Wagyu steak! Incredibly juicy and delicious. MMMM.
Our local friend Emi's family owns a cattle farm in Nasu, so I joked that she should recognize this cow :)
Said bye bye to this...
....and hello glittering modern Tokyo.
View from hotel in the day:
Now you see it... now you don't! View at night:
Lazy day at friend's place. 
Nice views from the balcony.
You can actually see the bridge and giant ferris wheel from here on a clear, sunny day. 
I should be so lucky.... 3 boys cooking breakfast for me! ;)
Of course, there is no lack of entertainment at night in Tokyo.
Now, if you're wondering what to do at 3a.m., there is a 24-hour Japanese chain store that is the epitome of Japanese weird and wacky, which you absolutely must check out.
Ironically, or true to it's zany image, it's name isn't even remotely Japanese - it's inspired by Spanish literature. 
Don Quijote is something like our Mustafa shopping centre... a department store cum supermarket, it sells everything and anything. 
Get ready to enter the Twilight Zone.
As a prelude to what you're in for, a floating Buddha welcomes you.
It's common knowledge Japanese love their costumes and cosplay, so here you'll find no lack of them.
If that's still not enough extra hair for you, try this: 
LOL :)
Aww cutie pie adorable! I'd make my kid wear these :)
Fooling around with madcap sunglasses.
Girls don't get too excited. Shelves and shelves of colored circle lenses for sale.
The great thing is that they display all the samples in clear cases for you to view. However, the prices are much more expensive there I think.
Bizarre massage contraptions.
Food section is expansive, enough to do grocery shopping.
Please also check out my philanthropic work ;)
On the 6th floor of Don Quijote, lies hidden treasures.....
It's the luxury goods level, where you can find branded bags, watches, wallets etc from designer labels. There is a pre-loved section, with tons of second-hand items and Hermes Birkins too. The prices for the these pieces were surprisingly quite good.
My theory is because Japan being one of the largest luxury markets in the world, there are so many branded things floating around everywhere that it pushes the resale value down. 
Found a vintage lambskin Chanel 2.55 above which I bought! Manufactured in 1994 - 1996.
I like the unique vertical design as it's a bit more understated and less common than the quilt pattern.
I already have a few Chanel bags but this was quite the steal. Tax-free for tourists. And did I mention, vintage? So *ahem* I'm excused.
One friend told me, "Vintage Chanel should be passed down not bought!" I agree, that's why this is an investment for my future daughters & granddaughters ;)
The last supper. End meal of 2011.
An Izakaya in Shinjuku.
It's not easy finding places to eat during New Year's in Tokyo because it gets quiet, seems like half the population leaves town to go home to their families.
I really, really, really did not want to celebrate and countdown in a club, because partying is so cliche and tired, nothing very special.
I would have much rather seen fireworks at Disneyland or something.
But the path of least resistance led us to one nonetheless :(
After all the free flowing champagne and drinks, I must admit I ended up being pretty happy and having a lot of fun on the dance floor.
It got somewhat scary at one point though. Twice, two different groups of guys almost "kidnapped" me by pulling me away in the crowd. Shocked, how could Japanese guys be so aggressive? Thankfully my friend would always rescue me!
These guys, I'm okay with though. Who needs A&F now?
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