Nagano Prefecature - Karuizawa Part 1

Last August we took a family vacation to Nagano, Prefecture. On our way to Nagano, we stopped at several points of interest on our drive to Karuizawa.

Our first stop was the cool little town called Narai-juku. The town is the oldest post town in Japan. During the Edo Era from 1603 - 1868 the Nakasendo Road was one of the main routes linking Edo (the old name for Tokyo) and Kyoto. In 2007 this city ranked among Japan's top 100 Beautiful Historical Sites. 

Streets of Narai-juku, Japanese Heritage Post Town

Narai-juku city, its shops, and buildings have been preserved and reflect several different periods of Japanese architecture. We spent a few hours walking the narrow streets, playing in the park, visiting the shrine, and appreciating the amazing Kiso Ohashi wooden bridge.

Alex in front of the Kiso Ohashi bridge

You can see the amazing design of the bridge behind Stephanie

Next stop, Matsumoto castle which is located naturally, in Matsumoto city. The castle is known as "crow castle" due to its unusual black exterior. The castle has a beautiful moat with many colorful koi.

Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto Japan

Another view of Matsumoto castle

Koi in the moat outside Matsumoto castle

Final destination and home base for the week, Kariuzawa, Nagano Prefecture. Nagano prefecture is a bit north west of Tokyo and the weather is much cooler than our Kansai region. The trip was wonderful and provided a much needed break from the stifling heat and humidity of Kansai.

Nagano was new territory for our family and the farthest North I have been in Japan so far. It is still on the island of Honshu but about an 8 hour drive from our region. We stayed in log cabins at a camp founded by German missionaries in an area called Karuizawa. The area was relatively dry, stunningly beautiful, very relaxing and cool, did I mention that already...

Cabins at Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture

The cabins were built with amazing craftsmanship and the windows were unlike any I have encountered before. We played German monopoly in the multipurpose room and visited with retired Japanese missionaries who were vacationing at the camp as well.  

Inside our cabin, all wood construction - so beautiful

We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed the time to rejuvenate and see a new part of Japan. There is too much to post in one blog update so you will need to visit again in a couple of weeks to see the rest of our wonderful family vacation to Karuizawa.

This time of year brings to mind so many things for which we are thankful. We appreciate our families, friends and faithful supporters who generously contribute to God's work here in Japan. Thank you for partnering with us in this great adventure and for your prayers for the lost of Japan. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and wish you the best as we anticipate the celebration of our Savior's birth in December.

In His service with a thankful heart,

K. Chadduck

Yukatas from Mrs. Honda

We have been richly blessed by our friendship with Mrs. Honda whom we met through the retired English conversation group in our community. She has been a wonderful friend sharing cultural experiences, practicing Japanese and English with us as well as recently providing us with beautiful yukatas.

Yukata given to me by Mrs. Honda

This fall we had the privilege of attending a festival with Mrs. Honda as her guests. She gave us beautiful Japanese yukatas (summer kimonos) and Mrs. Fujii also provided us with traditional shoes. They came to our house early the evening of the event to help us get dressed for the festival.

Stephanie getting ready for the festival in her koi yukata

Mrs. Honda, Mrs Fujii, Stephanie and me at the festival

Enjopying the live music and lights

Mrs. Honda took us to the city center a couple of weeks prior to the festival to practice dancing so we could learn the traditional dances before attending the festivities. We had a wonderful time dancing, seeing friends from Stephanie's basketball team, and particiating in the various activities during the festival.

Dancing at the festival

When we arrived they gave each school aged child a bingo card in order to play with the crowd. Alex won a kitchen timer shaped like a robot. It was kind of tricky playing Bingo in Japanese but we had some help from Mrs. Honda who confirmed we were marking the right squares on our bingo card.

Robot kitchen timer Alex won playing bingo at the festival

Our family at a local Japanese festival fall of 2016

We appreciate all Mrs. Honda has done in welcoming us to Japan and befriending our family. She has become a dear friend and we enjoy getting to know her better and spend time with her. I had a wonderful time at this event and fully enjoyed being included by Mrs. Honda and her friends in their social gathering.

Thank you to all of our support partners for your generosity and kindness. We appreciate your faithful contributions to what God is doing in Japan and in our community. We value your prayers and continue to be amazed by the friendships and oppotunities we have been given. May God open hearts and draw the people of Japan to Himself.

Grateful to be serving in Japan,

K. Chadduck