In the North -western Alps there are ski towns every where. You can see the ski runs on the slopes, all mowed and ready for the snow. The Onsen towns are bustling with preparations. We are told that here there will be snow within a fortnight, and the ski season starts on 22 Nov. Yesterday that was difficult to believe with temperatures around 20degrees C but this morning we awake to less than 10 degrees.
The ski town of Tokamachi is getting ready. We stopped there because Lonely Planet described a sake tasting place of interest. It sure was interesting!
Those are rows of dispensers! Hundreds of them, all with a different sake along with its description. You pay ¥500 (about $5) and get 5 tokens and a small cup (about 25mls). You can choose 5 sakes to taste. The choise was overwhelming, but fortunately there was a gentleman, obviously a frequent taster and familiar with the sakes on offer. He was quite chuffed that I was trying sake (because of my gender, or perhaps just because I was Geijin?). Joe wasn't drinking because he was the driver, and allowed 0 alcohol. Anyway with the assistance of my new merry friend I found one I liked most and we paid about $20 for a good sake!
Also in this mall these flowers were on display..
Further on we stumbled upon a fantastic gorge with a 650m walking tunnel! This was an engineering feat due to the steep sides of the gorge, and allowed us to see the gorge at various points along the way. It would also allow people to see it in. Winter.
Unfortunately the photos don't show the steep and high sides adequately.
This is also a walking tunnel, but miniature compared to the one above.
At this time of year the black bears come down from the mountain tops and appear around the towns. The food has gone from the heights so come down looking feeling hungry. Apparently a couple of bears were seen near where we camped last night. That was within sight of the town. So we remain wary of bears.
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