We go to the very holy town of Togakushi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togakushi_Shrine We stay in a ryokan.

Yuko san runs the place. She does everything from cleaning, cooking, business stuff. Her husband watches baseball and does the garden.

The three of us are the only guests. Tomomi and I stayed here 2 years ago and Yuko san has decided to reserve the whole place for us!

The food is the best. Yuko san cooks it all, especially the hand made soba that my Japanese friends hold in great reverence.

So we have to get ready for the big event. This means an hour of being dressed by hilarious ladies who do this for a living.

I love Japan.