My family is doing fine, and Japan is getting colder every day.
At our second house in Hirugano Highlands, we even had heavy snow!
The holiday season is coming, and I’m excited to see family and friends.
Now, I’d like to share some highlights from my November.
🌈 Kyoto with My Grandson
In November, I went to Kyoto many times to pick up and drop off my grandson at his preschool.
On the way, I often visited the Kyoto Botanical Garden or walked along the Kamo
River.
One day, a huge, beautiful rainbow appeared over the mountains.
It felt like a special gift.
🍁 Autumn Colors
During my walks, I saw a tree turning bright red near a local chocolate factory.
Even in Hirugano, the leaves around the hot springs and our house were beautifully colored.
Autumn is such a lovely season.
🌿 Trying Chinese Herbal Medicine
I recently started taking Chinese herbal medicine (Kampo) for constipation and morning back pain.
A 93-year-old female doctor near my daughter’s house in Kyoto prescribed it for me.
It works surprisingly well—what a relief!
I’m very grateful.
🎠 Indoor Playground for Kids
Nearby, an old department store was turned into an indoor playground for children.
My grandson absolutely loves it and can play for hours.
There are tables for adults, too—we can eat, read, or use our phones.
They even have massage chairs!
For a very active 4-year-old, this place is a lifesaver for me.
♨️ Okuhida Hot Springs – Matsuhōen
My husband and I visited Okuhida Onsen.
Friends told us about a nice ryokan called Matsuhōen.
It has several outdoor baths and a large garden, all on the first floor, so it’s easy to walk around.
The meals were delicious and just the right amount—very reasonable too.
We want to visit again.
At the Hirayu bus terminal, the mountains were covered with fresh snow.
We hoped to visit “Hirayu no Mori,” but it was closed for renovation.
🏡 A Night in Kosaka (Gero City)
Friends invited me to a small hot spring town called Kosaka in Gero City.
We stayed in a beautiful old farmhouse-style inn.
It was charming, but a little drafty and cold at night!
We met new people, shared dinner, and enjoyed nice conversations.
The next day, we had river fish for lunch—usually I don’t like river fish, but it was delicious!
🍶 Izakaya Adventures
My husband’s favorite izakaya near Hirugano closed, so we tried new ones around the hot spring area.
Most are small, family-run places.
People there are friendly, and we quickly become friends with the locals.
I really enjoy that warm atmosphere.
🏮 Lantern Festival – My Daughter’s Trip
My oldest daughter went to the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai in November.
She sent us videos and photos—they were magical and so beautiful.
Even though I thought I was done with overseas travel, seeing those images makes me want to go someday! (laugh)
🎓 50th Anniversary of My School
My first workplace, Ibaraki Nishi High School, celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Many former teachers and students joined.
We received video messages from “Ninety-Nine” and “Sutchy,” and comedian Shizuchan came in person.
It was a wonderful reunion!
Stay Warm!
The weather will get even colder from now on.
Please take good care and stay warm.
Hello, and welcome to my little corner of the internet!
I’m Nosalin, a 72-year-old fitness instructor and grandmother living in Japan.
I love writing about everyday life — family moments, travel, nature, grandson, and the simple joys that make each day special. Thank you for stopping by!
🍁 October Highlights
Hello, dear friends! How are you doing?
It’s the season when the sweet fragrance of osmanthus fills the air, and the autumn leaves have begun to change color. It’s getting quite chilly here in Japan.
At our second house in Hirugano Highland, we’ve already had several snowfalls! My husband and I are doing fine, though both of us are a bit more forgetful these days. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes… a little inconvenient. Anyway, here are a few stories from my October experiences.
<🩺 Health Check
I went for my annual health check provided by the city of Takatsuki. It’s free, which is really nice! My height and weight haven’t changed much since I was young, but my waistline has grown quite a bit. (Yes, that part!)Overall, my health is good, though I have high cholesterol. My father also had vascular problems, so my doctor recommends medication. My back and knees ache once in a while, but since I teach online exercise classes, I still get enough movement to stay active. For 72, I think I’m doing pretty well!
🎓 High School Reunions
This month, I was invited to two reunions from Ibaraki Nishi High School, where I once taught. The first one was for the first graduating class—the students from the tennis club I coached. We met at a tofu restaurant called Ume no Hana with a lovely view. We laughed and shared so many memories.
It’s been nearly 50 years, but those early teaching days are still very dear to me.
The second reunion was for the second graduating class, who are now 64 years old. The organizers were so thoughtful and kind, and both teachers and students felt deeply moved. I enjoyed many conversations, gave a short speech, and even received some gifts.
👦 Time with My Grandson, Sota
I took care of my grandson Sota three times in October.
We played at Amma Ruins Park in Takatsuki, where he ran barefoot on the grass for hours. He also spent endless time jumping on the trampoline.
We had a sports day at his nursery school. Last year, he was shy and stayed in the corner, but this year he was full of energy and excitement! (lol)Just watching him made me tired! But it’s such a joy to see him grow and move so freely.
＜Friends from Thailand
Our dear friends from Thailand visited us again. They absolutely love Japan—it was already their tenth trip! Honestly, they probably know more about Japan than we do. This time, they stayed at Gero Hot Spring, enjoyed the breathtaking views of Hakuba, and went sightseeing and dining around Osaka. It’s always a pleasure to share stories over dinner with them.
<A Day in Kyoto – Tairyu Sanso
My younger daughter invited me to visit Tairyu Sanso, a beautiful villa and garden in Kyoto. It used to be private but was opened to the public last year by the
president of Nitori Holdings. It was so quiet and peaceful, with very few visitors. The entrance fee was a bit high (3,000 yen), but it included a gorgeous photo book.
We walked from Keage Station through the Nanzenji Temple area, stopping to admire the scenery along the way. It was such a lovely day and a wonderful chance to chat leisurely with my daughter.
＜ 📞 Dora and Dawn from Florida
One morning, my WhatsApp rang with a cheerful message from Florida: “Hey! One year already!” It was Dora and Dawn, my energetic American friends. I often talk with Dora, but it had been a year since I last heard from Dawn.
Exactly one year ago, I showed them around Kyoto, Shiga, and Gifu. How quickly a year flies! They said, “Next time, let’s go to Hokkaido or Okinawa!” I think they have even more energy than I do! Looking back at my old blog post, I found a list of what I had learned from them:
Laugh and talk a lot
Stay curious
Don’t worry about age
Trust your intuition
Take lots of photos and videos
Be friendly with everyone, especially kids
Always say kind words
Keep a positive attitude
Eat healthy (they’re vegetarians)
Discuss politics passionately—but calmly!
And above all, love your family deeply
Tell jokes often
They’re both health professionals, and I’ve learned so much about living joyfully from them. Writing this again makes me feel warm and inspired.
Thank you for reading, and see you again next month! 🌿
