Takada

Aimee and I have been here in Japan for two months now. I never realized how beautiful Japan was or could be, my preconceptions were based on an overpopulated, grey concrete jungle.

We live in an amazing part of the Niigata Prefecture, called Joetsu. A small area occupied mostly by smaller semi-rural communities. Within Joetsu we are situated in an area called Takada 高田, an awesome little place with a cool castle (replica of the one that was burnt down), cherry blossoms in April (apparently the third best, but, I've heard that expression a lot. I think 'third best' is the way the Japanese show pride, 1st and 2nd may be a little bit over the top) and the views of local Myoko-Kogen. Here are some pictures to help the mental image.

So (well family and bored friends at work, because who else will read this) enjoy....

 Takada Castle

 Rice fields ready to be harvested at the foot of the hills

The moat around Takada castle, Myoko in the back ground.