Kusatsu: It’s Not Just For Christmas (or Autumn Part Two)

Posted by on Oct 16, 2011 in Gunma, Travel Volunteer Journey | 6 Comments
Kusatsu: It’s Not Just For Christmas (or Autumn Part Two)

The town of Zao Onsen, back in Yamagata prefecture, was a nice wee place – we just happened to arrive there at the wrong time of year. So it was with some trepidation that we arrived in Kusatsu in Gunma. On a grander, slightly more Swiss scale, this is a very similar town. Healing waters ...

Face Painting

Posted by on Oct 15, 2011 in Gunma, Travel Volunteer Journey | 3 Comments
Face Painting

As with most ancient religious figures, there is some conjecture about the true history of Daruma, a devout monk whose practise of extreme mediation gave rise to Zen Buddhism. One colourful tale that says once, during a nine session of staring at a wall, he once fell asleep. On waking, he was so disgusted with ...