Nikko and Kamakura are very beautiful. Just don't go during Golden Week. It'll be way too packed. Kyoto will be fine though. We went to Kyoto in August for a few days. Amazing place, but so much to do you really need to plan out where you're going to go before hand. No way you can see "everything". You can hit up a lot of the major places in Kyoto in a few days though.
But hey, you have Costco in Shinmisato. I have to drive a long way to go there...wish it was just a bit closer. :P
I live in Tochigi-ken. I live in the second largest city here of 160,000. While I have access to all those "neon lights", and have no problem fulfilling my gaijin-fantasy of a futuristic Japan, I'm very much surrounded by some beautiful scenery.
One of the things that surprised me upon moving here is the rice patty's. They are everywhere. Fields upon fields of rice, vegetables, etc. And the surrounding mountains are absolutely gorgeous. From one of my schools I can see Mt. Fuji in the distance every morning. It's beautiful. Japan, is beautiful.
Sure there is things like Shibuya Crossing, but the majority of the country is Mother Nature at her finest.
Funny I saw this post though. I was in Utsunomiya today taking care of some things, and I was walking back to the station minding my own business. Usually thanks to being a foreigner, I'm usually ignored by the blood-donating-people ( or whatever they're called). But these old ladies saw me and screamed Konnichiwa!!! and bowed profusely. It scared the shit out of me. So much so I bowed back and said hello. They literally scared a bow out of me. That doesn't happen very often.
But a little part of me in the back of my mind thought "Should I donate?" Of course I thought "Nahhh" and kept walking.
While this report is probably the case, I think exercise for children in general is considered very important here. Whether it be club activities, undoukai (school sports festivals), walking to and from school, or recess, children get plenty of time to keep fit. I teach English here, and my elementary students are pushed so hard physically. Sometimes I genuinely feel bad for them.
But then I look at the situation back home in America and realize the Japanese way has all the best intentions, and ultimately better for their overall health.
While I'm sure the older children slow down a bit, they will always be getting some type of exercise throughout their life. Whether it's walking or biking, it's such a part of Japanese life that I can't imagine this being a big concerning issue.
I received some from the wife, and some from co-workers. Chocolate with mochi. Yummy!
Game is great by the way. Much better than Wipeout HD.