Biei, Hokkaido

Once every two years or so, “The Woman Who Sells Houses” (a.k.a. Boobs) makes the trip up from Kanazawa to invade.
So off we went to sightsee in Biei.
Spoon Valley Zawazawa Village — one of my favorites.
A few years ago the roles were reversed, but now she’s pulling in seven figures a month and I’m a NEET. So I asked if we could split the bill. She agreed.
Next time she comes, I’ll probably be on nursing care — so I’m counting on her to pick up the tab.

Currently +5°C outside.
Warm as it is, obviously a single-ply roof holds the snow — unlike a steel plate roof which would’ve shed it by now.

There’s no other word for it. Just stunning.

Shirahige Falls.
A few years ago this place was nearly empty — maybe five people at most.
Today? About 90% Korean tourists. Hundreds of them.

Even the plain white pond was absolutely packed with foreign tourists.

The Seven Star Tree, Ken and Mary’s Tree — all the famous spots.
Unlike the visitors from a certain country a few years back whose fashion sense was… let’s say, aggressively colorful, the Korean kids here were cute.

Mild Seven Hill.
This woman easily moves 300 to 400 million yen a year on Instagram. In a normal year, construction jobs for the following summer are already booked — but this year she’s only filled up to next spring. Slower than usual, apparently.
Her favorite line: “Selling houses is so simple, even someone as dumb as me can do it. I just don’t understand why some people can’t.”
I’ve been coaching her for years. The truth is, she just stays focused — no distractions, no wavering, always puts the customer first, sticks to the basics. Nothing special. That’s it.

Still warm though. No jacket needed.

Had ramen in Asahikawa.
Packed. Two floors of seating, every seat taken.
This is my personal gold standard for miso ramen. (I used to go to the Suehiro branch for years, but it closed down…)

Had monkfish hot pot in Abashiri…

…and kamaboko (fish cake) before she headed home.
Exhausting. (laughs)