Discover the enchanting alleyways of historic Shibu Onsen, Japan, filled with lantern-lit wooden buildings.

Nagano with Friends: Departure

What about traveling with us to Nagano, guys? All in drawings? (hey, the rebels at the back, shush!) Here is the first episode of a new comic series drawn by our dear cheeky friend Dreamy, and it’s her very first strip translated into English. Such a treat for Totoro Times!

For me it feels natural to share our adventures through incredible stories and amazing photos (yeah, I’m licking my nose here!), but something important was always missing: the crew, and all the fun little details along the way. Our travels are always with friends and full of anecdotes, so this time we’d like to have you closer to us, on the Nagano trip. Let’s go!

A very cold morning in February 2012

Sunset over Tokyo with Mount Fuji on the horizon, seen from Roppongi

A “Dreamy” is rising

Comic strip by Sophie Dreamy: leaving for Nagano, part 1

All is perfectly normal in Roppongi

A busy Roppongi street in Tokyo early in the morning

And our team is finally complete

Comic strip by Sophie Dreamy: leaving for Nagano, part 2

Watch out, we’ll soon be in Nagano!

The rest of the story is coming soon, and it will happen in Nagano of course. In the meantime, pay a visit to Dreamy’s blog and look forward to more fun stuff to come!

Lantern-lit wooden alleys of Shibu Onsen

Our next stop is Jigokudani, to meet the snow monkeys.

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