Tarugishi

Welcome to Tarugishi, a little fishing village you can hardly find on the map on the coast of Hokkaio on the Japan Sea side. Our family spent many vacations here when we lived in Northern Japan. Even though the house is old, far from any real grocery store, has a sometimes-smelly-drop-toilet and it's share of bugs...it truly felt like coming "home" for our family. Since our family has moved so many times, one constant in our life has been the mission vacation houses-cabins that we have visited year after year. Our kids ran in the front door looking for all the things they remembered.

Like quirky mugs and handmade pot holders as well as familiar games and toys.

Situated on a quiet spot just a minutes walk to the ocean, this old house has panoramic views of the shoreline. We had lovely weather and bright sunshine, which was a real treat as the close hills often nestle the bay in with grey, wet clouds.

My favorite spot is on the deck, enjoying a good book with my feet propped up. We really needed these few lazy, let-down days.

This rather secluded seaside invites us to take walks and find ocean treasures. We were glad to find the beach and the water clean this time, which isn't always the case. Just breathing in that fresh, salty air does a body a world of good.