Kamikōchi, Nagano, Japan

I turned 30 today, and we celebrated by waking up before dawn in our tiny car in the Hiryua Onsen car park, shivering in the early morning chill. After warming up with a hot tea from the vending machines, we boarded a bus full of little Japanese hikers decked out in their best gear, all jingling away with their bear bells attached to their bags. As we drove into the National Park, I caught my first glimpse of snow-covered peaks! We spent the day walking, eating, and drinking, soaking in the beauty of Kamikōchi. Couldn't have asked for a better way to start my 3rd decade.