Riverside - a tranquil place an hour or so from Hell.

"Riverside" is nestled in lots of trees and next to a beautiful river.

When staying there one is in constant visual contact with nature. My favourite aspect is the play of light. From dawn through to dusk one's eyes will feast on myriads of colours of rock and leaf, tree and river and you in the midst of it all.

The air is really fresh and your kids will just love spending time there. At night time Jon will light a fire. Although cold outside, you will be nice and cosy. A glass of wine in hand.

In Japan many people live without a sense of nature in their daily lives. Visiting "Riverside" will put you and your family in touch with it. Jon and Jenny are kind hosts and very easy going. On arrival you are simply a part of the family. Cooking together, enjoying meals and doing whatever chores are on hand. Conversation is never wanting. There are always lots of interesting things to chat about.

Perhaps to mention, one should never feel that one is intruding. Unlike Japanese culture, sharing our homes in Australia or South Africa, where I come from, is something we relish. Enjoy this!! "Riverside" is fantastically spacious. It has a large upstairs living area and enough accommodation for a family or two. If you wanted to read a book, sit on one of the balconies and listen to the river flowing by.

Early morning as the sun rises and shines over the river, be sure to look for the wild duck. They are beautiful and a reminder of how we too can be free.

Getting out of the traffic and noise of Tokyo and arriving at "Riverside" is the start of a relaxing weekend.

The drive off the road down to the house by the Tonegawa, following the kangaroo signs, puts you into a different world...

The first time I arrived at Riverside I volunteer to do some hard outside work on a rock wall.

Subsequently, each time I go, I engage myself in physical labour for the relaxation and workout that it entails...

Spending time at Riverside was wonderful.

It was great to see all the green, hear the sound of the river, and enjoy God's awesome creation...

Jon and Jennie seem to have found the most beautiful spot in Japan.

After a day of riding through the mountain passes, we found our way down to the riverside...

We have enjoyed spending time at Riverside a few times already.

True to their cultural heritage, Jon and Jenny are easy-going and hospitable. Everyone can do things at their own pace...

Personally my biggest reservation was not understanding the heartfelt openness of the invitation to come up.

You said it so clearly "come up, you're welcome"...