We went to the Tateyama Mountains in Toyama prefecture and stayed one night in Mikuriga-Ike hot springs last weekend. We enjoyed skiing, viewing the beautiful mountains covered with snow, eating local food and relaxing in the natural hot springs there. Plus we could see a Rock Ptarmigan! These birds are very rare! There are only 300 in the Tateyama area and only about 3,000 in all of Japan. So, they are designated as a threatened species in Japan they and their habitat is protected by law. They are unusual, because they are almost flightless, so you can see them up close on the ground. I think we have to protect the natural environment and the Rock Ptarmigan in Tateyama.
