@beachfeet1000 that's called wasabi - its a kind of horse radish - It's VERY hot if you use alot of it, but it's so good! It's used in alot of japanese meals.
@nartin86 I totally agree with you! As a college student especially an American I was stuck in a rut living on junky fast foods and cheap quick meals for a long time. It wasn't until I met a Japanese girl that I started discovering their culture and quickly became intrigued with their lifestyle and how everything is perfected especially the food!
This meal is such an adventure. I used to not value a meal that takes longer than 30 min during college years. Now, I'm willing to spend 3hrs to just have a slow dinner with family and friends a few times a week.
wonderful, wonderful. I feel more tranquil now having watched this. I would like to make my home more like this. Thank you. I also want to eat noodles this simple instead of eating ramen all the time. Hope I can find the right way (things) to accompany these noodles.
tbank you for this video...my mom tried to teach us all these but we lived in the western world and nver got to experiencing this.. i missed my oba-san. i will make up from here on. thanks..
Let me begin by thanking you, Kurt. I've watched many of your video's, and this is one of my favorites. The sound of the cicada, the beautiful atmosphere, grinding your own wasabi root and the sights and sounds of the rain. The serene beauty of it all and delicious food must make for an amazing time! Thanks again!
well,having watched an extent to this far,you have earned a subscriber,and i think its funny that i found these vids thanks to bleach (anime) when soi-fon fought her zanpakuto ''suzemabachi''
The restaurant you visited seems to represent a large amount of what I love about Japan. Beautiful scenery, the calming sounds of rain, lovely traditional building, a wonderful atmosphere altogether. Unlike crowded, stuffy, and noisy restaurants in the US.
This is one of the places I wish to find myself lost in.
@kingkongzilla34 This restaurant is located in a small mountain village along the Abe river near Shizuoka City, Japan. This area is in central honshu and very close to Mt. Fuji. ~Kurt :-)
that was a lovely video of the resteraunt, what did catch my attention the most was how it was totally put of the way ofthe city.(out in the countryside, pouring down with rain,good food, thats my idea of tranquility :) )
- jack
p.s.
is it true that slurping your meal in japan is good manners? apparently it means you enjoy it haha
Hello Jack, Japanse people do indeed slurp their noodles (quite loudly in fact) which I believe is a sign that one is enjoying the noodles. I'm not sure if making noises is a polite thing with other foods though. -Kurt :-)
Hello Seanuk, I seem to remember that our lunches cost us about 1300 yen each which we thought was pretty reasonable for the amount and variety of food (not to mention the great atmosphere). -Kurt :-)
1300 yen each... so about $13 correct? If so, that is not bad at all. I mean to me $8 for a bowl is expensive, although they are large bowls, but the atmosphere and the food is worth $13 definately. When the video first started I saw the curtain and the dirt floor and I was like ok... I guess that is old fashioned and alright. Then saw the cauldren and the wood wall and was like... ok... then you went to the other room and showed the out side and every thing is just breath taking!
Hello NancyPickelneck, I too am especially fond of the food here in Japan which is very different from the Japanese food I could find in my home country (USA). The variety and freshness of the ingredients is very good and I am ever amazed at the wide range of foods, snacks and types of green tea which are included in the Japanese diet. I do hope that you will have a chance to come to Japan and experience these things for yourself. -Kurt :-)
I was totally lost in the moment watching this. How peaceful! I noticed the fan in the back ground. Is it warm this time of year, even though it's raining?
Hi Heather, Summers are very hot in this part of Japan, even in the high mountains where this restaurant is located. The rain and clouds did certainly cool things down and I suspect that the fan is only used on the hottest days. :-)
Thank you, MoonChild1981! It's great to finally have some time to make a few videos again. Your kind words are a great encouragement! Thanks again and have a great week! -Kurt :-)
Long time no see indeed. Thank you for the nice welcome back. I will actually be hiking tomorrow and plan to bring the camera. With a little luck I may have something to share when I get back. Thank you for viewing and letting me know what you like. -Kurt :-)
Hello shoeach, Thanks for your concern. We were all fine though work was keeping me so busy that I had no time to make videos. Things have at last cooled off and it's fun to begin posting again. Thanks again for your kind concern and for taking the time to comment. -Kurt and family :) :-) ;-)
Great video. That looked like such an amazing place. I have only been to a house like that in a "living museum" North of Osaka. The forest in that area seems incredible. I suppose that's an aspect of Japan I don't get to appreciate too often since I live in the city!
Glad to see you posting video again. Hope there will be more to come :)
Wow, this is an amazing video. That house looks so great and I love the way the gardens and stuff look all around it. There is something I love about that warm rainy weather and I can not think of a better place to experience it than in Japan.
I have never traveled Japan ( I am 18) but I plan to move there some day. This video is like exaclty what I love about Japan, it captures it beautifully.
It looks like you had a great day there with your family. You are a very lucky man :)
Fresh-grated wasabi. That oughtta kick it up a notch!! This has been loooong overdue my friend! I'm sure there's a good reason for it. This video far exceeded my expectations. What a wonderful visual tour of part of the country I call home. I learn SO MUCH about my roots and what makes me who I am from watching these videos you post on here. And I can't thank you enough for it. But let me once again. Thanks for sharing!!!
I'm sure some are wondering too, but where exactly was this filmed?
Thanks for the kind and encouraging words. I wish that I could remember the name of this village but alas I cannot. The best I can recall is that it is about halfway up the road to Umegashima from Shizuoka City along the Abe river. The village is quite small and the restaurant is up a hill and away from the highway. I think that there is a small sign (in Japanese of course) along the road near the restaurant. I hope that this helps. -Kurt :-)
I can see it says Nishimura (in hiragana) on the sleeve they put the chopsticks in. That's gotta be the name of the restaurant. So, I'll try to remeber it. There are TONS of restaurants that serve Japanese soba and udon here in New York. But probably none that lets you grate your own fresh wasabi at the table while sitting on the zabuton! : (
Great eye and thanks for sharing what you found. We visited this place last year and I simply could not remember the name. Thank you for helping! -Kurt :-)
I believe that there is a bus line which runs through this little village. The only problem is that I have forgotten the name of the place and will need to go back again to find out. I hope that you have a chance to see this or other similar places for yourself in the future. -Kurt :-)
Thanks for coming back to see what's new. I'm sorry to have been away so long. Work has kept me to the grindstone for many months though I am delighted to at last find some time to make some simple videos. Thanks again! -Kurt :-)
That was a great video. It's been a while since you last posted something! =) The place looks really calm and peaceful..you're so lucky to be able to visit such a place! ^___^ An it's nice to see Emily being her cute self again XD Thanks for sharing this vid!
Marvelously charming, with a lovely view. Thank you for sharing the little family outing, per usual you seem to catch all the interesting things, from the grating to the waterfall!!
Your daughter is adorable as always, how old is she now?
Hello Kat, Thanks for the kind words. Emily is now eight and in the third grade. Time flies so fast as they say and I can hardly believe how she has grown. Take care and thanks again! -Kurt :-)
That place look very relaxing. Looks like you felt at home. That's cool that you got to see the waterfall :] If i ever get a chance to visit japan, I'd like to take a trip into the mountains.
One of my favorite softypapa videos :) I feel as if I'm in Japan, too, trying out this new restaurant. :D
birthnight 1 week ago
Don't tell me that the husband is also a White too...It's like these days 5 out of 5 Japanese women getting married to Westerner males
KatiushaVN4 1 month ago
@KatiushaVN4 Yeah, he white. So what? Why does skin colour matter THAT much to you?! My goodness, you're rude.
LovelyLilDevilWings 3 weeks ago
Wow such a lovely place
Sonnymatter 1 month ago
What is the bright green liquid ?
beachfeet1000 3 months ago
@beachfeet1000 that's called wasabi - its a kind of horse radish - It's VERY hot if you use alot of it, but it's so good! It's used in alot of japanese meals.
LovelyLilDevilWings 1 month ago
@LovelyLilDevilWings I was actually wondering what the bright green liquid that came out in the small wooden bowl after the Soba course at 5:30
beachfeet1000 1 month ago
@beachfeet1000 haha... Oops.
LovelyLilDevilWings 3 weeks ago
@LovelyLilDevilWings thanks anyway for trying :)
beachfeet1000 2 weeks ago
@nartin86 I totally agree with you! As a college student especially an American I was stuck in a rut living on junky fast foods and cheap quick meals for a long time. It wasn't until I met a Japanese girl that I started discovering their culture and quickly became intrigued with their lifestyle and how everything is perfected especially the food!
HAMMERxHCA 5 months ago
This meal is such an adventure. I used to not value a meal that takes longer than 30 min during college years. Now, I'm willing to spend 3hrs to just have a slow dinner with family and friends a few times a week.
nartin86 6 months ago
i wish to have a home like this!
trainsforever8 7 months ago
ちなみに、「日本人が麺をすするのは礼儀作法だから」というコメントがありますが、本当はそうではありません。
その食べ方が一番美味しいからです。
勢いよくすすった方が、麺はスープによく絡んだ状態のまま口の中に運ばれます。
日本人は食べ物の一番美味しい瞬間を大事にします。（特に麺類は時間が経つにつれ不味くなります。）
麺をすすらないことを無礼だとは思いません。日本人は麺をすすらない人を見ると歯がゆく思うのです。すすって食べた方が美味しいのにと。
同じ麺類でも、ヤキソバはすすりません。それぞれ美味しい食べ方があるのです。
akinasukizakura 7 months ago
この撮影者の和の捉え方が素晴らしいと思う。
nullop8 7 months ago
撮影の押さえどころが私のツボ。
雨上がりに涼しい風が店ののれんを揺らして店内に入り込む様子とか、自分も一緒に雨上がりの心地よい風を感じているように錯覚できました。
akinasukizakura 7 months ago
wonderful, wonderful. I feel more tranquil now having watched this. I would like to make my home more like this. Thank you. I also want to eat noodles this simple instead of eating ramen all the time. Hope I can find the right way (things) to accompany these noodles.
VictoiseC 8 months ago
Wow I could really go for some soba noodles now. haha
fuzzypaws17 9 months ago
such a beautiful place. very tranquil. wish i was with you and your family eating soba.
thank you for such a nice video.
ladyamerias 10 months ago
Very peaceful.
alleyhanai 10 months ago
What does the sause for your noodles taste like? I have always been wondering what's in it and what it taste like.
iceprincessice15 10 months ago
tbank you for this video...my mom tried to teach us all these but we lived in the western world and nver got to experiencing this.. i missed my oba-san. i will make up from here on. thanks..
paiburong 1 year ago
You have captured heaven!!!
bcassely 1 year ago
Thankyou for sharing this.......... incredible.
tonipuente1 1 year ago
I really mis eating soba
fuzzypaws17 1 year ago
This is Cool I like it i wish,.. wish i could be their Nice !!
Radiowave440 1 year ago
粉ワサビでなく、本物のワサビを擦ってます。
A horseradish that is not a powder horseradish but genuine is rubbed.
nullop8 1 year ago
i wanna go here! haha
aznpatrik00 1 year ago
Let me begin by thanking you, Kurt. I've watched many of your video's, and this is one of my favorites. The sound of the cicada, the beautiful atmosphere, grinding your own wasabi root and the sights and sounds of the rain. The serene beauty of it all and delicious food must make for an amazing time! Thanks again!
Solfury220 1 year ago
Where's the meat?!!!
thisisnotyours1 1 year ago
@thisisnotyours1 Why do you need meat? Eat a clean and lean meal a day won't hurt.
YoutuJ3eJ3lows 1 year ago
well,having watched an extent to this far,you have earned a subscriber,and i think its funny that i found these vids thanks to bleach (anime) when soi-fon fought her zanpakuto ''suzemabachi''
DisturbedMooCow 1 year ago 2
@DisturbedMooCow Thank you for your nice words and for subscribing! Have a great day! ~Kurt :-)
softypapa 1 year ago
Beautiful!! And yummy too. Wish I could get some wasabi root here in the US.
WithurShield 1 year ago
The restaurant you visited seems to represent a large amount of what I love about Japan. Beautiful scenery, the calming sounds of rain, lovely traditional building, a wonderful atmosphere altogether. Unlike crowded, stuffy, and noisy restaurants in the US.
This is one of the places I wish to find myself lost in.
BandaiRae 1 year ago 4
@BandaiRae What a terrific observation. Thank you for sharing! ~Kurt :-)
softypapa 1 year ago
@BandaiRae you should check out some of the udon ramen or soba shops in tokyo! crowded, stuffy, and noisy!
silkyjohns0n 7 months ago
What a stunning place !
haruhitsugara 1 year ago
So peaceful and classy. I guess I'd hang out in that garden a lot of time.
drmform 1 year ago
Who would dislike this? What a dickhead.
YoutuJ3eJ3lows 1 year ago
@YoutuJ3eJ3lows
Considering the amount of likes I think that's simply someones mistake.
drmform 1 year ago
@drmform LOL a pretty ignorant mistake too!
YoutuJ3eJ3lows 1 year ago
@YoutuJ3eJ3lows
ha..
ha ha
drmform 1 year ago
You make me the hungriest man in the world!
YoutuJ3eJ3lows 1 year ago 2
涼しげだねぇー
まさに日本の「涼」ですなぁ。
4649hide 1 year ago
What a wonderful place to be and enjoy. Thank you for sharing.
TataruSama 1 year ago
suteki na kazoku desu ne!! you have a wonderful family and emily is so cute !!! rgds from Spain !!!
crisakuri 1 year ago
Comment removed
immafobsayz 1 year ago
what a cute family. i can see that you're a very loving father and husband :)
immafobsayz 1 year ago
like old gramps says old is the best :D
GundamFanDeluxe00 1 year ago
Thanks for sharing, what a wonder.....i wish i could live in Japan, even the natural landscapes are garden on earth,,,,
Devilito999 1 year ago
Thanks for sharing, what a wonder.....i wish i could live in Japan, even the natural landscapes are garden on earth,,,,
Devilito999 1 year ago
This is a beautiful place is beautiful, and I love the rain. So beautiful!
welwisher 1 year ago
where about's in japan was this soba restaurant, the scenery looks incredible
kingkongzilla34 1 year ago
@kingkongzilla34 This restaurant is located in a small mountain village along the Abe river near Shizuoka City, Japan. This area is in central honshu and very close to Mt. Fuji. ~Kurt :-)
softypapa 1 year ago
@kingkongzilla34 ya lol but how can thei sit on those kushins like so long XD
GundamFanDeluxe00 1 year ago
A very beautiful and relaxing place, love it! (Especially for families)
thanx for uploading ^-^
I want to be friends with Emily, she`s so cute, haha (:
Minajahn 1 year ago
扇風機が回ってますね。夏場であれば冷たいトロロ蕎麦、ん～～～熱い鴨南蛮も捨てがたい！ どちらにするべきか＾＾；
そう思ったが、これは本物の蕎麦つうの食い方。恐れいった。お嬢様はワサビ大丈夫でしたか。 すみません、なかなか英語で訳すのが難しく日本語で書いてしまいました。ちなみに僕も蕎麦は大好きです。
Lodoss3800 1 year ago
wow this place is beautiful !!! that was real wasabi haha
maximefcom 2 years ago
The view in raining is also good!
pomraktick 2 years ago 2
That was fresh wasabi - from the ground!
You didn't mention how old this place is? Tokugawa, or Meiji? My guess is Showa, ca. 1950.
LivingDog94 2 years ago
~How VERY Cool~ I bet the food was great & Your family had a great time here. Loved seeing this place and the GArden gave me a few Ideas too :D
thanks papa :)
FeileCase 2 years ago
What a beautiful location! Plus hon-wasabi with the soba noodle sauce... oh my. :)
accskaguy 2 years ago
that was a lovely video of the resteraunt, what did catch my attention the most was how it was totally put of the way ofthe city.(out in the countryside, pouring down with rain,good food, thats my idea of tranquility :) )
- jack
p.s.
is it true that slurping your meal in japan is good manners? apparently it means you enjoy it haha
jacktrooper602 2 years ago
Hello Jack, Japanse people do indeed slurp their noodles (quite loudly in fact) which I believe is a sign that one is enjoying the noodles. I'm not sure if making noises is a polite thing with other foods though. -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
Would you say this resturant would be expensive to attend for one person travelling through?
Seanuk 2 years ago
Hello Seanuk, I seem to remember that our lunches cost us about 1300 yen each which we thought was pretty reasonable for the amount and variety of food (not to mention the great atmosphere). -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
@softypapa
1300 yen each... so about $13 correct? If so, that is not bad at all. I mean to me $8 for a bowl is expensive, although they are large bowls, but the atmosphere and the food is worth $13 definately. When the video first started I saw the curtain and the dirt floor and I was like ok... I guess that is old fashioned and alright. Then saw the cauldren and the wood wall and was like... ok... then you went to the other room and showed the out side and every thing is just breath taking!
Jerrid3 1 year ago
to do slurp their noodles can taste the noodles with the soup. that is the reason.
and Soba was originally junk food in Edo era.
taka0h 2 years ago
I feel I have to go to this restaurant and hope it rains!! lol
Seanuk 2 years ago
The more I watch the videos you made (especially the ones with food shown, ha ha) the more I wanna visit japan and see eversthing with my own eyes...
NancyPickelneck 2 years ago
Hello NancyPickelneck, I too am especially fond of the food here in Japan which is very different from the Japanese food I could find in my home country (USA). The variety and freshness of the ingredients is very good and I am ever amazed at the wide range of foods, snacks and types of green tea which are included in the Japanese diet. I do hope that you will have a chance to come to Japan and experience these things for yourself. -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
You're a lucky man!
robertyada 2 years ago
Hello robertyada, Thanks for your kind words. I feel lucky to have the pleasure of your visit to one of my videos. Have a great weekend! -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
I like the small crab detail :D
As always, great video.
100mily 2 years ago
Hello 100mily, I'm glad that you liked the video. Thanks for coming along with us via YouTube! -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
I really love your videos, it makes me feel really relaxed, and your daughter is really cute :)
Derriickk 2 years ago
Hello Derriickk, Thanks for the kind words. I'm happy to hear that you find my little videos interesting. -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
I was totally lost in the moment watching this. How peaceful! I noticed the fan in the back ground. Is it warm this time of year, even though it's raining?
Heather
hlhover 2 years ago
Hi Heather, Summers are very hot in this part of Japan, even in the high mountains where this restaurant is located. The rain and clouds did certainly cool things down and I suspect that the fan is only used on the hottest days. :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
Thank you, MoonChild1981! It's great to finally have some time to make a few videos again. Your kind words are a great encouragement! Thanks again and have a great week! -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
oh, it's like heaven
StephenDruesedow 2 years ago
ひさしぶり！
Its been a long time since you posted some video's please keep them coming, and when are you going on a hike again? Those videos were the best!
hapsap 2 years ago
Long time no see indeed. Thank you for the nice welcome back. I will actually be hiking tomorrow and plan to bring the camera. With a little luck I may have something to share when I get back. Thank you for viewing and letting me know what you like. -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
speechless !!
ambucias 2 years ago
Hi Kurt :)
Long time no see since last autumn!
I was concerned about you and your family.
Glad to see your posting again.
shoeach 2 years ago
Hello shoeach, Thanks for your concern. We were all fine though work was keeping me so busy that I had no time to make videos. Things have at last cooled off and it's fun to begin posting again. Thanks again for your kind concern and for taking the time to comment. -Kurt and family :) :-) ;-)
softypapa 2 years ago
Great video. That looked like such an amazing place. I have only been to a house like that in a "living museum" North of Osaka. The forest in that area seems incredible. I suppose that's an aspect of Japan I don't get to appreciate too often since I live in the city!
Glad to see you posting video again. Hope there will be more to come :)
BusanKevin 2 years ago
Wow, this is an amazing video. That house looks so great and I love the way the gardens and stuff look all around it. There is something I love about that warm rainy weather and I can not think of a better place to experience it than in Japan.
I have never traveled Japan ( I am 18) but I plan to move there some day. This video is like exaclty what I love about Japan, it captures it beautifully.
It looks like you had a great day there with your family. You are a very lucky man :)
6663000 2 years ago
5:30 mmmmm matchaaaa!!!!
wtfbroskie 2 years ago
great video
thanks for sharing
ChillNAndy 2 years ago
Fresh-grated wasabi. That oughtta kick it up a notch!! This has been loooong overdue my friend! I'm sure there's a good reason for it. This video far exceeded my expectations. What a wonderful visual tour of part of the country I call home. I learn SO MUCH about my roots and what makes me who I am from watching these videos you post on here. And I can't thank you enough for it. But let me once again. Thanks for sharing!!!
I'm sure some are wondering too, but where exactly was this filmed?
TiramisuHappy 2 years ago 2
Thanks for the kind and encouraging words. I wish that I could remember the name of this village but alas I cannot. The best I can recall is that it is about halfway up the road to Umegashima from Shizuoka City along the Abe river. The village is quite small and the restaurant is up a hill and away from the highway. I think that there is a small sign (in Japanese of course) along the road near the restaurant. I hope that this helps. -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
I can see it says Nishimura (in hiragana) on the sleeve they put the chopsticks in. That's gotta be the name of the restaurant. So, I'll try to remeber it. There are TONS of restaurants that serve Japanese soba and udon here in New York. But probably none that lets you grate your own fresh wasabi at the table while sitting on the zabuton! : (
Thanks for the info anyway.
TiramisuHappy 2 years ago
Great eye and thanks for sharing what you found. We visited this place last year and I simply could not remember the name. Thank you for helping! -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
Phone: 243-2044. lol!
Now, THAT, my friend, is a great eye. ; P
TiramisuHappy 2 years ago
Wow! :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
K I will say it to welcome back and this makes the 100th video for you and what a great video
davevegas03 2 years ago
Hi Dave, It's nice to be posting again. Thanks for the nice words. How are your Japan travel plans shaping up? Will you be here soon? -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
Awesome looking place !
Thanks for the clip.
: )
Peekingduck 2 years ago
Tottemo Oishi so〜na soba!!
I'd like to go there some day..
but maybe too far kana? ha
Thank you so much for such nice clip and love it!!
KUSANAGIJOY 2 years ago
I believe that there is a bus line which runs through this little village. The only problem is that I have forgotten the name of the place and will need to go back again to find out. I hope that you have a chance to see this or other similar places for yourself in the future. -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
Thank you so much for the info...
Hope I can go there some day. My friend who loves Japan so much and knows about history etc. more than me may like to go there also.. 'tabun' ? ^^
Anyway, let me know that if you find out the name of the place. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!!
KUSANAGIJOY 2 years ago
i missed your videos. man. so what have you been up too?
kidzero22 2 years ago
Thanks for coming back to see what's new. I'm sorry to have been away so long. Work has kept me to the grindstone for many months though I am delighted to at last find some time to make some simple videos. Thanks again! -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
That was a great video. It's been a while since you last posted something! =) The place looks really calm and peaceful..you're so lucky to be able to visit such a place! ^___^ An it's nice to see Emily being her cute self again XD Thanks for sharing this vid!
amydien09 2 years ago
Thanks Kurt for a wonderful video. It's been awhile, keep them coming, I love them. You have a wonderful family..........Doug
tbone1143 2 years ago
Been a long time! What a wonderfull video! Please keep them comming!
murasakiryu 2 years ago
Marvelously charming, with a lovely view. Thank you for sharing the little family outing, per usual you seem to catch all the interesting things, from the grating to the waterfall!!
Your daughter is adorable as always, how old is she now?
~Kat
Luminasita 2 years ago
Hello Kat, Thanks for the kind words. Emily is now eight and in the third grade. Time flies so fast as they say and I can hardly believe how she has grown. Take care and thanks again! -Kurt :-)
softypapa 2 years ago
That place look very relaxing. Looks like you felt at home. That's cool that you got to see the waterfall :] If i ever get a chance to visit japan, I'd like to take a trip into the mountains.
xLacey 2 years ago
Gratz on 100th vid. I can't believe it has been 8 months since your last vid.
Ode1030 2 years ago
Welcome back and thanks for sharing!
watcher8o 2 years ago
Hey Softypapa, long time no see. Its been a while since your last vid ^^
Belenor 2 years ago
Wow wish i could go there
darkwolflord 2 years ago
great vid :P
drakcoreoriginal 2 years ago
すごい！
booiseeyou2 2 years ago