Japan Trip #10 - Chasing snow and onsen during zombie apocalypse

[rbjhan]

Lunch time, hmmm, same old question again: if not soba, what?!
Err I like Nagano & Matsumoto, but ready to leave Shinshu now

Remembering there's an Unagi restaurant nearby, I decided to check it out.
Look at all the Binchotan! Must be a good restaurant...


Errr.....I was full of hope then I walked in and realised it's all tatami seating


If I could find a polite way to walk out, I would....can't even do it in Melbourne, forget about Japan.

At least the Unagi was delicious!

 

[rbjhan]

Interestingly, looking through the pictures I can't remember what I did in the afternoon, as there were none
Must be just walking around then got back to the hotel for an early soak...

Anyways the next thing I do remember is dinner, ha ha.
Found one I liked inside Midori, yeah it's the same Department store just like Nagano. Except this one is much smaller.


Ordered the beef on rice, yum!

 

[rbjhan]

4 years ago I first saw Matsumoto castle in the evening and fell in love...
Obviously need to do that again.






This was a lovely finish.
Next morning Ieft for Okuhida onsen.

 

[rbjhan]

Okuhida onsen, deep in the Japan Alps, is actually not one place but 5 onsen towns.
Hirayu onsen, is the largest, and the transport hub.
Fukuji onsen, relatively new but with more traditional style ryokan made from reclaimed materials.
Shin Hirasyu onsen, 2nd largest.
Tochio onsen, mainly minshuku here.
Shin Hotaka onsen, at the base of Mt Hotaka, furthest back.

Although I planned to stay here from the very beginning, I didn't finalise the booking till late January. That's when I found availability at Yumoto Choza.

This being Japan, I didn't expect early check in. And I knew there's pretty much nothing else in Okuhida onsen. So I bought bus ticket to leave Matsumoto at 1.05pm.

Unfortunately the morning was rained-off...
Lunch was Miso ...actually I'm not going to say what it was...you guys can have a guess


Only about 10 boarded the bus to Takayama.
Note: to get to Fukuji onsen one needs to transfer at Hirayu onsen.


Hirayu onsen bus terminal

 

[rbjhan]

Entrance to Yumoto Choza was right next to the bus stop, very handy.


I call it entrance because you still need to walk 2, 3 mins to get to the actual ryokan.
Via this covered walkway.


Lobby


And look at this! I fell in love instantly.

 

[rbjhan]

This ryokan is oh so traditional....


My room, their entry level 10 tatami Japanese room in the main building.


Balcony? Not quite sure how you call this area...


View, not bad.


Toilet and vanity at the corner. No bathroom.


Looking at the entrance.

 

[rbjhan]

First thing first, onsen!


There are 3 private onsens, no need to reserve. As long as the light is green you can just walk in.


Walkway to the private onsen.


Onsen #4
This was one of the private onsens.


Great feeling soaking in the outdoor onsen in the rain...was a bit cold though, so I kept moving between indoor and outdoor...

 

[rbjhan]

After the soak, I went to explore some more.
Lost count how many walkways they have.


And all these lounges. So cozy.

 

[rbjhan]

Dinner was in a private dining room


Menu presentation


Food was okay, local dishes galore.


I don't drink, loving the non alcohol beers in Japan.


Main dish was sukiyaki.


The owner came in halfway to say thank you, although the only English word he mastered was "boss" while pointing to himself

 

[rbjhan]

Onsen #5
Another private onsen in the evening.


If I stop here, this ryokan would have scored 100.
Sadly nothing is perfect...


I've stayed in tatami rooms before, never had any problems so I didn't think to check the futon until it was too late (literally!)
The duvet was super warm, futon very thin, and the pillow! Oh dear what was the filling?!! Buckwheat? I had no idea, but it was TERRIBLE.
Checked the cupboards, that's only type of pillow.
Let's just say I didn't sleep very well that night.

 

[Justinf]

Sapporo does a very reasonable zero alcohol beer.
I tried it at the brewery museum in Sapporo.
Would definitely drink it back home when I am driving or just don't want to drink booze.
I realise my TRs paint me out to be a raging drunk, but I honestly don't drink much at home.

 

[rbjhan]

I realise my TRs paint me out to be a raging drunk,

What?! No I would never...

 

[rbjhan]

So I got up at about 6.30 in the morning feeling rather grumpy....
Only way to compensate was more onsen!

Onsen #6
The main public bath.
Rustic is the word!


Outdoor onsen
This picture doesn't do it justice...


As I walked past the private onsens I saw the one I didn't try before was available. So....
Onsen #7


Also with its own outdoor part.

 

[rbjhan]

If you think I was done you clearly don't know me....
Yumoto Choza has another onsen by the river which is about 5 mins walk across the street.

Onsen #8



No washing facilities here, not a problem since I did that already.


Listening to the river, that was sooooo good.

 

[rbjhan]

Breakfast, same dining room as the night before.


That was my room

Really really liked this ryokan.
Well next time I'll write in advance to ask for a memory foam pillow!

 

[rbjhan]

I wanted to go to Shin Hotaka Ropeway.
Unfortunately that morning it looked like this:


Also checked the live cam on their website, visibility is zero alright.
Oh well maybe next time.
So bused to Takayama instead. And since I had a couple of extra hours on my hands, Hida beef lunch!
Yeah I know my TR paints the picture of someone eating non-stop, but that actually is me in real life




Yum!!!

 

[rbjhan]

Some sightseeing in Takyama.
The old town.


Takayama Jinya


I'm a great fan of Japanese gardens.


Then onto the Wide View Hida towards Gero.

 

[craven morehead]

So I got up at about 6.30 in the morning feeling rather grumpy....
Only way to compensate was more onsen!

Onsen #6
The main public bath.
Rustic is the word!
View attachment 208175

Outdoor onsen
This picture doesn't do it justice...
View attachment 208176

As I walked past the private onsens I saw the one I didn't try before was available. So....
Onsen #7
View attachment 208177

Also with its own outdoor part.
View attachment 208178

I need to go to this stunning place as long as they have changed the pillows!

 

[rbjhan]

I need to go to this stunning place as long as they have changed the pillows!

Or bring your own!
Come to think of it, that might not be such a bad idea...
In general I'm not a fan of Japanese pillows

 

[LadyC]

So bused to Takayama instead. And since I had a couple of extra hours on my hands, Hida beef lunch!

Yum!!!
View attachment 208187

That beef looks sensational!