Life between trips

1 Chome-1-7 Central, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0811, Japan During our stay in Matsumoto, we chose Super Hotel Matsumoto Ekimae  スーパーホテル松本駅前   a practical hotel located just a few minutes' walk from Matsumoto Station.  We weren't looking for anything luxurious — just a clean, comfortable place for the night before continuing our journey. In that respect, the hotel delivered exactly what we needed. Excellent Location One of the biggest advantages of this hotel is its location. Being close to Matsumoto Station made it easy to: Walk to nearby restaurants and convenience stores Explore the city centre Leave early the next morning without any hassle Although we were driving, having everything within walking distance was still very convenient. Parking The hotel parking is chargeable, but this wasn't an issue for us. The parking area is shared among several hotels in the vicinity, and despite arriving by car, we had no difficulty finding a lot. Considering how convenient the location...

Morning Start: A Simple In-Room Breakfast Since we planned to head out early to Kamikochi, we kept breakfast simple. The night before, we bought some bread from a local bakery (honestly can’t remember the name), and had it in our room the next morning. I paired it with the Yirgacheffe coffee I brought from home, which turned out to be such a good decision — smooth, fragrant, and comforting. Although the hotel had basic amenities available for use, they didn’t provide coffee or tea in the room, which was a bit surprising. Our room also didn’t include breakfast, but that wasn’t a big issue since there were still options outside if needed. That said, I really enjoyed this quiet little breakfast moment — simple, but peaceful before a full day out. Trip to Kamikochi: Not Quite According to Plan According to my original plan, we were supposed to: 👉 start at Taisho Pond 👉 then walk one-way towards the bus pick-up point But… I completely forgot everything I planned  We arrived at the par...

354 Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu 501-5627, Japan Hakusuien came highly recommended by my husband’s friend, so naturally I went in with fairly high expectations. Located in the heart of Shirakawa-go, it’s a convenient and popular lunch spot, especially for tourists and tour groups. But after trying it myself… I’d say it was more “okay” than memorable . The restaurant has a nice traditional setup, with tatami-style seating and a classic countryside feel. It does give you that “I’m eating in Shirakawa-go” experience, which is part of the charm. Food Experience The Highlight: Hida Beef on Magnolia Leaf  飛騨牛 朴葉味噌 We each ordered the Hida beef cooked on a magnolia leaf with miso teishoku , which is one of their signature dishes. The beef itself was tender and flavourful The miso added a nice smoky, savoury taste That said, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. Also, I accidentally left the beef on the leaf for too long and it ended up getting burnt, so do keep an eye on it ...

Tucked away in the remote mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go feels like a place frozen in time. With its steep thatched-roof farmhouses, misty valleys, and slow rural pace, visiting this UNESCO World Heritage village is less about ticking off a sightseeing spot and more about stepping gently into Japan’s past. A Glimpse into History Shirakawa-go’s history stretches back over 1,000 years, shaped largely by its isolated geography. Heavy snowfall in winter once cut the village off from the outside world, forcing residents to become self-sufficient and tightly knit as a community. The village is most famous for its gasshō-zukuri houses , a traditional architectural style named after hands pressed together in prayer. These steeply slanted roofs were designed to prevent heavy snow from accumulating and collapsing the structure. Remarkably, the roofs are built without nails, relying instead on intricate wooden joinery. Historically, these large homes housed extended families and suppo...

Japan, 〒506-0021 Gifu, Takayama, Nadamachi, 6 Chome−６−4 Dinner at 飛騨米屋食事処 wasn’t part of the plan—it was more of a last-minute save. A Bit of Chaos Before Dinner We had somewhere else in mind initially, but when we arrived… it was closed. With options getting limited, we ended up randomly picking 飛騨米屋食事処. Timing-wise, we barely made it: Upon entering, we were told the kitchen had already closed Only one set meal was available About 30 minutes after we sat down, the restaurant closed completely So this was really a “just in time” situation. The Meal With no choices, we both had the same set. Overall, the food was not too bad—simple, comforting, and honestly quite satisfying after the stress of hunting for dinner. Hida Beef (Second Time, Better Experience) What made this meal feel more special was how it echoed something we had just experienced earlier in the day— Hida beef cooked on a magnolia leaf . At first, it felt like just a unique way of cooking. But the more we saw it around Tak...

Address: Japan, 〒506-0011 Gifu, Takayama, Honmachi, 2 Chome−５２ There’s something quietly magical about starting your day at Don Coffee . It’s not the kind of café that chases trends or reinvents itself for social media. Instead, it feels like a place that has simply… stayed the same —and that’s exactly what makes it special. First Impressions: Stuck in Time (In the Best Way) Walking into Don Coffee is like opening the door to the past. The moment you step inside, you feel it: Dim, warm lighting that softens everything Dark wooden furniture worn in just the right way Walls that seem to carry decades of quiet conversations Nothing here is polished or modern—and that’s the charm. It’s not staged nostalgia; it feels authentic, almost untouched by time. Like the café has been sitting here for years, watching the world outside change while it stays exactly as it is. It gives off that unmistakable “Showa-era kissaten” vibe— a place where time slows down the second you sit. The Breakfast Set: ...