Life between trips

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After a relatively relaxed day, it was time for another chiong day , this time to Jigokudani Yaen Koen (Snow Monkey Park) . Getting there wasn't exactly effortless. From the entrance, it's about a 40-minute walk through the forest before reaching the monkey viewing area. The trail itself is easy enough, but it felt much longer because Mister was taking his own sweet time after I broke the news that there was a chance we might not see any monkeys at all that day! His disappointment was understandable. We had heard that for the past week, there hadn't been any monkeys at the park, so expectations were already quite low before we even started the hike. As it turned out, we were actually very fortunate. When we finally arrived, there were no large groups of monkeys soaking in the famous hot springs that appear in all the postcards and travel photos. But after a bit of searching, we managed to spot three snow monkeys roaming around the area. They occasionally stopped to observ...

Matsumoto Castle is one of the highlights of central Japan and easily one of the most impressive castles I've visited. Unlike many Japanese castles that were reconstructed after wars or natural disasters, Matsumoto Castle retains much of its original structure, giving it an authentic and historic atmosphere. This enduring preservation is even more remarkable when you consider its deep heritage: during its 280 years of military use, the castle was governed by 23 successive lords representing six different daimyo families. The castle's iconic black exterior, which has earned it the nickname "Crow Castle," is particularly striking. Surrounded by a peaceful moat, it offers some of the most picturesque castle views in the country. The reflection of the castle on the water creates fantastic photo opportunities from almost every angle. One interesting feature of Matsumoto Castle is its architecture. Although from the outside it appears to be a five-storey castle, it actuall...

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: ...

Address: 56-2 Aioimachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0014, Japan We arrived at Takayama at 6 pm and head out for dinner to  Menya Shirakawa Annex around 7pm and were pleasantly surprised— no queue at all , which already felt like a small win. Service was quick and efficient, and the staff were genuinely friendly and welcoming. Bonus points for having an English menu , which makes ordering easy for non-Japanese diners. Menya Shirakawa serves Takayama ramen , a regional style from Gifu Prefecture. Unlike the heavier tonkotsu ramen many of us are used to, Takayama ramen features: A soy sauce-based broth built on chicken stock Enhanced with fish (bonito) and vegetables, simmered for hours A darker, almost black-looking soup with deep umami flavour Curly noodles designed to absorb the broth well Toppings like flame-grilled chashu and a generous amount of spring onions, which are a specialty of the region It’s a style that leans more towards clean, layered flavours rather than richness. What We ...

We headed to Takayama and stayed at Amanek Hotel , a relatively new hotel that just opened in October 2025  and it definitely shows in the overall condition and design. Rooms The rooms were spacious (for Japan standards), very clean, modern, and tastefully furnished. Everything felt new and well put together, with a modern aesthetic that made the stay comfortable and relaxing. Facilities One of the highlights is the onsen located on Level 9. Includes a sauna and common bath area There is also a  mixed-gender section where bathing suits are required A nice spot to unwind after a long day The hotel also has a small lounge area with added perks: Dango served from 7–9pm Drinks available from 3–7pm These little extras made the stay feel more thoughtful and enjoyable. Parking Parking is available at two locations, but it is first come, first served , so you may need to plan ahead if you’re driving. The second parking space is a walking distance from hotel. Facilities (Lau...

At nagoya, I tried two very different food spots — a lively izakaya experience at Sekai no  Yamachan and a quieter, more comforting stop at T subame Milk & Bread . Both couldn’t be more different, but each had its own charm. Sekai no Yamachan — Peppery Wings & Izakaya Bites 3 Chome-9-16 Nishiki, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0003, Japan I first visited Yamachan, famous for its Nagoya-style chicken wings, and it definitely lived up to its reputation — at least for the wings. Fried Chicken Wings (Tebasaki) The highlight of the meal. The skin was super crispy , and what really stood out was the heavy punch of black pepper . It’s not your typical saucy wing — more of a dry, spice-forward flavour. If you enjoy bold seasoning, this definitely hits the spot. I paired it with an umeshu soda , which turned out to be a great choice — refreshing with a slight sweetness that balanced the strong peppery kick nicely. Fried Garlic Rice This one was a bit underwhelming. The rice lacked fra...