Life between trips

2533-1 Oishi, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0305, Japan When planning our trip to Kawaguchiko, I knew I wanted to experience glamping at least once. Traditional camping sounded a little too adventurous for me, and since neither of us had any camping experience, glamping felt like the ideal way to enjoy the outdoors while still having a proper bed, heating and modern facilities. TOCORO. Mt.Fuji CAMP & GLAMPING seemed like the perfect compromise. Nestled in a forest near Lake Kawaguchiko, the property offers a camping experience with many tents enjoying views of Mount Fuji, all while providing comforts that regular camping simply doesn't. Arrival Day: Rain, Rain and More Rain Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans for us. It was a wet and rainy day when we arrived. Even so, TOCORO still felt like stepping into a peaceful nature retreat. The white tents scattered throughout the forest looked charming against the misty backdrop, creating an almost fairy...

  If you're planning a visit to Jigokudani Yaen Koen (Snow Monkey Park), ENZA Café is arguably the best place to stop before or after the monkey walk. Conveniently located right at the entrance of the forest trail leading to the park, it's hard to miss and makes for a perfect rest stop.  We dropped by after visiting the snow monkeys and only then realised that the café actually has indoor seating. Since we hadn't noticed that earlier, we ended up ordering from the outdoor terrace section, which operates more like a takeaway counter. The terrace was still a pleasant place to sit and enjoy a snack while soaking in the fresh mountain air. F ood & Drinks The star of the show was undoubtedly the Nagano Apple Pie . Made with local apples, it had a flaky crust and a generous apple filling that wasn't overly sweet. It's easy to see why so many visitors recommend it. Of course, we couldn't resist ordering the famous Monkey Latte , which comes topped with an adorable ...

  Dinner at Matsumoto 萬来  Banrai, Matsumoto For dinner in Matsumoto, we visited Banrai , a very popular local restaurant known for its extensive menu and unique Japanese delicacies. One of the signature dishes we tried was the Zuku Karaage (fried chicken) . The meat was quite thick and on the drier side, with a flavour profile that reminded me of lemon chicken. It had a peppery, slightly tangy taste that was enjoyable, although the texture wasn't my favourite. The skin, however, was excellent, crispy and savoury, with a flavour that oddly reminded me of agedashi tofu. Speaking of tofu, the agedashi tofu was one of the highlights of the meal. Lightly crisp on the outside and silky inside, it was comforting and well-executed. We also ordered the egg with whitebait . The egg was soft, fluffy, and slightly runny, giving it a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The seasoning was delicate, allowing the natural flavours of the whitebait to come through. For sashimi, both the maguro ...

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: ...