An thrilling journey to fascinating locations in winter on the “Flying Dragon Route” – a land in central Japan with a proud title, a spot that preserves many historical Japanese flavors with a bus move Handy & economical buses are ready so that you can uncover on this article!
Amongst these, Phuong Anh – a global pupil in Japan will got down to discover typical winter locations in Central Japan. Majestic nature engulfed in lovely white snow, peaceable historical streets that soothe the soul, scrumptious scrumptious meals or pure sizzling springs that heat the chilly physique, all are “fantastic presents”. of this Japanese winter can be actually felt and recorded by Phuong Anh within the article under.
NGUYEN PHUONG ANH
Likes touring alone, taking images and running a blog about Japanese and on a regular basis life in Japan. Whereas residing and dealing in Toyama, I wish to mark all my residing and experiences within the land of Cherry Blossoms, and share them with many individuals.
Nagano – Gifu – Aichi space
This can be a 2-day journey, making full use of the “Shoryudo Free Bus” bus move reserved for international vacationers to discover the central area of Japan. On the primary day, from the place to begin of Matsumoto metropolis, Nagano prefecture, we are going to go see the snow at “Shinhotaka”, the place you may admire the northern Japanese Alps in Gifu prefecture. Guests coming right here will admire the gorgeous gentle competition solely discovered on winter nights together with premium Hida beef. Day 2 can be a time to leisurely stroll at “Tsumago-juku” and “Magome-juku”, the place the traditional Japanese panorama stays in a light-weight blanket of falling snowflakes. Finish the right journey with scrumptious “Nagoya-meshi” in Nagoya.
Bus card “Shoryudo Free Bus”
http://www.mwt.co.jp/shoryudo/index_en.php (English)
Shinhotaka Ropeway – See the snow scene from the mountain
I boarded the practice departing from Toyama, transferred to the bus from Matsumoto station, Nagano. Simply had time to breathe within the cool, contemporary air, then run to discover a signal displaying instructions to the bus station, purchase a Nori-free bus ticket (free to alter flights) for the 3-day journey to start conquering. deliberate route.
My first vacation spot was the Shinhotaka cable automotive.
The bus went by way of winding curves into the mountains. The surroundings alongside the best way was rows of spindly, naked bushes, however that also didn’t take away from the great thing about the majestic mountains and forests. There was only a little bit of a chilly feeling on the opposite aspect. outdoors the window.
In the summertime I’ll undoubtedly come again right here, touring by way of these winding mountain roads, when the sky is evident, the inexperienced grass is cool and the wind is gentler. It can definitely be an exquisite pure scene.
The bus runs for two hours after which reaches the Shinhotaka cable automotive. The cable consists of 2 routes: “Ropeway 1” and “Ropeway 2” (Ropeway 2 is the one 2-story cable automotive in Japan). I climbed up Ropeway 1 to begin going to the observatory on the mountain. The cable began to go up, my mouth saved saying A, then O, as a result of the surroundings was so lovely.
Then, whereas ready for Ropeway 2 to alter, I soaked my ft within the sizzling water pool and watched folks taking part in in the remainder space close to Shirakaba-daira station.
It was fairly chilly, the snow was freezing all of the home windows, I couldn’t see the mountain clearly from the Ropeway 2 cable. On the Observatory, the temperature at the moment was -9, the bottom throughout my keep in Japan. expertise. My palms have been shaking, however I nonetheless smiled and took footage to commemorate the primary expertise of my life.
As a tropical lady like me, it may be mentioned that the sight of snow all the time makes me indescribably moved. I additionally took breathtakingly lovely images of the white snow.
Subsequent time, I can even come once more in winter to attempt the journey of mountain trekking, and see all the things extra intently and longer. (Despite the fact that I’m afraid of the chilly, I’m afraid hehe).
Lighting Taruma Kanekori
Leaving Shinhotaka, it was already afternoon. As a result of it will get darkish in a short time in winter, I obtained on the bus and continued to the place the place the “Lighting up Taruma Kanekori” occasion was held.
This waterfall freezes and is lit as much as create a magical scene. It’s mentioned that “Taruma Waterfall’s water” is superb for well being. Folks on this space, due to utilizing this water, reside very lengthy lives. In winter, the waterfall freezes, forming distinctive ice blocks. You actually have to return and see it to see the magic of nature with your personal eyes. Japan has 4 seasons, irrespective of which season they’re, all of them have their very own distinctive magnificence. Well worth the effort to seek out it.
Chill out at Hirayu Onsen
I arrived on the Hirayu onsen sizzling spring space, then went to the inn that I had booked prematurely. After many hours of strolling and being uncovered to the chilly, my energy was virtually exhausted. I checked in, rested a bit whereas ready for dinner to be served.
The meals is genuine Japanese model, organized superbly and delicately on the desk. Generally folks go to inns simply to take pleasure in a standard Japanese meal like this.
The spotlight of the dinner is Sabu-sabu sizzling pot with premium Hida beef. Sliced beef dipped in Dashi broth, including a bit Tsu-yu dipping sauce, skinny and tender, melts within the mouth. The accompanying greens are additionally contemporary and scrumptious.
Possibly it’s as a result of I’m hungry, so simply consuming a scrumptious piece of beef like that makes my complete physique come alive, my cheeks flip pink and I really feel full of happiness.
After consuming a scrumptious dinner, it was scrumptious. I took a take a look at the following day’s plans, then turned into my Yukata and went to take an Osen bathtub. Soaking within the Osen makes me really feel relieved, the new springs take my fatigue away. Generally as a result of it was so comfy, I unintentionally fell asleep for 5-10 minutes within the sizzling spring.
Lastly, finish the day with the heat and softness of a cotton blanket.
I forgot all of the chilly and shivers within the afternoon behind the door of the inn. Oyasuminasai! Good evening !
Stroll across the historical city
Within the morning, get up and have breakfast on the inn. I began taking the bus to Matsumono station, and altered trains to Nagiso station. From the station, take the bus to the cities of Tsumago-juku and Magome-juku. Each cities are situated on the Nakasendo street linking Edo and Kyoto – one of many 5 arterial roads in the course of the Edo period.
As quickly as I set foot on the principle avenue of the city, I used to be instantly captivated by the traditional conventional structure right here. The homes are lined up in rows, stunningly lovely. There are additionally younger vacationers coming right here, however most of them are older folks, maybe they arrive right here to see and reminisce.
After that, she guided me to go to the traditional village in line with the itinerary:
Go to Wakihonjin Historic Home – Okuya => Historic Documentation Room (Rekishi – Shiryuokan) => Tsumagojuku Historic Home – Honjin.
Probably the most memorable was on the outdated home Wakihonjin- Okuya, I used to be advised by Mrs. Matsushita how the Japanese folks of the Edo interval created the outdated home. How historical folks educated their youngsters by their roles and positions whereas gathering across the wooden range to heat themselves. Then there’s additionally the rationale and which means of the traditional Japanese arranging the lounge location, easy methods to prepare the home windows, and even the intention of lining the mattress and putting the heating range. Each association has its cause.
She spoke passionately as if she have been speaking about her personal life. I sat there admiring and listening with curiosity. She mentioned vacationers come right here to listen to tales like this. They wish to take heed to the voices and figures of historical past.
I additionally like her story very a lot. The best way she tells brings life to the home, making all the things extra vivid and fascinating than info simply learn by way of books and newspapers. It’s true that “100 hearings are inferior to one seeing”, “a day’s journey, a sieve of knowledge to be taught”.
Leaving Tsumago-juku filled with remorse, I boarded the bus to proceed to Magome-juku city. The city retains the environment of the period 300 years in the past, conventional homes are additionally lined up evenly on the paved streets, however the feeling is totally completely different from Tsumago-juku. Every city has a singular magnificence that’s troublesome to explain in phrases.
I used to be so engrossed in taking footage and seeing the city that I forgot about all of it afternoon. I finished to relaxation on the memento space, consuming Mochi and vegetable dumplings. When it’s chilly, consuming grilled Mochi with a wealthy, sizzling sauce is really scrumptious.
Nagoya dishes
I took the bus once more and went again to Nagoya – my last vacation spot. After two days of touring within the chilly of winter, I felt the necessity to reward myself with a scrumptious meaty dish to finish the journey.
I made a decision to eat Miso-Katsu (a well-known fried meat dish in Nagoya). The Miso sauce in Nagoya has a richer style than the Miso in different areas, so maybe it fits the style of Vietnamese folks. The meat and sauce are additionally very “cooking” so I ate all of it deliciously inside 5 minutes. It’s so satisfying.
Conclude
With every passing day, I like and love Japan increasingly more. It’s not simply from the modernity of a bustling, civilized metropolis. But additionally from the countryside, historical locations, from the hidden tales that I heard advised.
When going to Japan, in the event you solely search for affluent city areas, it’s going to in all probability be a giant mistake. I particularly advocate Chubu – a country mountain space, imbued with the normal id of the Japanese folks. If town middle represents robust financial growth, then the normal countryside represents the spirit and coronary heart of the Japanese folks. And that is the place you may absolutely immerse your self in the great thing about nature.
Go, come and really feel it for your self. I imagine all experiences gained by way of the journey enrich our outlook on life.
Welcome to Chu-bu, the place majestic mountains and forests cowl your complete land and sky.
Info
Shinhotaka cable automotive
Taruma Kanekori Gentle Competition
- Deal with: 1041 Okuhidaonsengo Hitoegane, Takayama Metropolis, Gifu Prefecture
Time: from the top of December to the top of February (till February 28, 2018)
Web site: http://www.okuhida.or.jp/en/archives/2945 (English)
Tsumago-juku
Deal with: 2159-2 Azuma, Nagiso-machi, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Web site: https://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/spot/histarch/tsumagojuku.html (English)
Magome-juku