012: Japan 2016 Day 12 | Once Upon a Time in Japan: Kiso Valley

2016年 12月 24日 (土)

A quick nom nom stop at the station provided the day’s lunch, given that I didn't have a clue as to what food establishments were out there.

P012JPND1201 train passing the station as people wait for another.jpg
P012JPND1202A circular pastry dusted with icing sugar with a well to hold a strawberry.jpg
P012JPND1202B tray of cone shaped pastries topped with the French flag.jpg

Today’s trekking tour through the Kiso Valley led us through Magome and Tsumago, small towns that served as pit stops for the trading travellers that often frequented the strenuous hike. What was so special about this place that we travelled hours from Nagoya to visit? Amazingly, the towns have been preserved to uphold the appearance it once did centuries ago. Going as far as not allowing vehicles to pass through the main roads and hiding power lines.

P012JPND1204 panorama of Japanese countryside in Kisoji.jpg
P012JPND1205 small road with store fronts adorning its sides.jpg
P012JPND1206 steep incline in postal town of Magome.jpg
P012JPND1207 old soba restaurant in the town of Magome.jpg
P012JPND1208 tourists travelling upward to the next postal town.jpg
P012JPND1209 historic signboard of postings and notifications.jpg

Coming off the bus was like stepping into a time slip. It was a beautiful sight before me and this was going to last the odd 10kms. In between the towns, the hike weaved in and out of the wildlands, occasionally crossing back into modern society with its well kept roads.

P012JPND1210 an old sighboard, a rosetta stone like rock and an info pole.jpg
P012JPND1211 group of friends are fascinated by a bear bell.jpg
P012JPND1212 group of friends still amused by the bear bell.jpg
P012JPND1213 a small rest area consisting of wood.jpg
P012JPND1214A handsome man sips tea in stereotypical asian way.jpg
P012JPND1214B handsome man cannot contain his laughter.jpg
P012JPND1215 a bear bell to ward away wild bears during the hike.jpg
P012JPND1216 small stream flowing down the mountain trail.jpg
P012JPND1218A group of friends acting like a bunch of goofs.jpg
P012JPND1218B group of friends continuing little charade of goofs.jpg
P012JPND1219 stepping back into modern day society with well kept roads.jpg
P012JPND1220 bathrooms for hikers at the Tsumago end of the trail.jpg
P012JPND1221 empty road at the town of Tsumago.jpg
P012JPND1222 desolate road at the town of Tsumago.jpg
P012JPND1223 taking a look at the different souvenirs.jpg
P012JPND1224 older man steaming some buns in an Adidas cap.jpg
P012JPND1225 the beautifully preserved town of Tsumago.jpg

The hike was a fantastic time with: stunning sceneries, rambunctious ringing of bear bells, good friends, minimal tourists and finding fat stacks of yen. And as much effort it takes to make your way out, the payout is very much worth it.

P012JPND1227 boy in beanie looks down.jpg
P012JPND1229A girl posing the peace sign.jpg
P012JPND1230 trio of friends pose for a photo.jpg
P012JPND1231 Japanese countryside view as the train travels through.jpg
P012JPND1232 sunset glows over the Japanese countryside.jpg

Back to Nagoya and we rendezvous with our one and only fakeboi. Only to separate, once again, to find some grub. Stumbling into ESCA, an underground shopping complex below Nagoya station, we found the night’s menu.

I found myself at the tables of Kishimen-tei, where I had a curry kishimen(?). A flat noodle dish that seems to be a Nagoya thing. The serving was massive and piping hot but falls short with an average taste and not so nice pricing.

P012JPND1233 bowl of steaming hot curry kishimen.jpg
P012JPND1235A sitting in a LEGO City car, the group of friends strike a peace pose.jpg
P012JPND1235B sitting in a LEGO City car, a girl strikes a peace pose.jpg

Closing the last night in Nagoya was a quick trip to the shopping strip and an unwanted return to the bnb... Having barely scraped the surface of what Nagoya had to offer, we had to move on. Up next, we hit up Hakuba to hit up the slopes. Thanks for reading and join me next time as I tumble down the slope of embarrassment.

P012JPND1236A boy knocked out cold on the couch.jpg
P012JPND1236B boy wrapped in blanket and travel pillow snoozing away.jpg

Aww was that too short and sweet? Head on over to Carolyn's post for more. Even shorter and sweeter, here's Vivian's video snippet of our day trip.