Kiso-Fukushima

We’re traveled out of the city into the Kiso mountains northwest of Tokyo, in Nagano prefecture, which once hosted the Winter Olympics. It’s a bit colder here and rainy, but nonetheless beautiful with rushing rivers and cloud-covered hilltops. According to the local tourism bureau, 

“During the Edo period (1603-1868), Kiso Fukushima was the most important post town of the Kiso Valley. From here, the prefectural magistrate governed the entire region and oversaw one of the four Nakasendo checkpoints. No traveler could pass without presenting an official border-crossing permit.” Tomorrow we will visit that border gate as well as hike a short part the Nakasendo trail that runs from Kyoto to Tokyo.

Tonight, we’re staying in a ryokan, one of the inns in Kiso Fukushima, a post town along the Nakasendo trail that has been operating here for more than 300 years. 

We settled in around 5 PM and quickly jumped into the mineral bath (Onsen) fed by local mountain waters. A great antidote to busy Tokyo.

Here we are in our traditional ryokan robes, which we wear around the inn and to meals.

Tonight we feasted on a traditional ryokan dinner: a 6-course meal that was as beautiful as it was tasty. Check this out:

Tuna and scallop sashimi

Sea bream hot pot

Rice with vegetables and soup

Ontake konjac, sesame tofu and grilled sweet fish

Stewed pork 

Grilled beef and vegetables

Plus dessert and, of course, green tea.

We’re well fueled for tomorrow’s hike. :)