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Travel Tips

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Directly across the street from the Kamogawa Grand Hotel (yesterday's post) is the lovely 'Earth Tree Cafe'. The cafe's specialty is this one-plate vegan lunch, which is made of seasonal ingredients and is really delicious. It cost around 1000 yen. Meat-lovers should order the karaage (fried chicken) set, which is also excellent. The cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is closed on Mondays & Tuesdays. English is spoken. https://www.earthtree.info @excursions_japan #japan #foodie #chiba #vegan #veganinjapan #cafe
Whenever I take a day-trip in winter, a soak in an onsen is always on the agenda. The Kamogawa Grand Hotel has an amazing open-air bath overlooking the sea. A visit to the bath is 1500 yen and the hotel also offers a fantastic lunch & bath combo for 4000 yen. In warmer seasons, this outdoor patio and pool are also a wonderful place to relax. As the hotel was almost completely remodeled in 2018 (they seem to be finishing up right now), it is an excellent accommodation choice. https://www.kgh.ne.jp/04/english/ @excursions_japan #japan #chiba #kamogawa #hotel #tokyodaytrip
As it almost never snows in Kamogawa, southern Chiba Prefecture, it is a great choice for a winter day-trip by car. One of the top sights in the area is 'Tai-no-ura' (the Bay of Sea Bream) & nearby Tanjoji Temple, which was built to honor the famous priest, Nichiren Shonin. It is said that a large school of tai (red sea bream) gathered in the bay here on the day of his birth. Normally found in deeper waters, sea bream can still be found in the shallow bay beside the temple. Considered sacred, the tai cannot be caught. Instead, boat cruises take tourists into the bay to view the fish and the lovely surrounding coastline. @excursions_japan #chiba #japan #daytripfromtokyo #temple
Where to stay when visiting Matsumoto? There are a variety of options, but I really love the Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu. Established in 1896, it is a classic 'Western' style hotel filled with Matsumoto's unique Mingei (folk craft) furniture. The hotel was recently remodeled but still retains its old-fashioned atmosphere. With a main building and an annex, there are a variety of room types (and price levels) to choose from. There is also a public hot spring bath filled with 'Fukashi water' which was originally snow in the Japanese Alps. It is reputed to be very good for your health. We opted out of meals as the hotel sits in a neighborhood full of little bars and restaurants - including those along famous Nakamachi-dori. *See yesterday's post about the sake bar, Itoya. Matsumoto Castle is only minutes away. There is an upscale restaurant on-site, but we really loved the Cafe Yatoro-onkan which offered a tasty, reasonable breakfast the next morning. http://matsumotohotel-kagetsu.com/english/ @excursions_japan #japan #nagano #hotel #matsumoto
If you stay overnight in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, I highly recommend a visit to Itoya, a sake bar/restaurant on Nakamachi-dori. Itoya has only about 10 counter seats and is run by a lovely Japanese lady. Her specialty is oden, but she also offers a variety of small seasonal dishes - with most items made with local ingredients. I had a delicious mushroom, tofu, and vegetable noodle soup, mixed homemade pickles, and a 3-glass sampler set of local sake. It is easy to order as Itoya has a flip-card English menu with photos. Closed on Monday & Tuesday. https://m.facebook.com/itoya.k.2003/ @excursions_japan #japan #nagano #matsumoto #sakebar
One of Japan's most beautiful castles, Matsumoto-jo, has the oldest donjon remaining in Japan - construction began in 1592. It is one of five castles designated a 'National Treasure of Japan'. The castle sits in the middle of a lovely small-sized city in Nagano Prefecture and is a wonderful overnight trip from Tokyo. @excursions_japan #japan #nagano #matsumoto #castle

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