yudanaka-obuse-shinshu nakano

Breakfast the next morning also had more Nagano items like miso with shoga

An unusual item was the soy meat simmered with ginger

After checking out we explored the Shibu Onsen area which is about 32 minutes walking from where we were staying.

Kanaguya was apparently a model in the Ghibli film "Spirited Away"

Again, the fall colors were very vibrant!

We then explored the upper area of Yudanaka where the Sekai Heiwa (World Peace) Kannon is

It was cool to see apples growing along the roadway

We also explored Issa's walk, Kobayashi Issa was a poet and I think he was from the Yudanaka area.

I was really impressed that this small town had wifi service everywhere!

From Yudanaka we took the train to Obuse

Obuse is known for chestnuts...in the past we tried Obusedo's mont blanc

Their kuri daifuku! was so ono

One huge chestnut is surrounded by kuri paste then wrapped with a soft mochi...

Lunch was at Masuichi Club, I tried their Shinshu Pork with apples and balsamic sauce...so so good! The pork had a crisp outer crust and the meat was so tender

Satoshi had their Shinshu Pork Ginger, he let me taste some and it was so good too.

The yamaimo (Chinese yam) pickles were so good!

After lunch we checked out the Hokusai Museum.

Apparently Hokusai was in this area for many years.

The panels in front are real, and huge! the ones on the float's ceiling above are replicas

This variety of chrysanthemum is called Hokusai tomoe nishiki...so pretty!

We saw these at the Takai Kouzan Memorial Hall

Again the fall colors were vibrant especially at the Obuse Museum and Nakajima Chinami Museum

It was a great day

From Obuse we headed back to Shinshu Nakano, to meet up with Satoshi's classmate for dinner.

Masuichi Club

807 Obuse

Kamitakai, Nagano

Open daily 11:00-22:00

Obusedo Sanpuro

500 Obuse

Kamitakai, Nagano

Open daily 9:00-17:00

Route Inn Grand

4-3-27 Nishi

Nakano, Nagano