Japan ‘23 Day 9: Nagano & Pension Azalea
I slept so well last night. This morning everyone left for work/school so I made some toast and coffee for breakfast and sorted through my photos, caught up on texts and emails, and watched Japanese television, though I didn’t understand much of it. It was sunny outside so I went for a walk around the neighborhood. Mariko had a half day off so she came home around lunch time and I helped her make lunch, which was udon with vegetables and tofu.
Around 3 in the afternoon, we left for Mariko’s parents’ inn, Pension Azalea. It is about an hour drive up into the mountains. The roads are narrow and windy, but the views are spectacular. The autumn leaves were further along the higher we got. On the way, we stopped at a popular spot for photos and autumn leaf viewing, Kagami-ike Pond. It was raining at this point but we had umbrellas so we walked around a bit and took some photos. There was a mist/fog so we couldn’t see the rocky part of the mountains, but the trees and pond were beautiful.
We arrived at Pension Azalea around 5 and I got a warm welcome from Mariko’s parents and sister. I was so happy to see them. I have only met them once, 5 years ago, but I feel close to them. Mariko’s mother served us cake and tea – she said it was “welcome cake” – a chiffon cake with blueberry filling and apricot on top. Most of the food that she makes there comes from vegetables and fruits grown and harvested either at the inn, or local.
After our snack, I put on an apron and helped with prep cook, cleaning and serving for the 7 guests who were staying there. Mariko’s mom not only cooks delicious food, but makes it look beautiful. After the guests dined and left, I helped clean up, prepare our dinner and prep food for the next morning. Then it was time for us to eat.
Dinner was kamaboko (fish cake) and sansai (mountain vegetable), korinki (a crunchy squash-like vegetable), kinoko (mushroom) and tofu soup, potato quiche, pumpkin gratin, rice with maron (chestnut), and fish with mushrooms. Mariko’s dad brought out special Nihonshu to drink.
It was a lovely dinner with fun conversation. Mariko’s father used to be a mountain guide for hiking and climbing. He showed me a photo of the mountain near Kagami-ike that he used to climb almost every day. There is a knife-edge part of the trail, and in the photo you can see a climber on it. I asked him if I could take a picture of him with the photo.
We talked about many topics in a mix of English and Japanese. I understood some of the Japanese, and Mariko helped me translate. Eventually, it was our turn for the bath, so Mariko and I said goodnight and got our towels and toiletries and went to the bath. The bath was so hot and peaceful. Afterwards we went to our room where we had already made up our futons. I slept very soundly and comfortably.
- Posted in: Uncategorized
origamiunicorn 