Places I'd like to go in Japan: MATSUMOTO đŻâ°ïž (Nagano Prefecture)
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 9. 09. 2020
- Why go to Matsumoto? All the things I was planning to do on my cancelled Japan trip in Nagano prefecture and the Japanese alps!
A new series sharing places from my Japan wishlist, to give you ideas for places to go and introduce things to do in Japan you might not have thought of, and hidden spots away from the usual tourist destinations. Here's why I wanted to go to Matsumoto, and all the things you can do on day trips around Nagano prefecture, including Matsumoto Castle, artwork by Yayoi Kusama, Daio Wasabi Farm, cycling in Azumino with views of the Japanese alps, hiking in the mountains in Kamikochi, the amazing snow walls of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Lake Suwa (from the anime film Your Name!). I've also included some train passes you can get for the area, including the JR East Pass I was going to use.
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I visited Azumino and Nagano City in Fall 2017 with my sister! There's a relatively well known Flute maker in Azumino called Altus Flutes and I needed something repaired. I brought my item in expecting to pay between 100-300 dollars for the repair and expecting it to take a week or two, but they finished it while I waited and gave me a tour of the factory, all at no charge! That was really one of the main highlights of that trip for me.
Ah that sounds fantastic! That's so nice of them to give you a tour of the factory - that must have been really interesting for a flute player. It's so good when you get such excellent customer service like that - truly above and beyond!
Iâm Dutch so feel very lucky to mention my boyfriend is from Azumino. We Dutchies love mountains, and every time we visit his family for some days I cannot help but think itâs the most beautiful place in Japan. Havenât been in 4 years now đą, hope to finally get back this autumn.
Ooh good to hear it's as beautiful as it looks! I was looking forward to going there and Kamikochi. Mountains seem exotic to me too - there are none near where I live and only small ones in England!
@@cakeswithfaces itâs a honestly magical place, also the sunniest place in winter! The lake close to the wasabi farm is full of migrating Russian swans in winter, which is also beautiful âșïž!! In summer cosmos and sunflowers are everywhere đ»đž
@@paulinawilhelmina3933 That sounds beautiful! Hope I can make it there one day!
hello amy , we have had the the luck to of been to matsumoto on 4 occasions so needless to say it is one of our favourites. Great castle , yayoi kusama birth place , short trip to Hokusai museum , onsen , the list just goes on n on . Am planning our next trip in 2023 and we are taking friends back there .Great shopping too and a fantastic little old shopping st on the river . Plus if your there in winter the snow monkeys are just a train ride away , enjoy
Ooh thanks for the recommendations! It must be a great place if you've been there so many times - I hope I can make it there one day! Sounds fantastic! :-)
I really enjoyed this video, looking forward to more ideas and info like this! ăăăăšăăăăăŸăă
Thanks! It'll be fun to research each area, as if I'm planning a trip (I miss that!). :-)
I really love how you reference the map as you're discussing different districts! It is so incredibly helpful to help build an idea of the area. I don't know how to explain it, but the way you talk about places makes them seem super approachable; like, I can almost picture myself there. It makes trip planning seem way less overwhelming, so thank you!
Aww thank you, that means a lot! I put a lot of time into editing my videos. I always want to know where places are so I thought I'd save you the trouble of looking them all up on Google Maps! :-)
Matsumoto local here. Pretty sure the rafting on the Matsumoto website is referring to the boat at the wasabi farm.
If you would plan your next trip to this area and it would be mid-august, then please go to the Suwa fireworks on the 15th. But when you go there, go there from the very early morning and take spot somewhere or you'll be watching it from behind the trees.
Also, the first Saturday of August has the Matsumoto Bon Bon festival. A dance festival where people move through the city. The dance is easy to learn via CZcams or even while there. Try and ask if you can join people during the festival. You only take in 5% of the festival by looking on the sidelines.
Also, second Saturday of October in the Asama onsen area there is a festival called Taimatsu Festival. Same deal as Bon Bon, randomly ask to join in.
Both festivals start around 6pm and go on from there.
Also, if you like Ukiyoe, one of the biggest collections is in Matsumoto. However keep their displays in rotation so you only always see one small part of it all.
When cycling the Azumino area, be sure to visit the outdoor footbath near the mountains.
As for food. Cold soba is a must-eat but hot soba is a must-not-eat.
In the town there is a new ice cream shop on Naw are street with roots in the US, but they focus on local ingredients in amazing ways. Incl wasabi, apples, whiskey and beer.
If you enjoy beers, give the Matsumoto Brewery and Bacca a go.
Thanks for the recommendations - locals always know the best places to go! :-) I'd love to experience the festivals - not sure I could cope with the heat in August, but if any are on when I'm there I'll be sure to go along! And cold soba for sure - as a vegetarian the hot soba usually has dashi in the broth, so I stick to zaru soba!
@@cakeswithfaces Amy, all dipping sauces for zaru-soba are also contain dashi tho... Dipping sauces for Tenpura too.
@@mPDC-gh8jy I know!! đđ Dashi in everything!! đ I avoid the dipping sauce and use soy sauce or any other condiments they have on offer, and sesames (my favourite!).
@@cakeswithfaces
> I avoid the dipping sauce
Finally I understand the reason why you stick to zaru or mori soba...
> any other condiments they have on offer
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Next time show this line them and I guess it works well than "only soy sauce."
@@mPDC-gh8jy Thank you, that's very helpful! :-)
Watching your video with some J-pop playing serenely in the background and sipping a BOSS coffee is a great way to start my Thursday.
Sounds like a good time!! :-)
I used to live in Matsumoto. The castle is the real thing and the firearms collection they have is amazing. There was once such a thing as a combination netsuke/gun is what I found out there.
That must have been a lovely place to live! Hope I can still make it there one day!
In between Matsumoto and Suwa is Mt. Takabochi. From the top of the mountain, you have one of the most spectacular views of the sun rising over Lake Suwa and Mt. Fuji well framed by the other mountains. Had been planning to go there this year until I had to cancel my trip.
Ooh sounds good, thanks for the tip!
Next time I'm in Japan.
Eat "Koriyama Yasai" (Koriyama vegetables from Fukushima prefecture).
Recommended for vegetarians!
It's a delicious explosion of vegetable flavor.
Sounds good, I hope I can try it! Thanks for the recommendation!
Hi Amy, your advice about getting away from the major tourist cities is awesome, as are the JR East passes. Matsumoto is really wonderful. Canât wait to get back. :)
Me too! Hope it's safe to travel again soon, I can't wait to see all these places!
On my first trip to Japan, I visited Lake Suwa! (Primarily because as you mentioned it was the inspiration for the town in Your Name) - I had a very surreal conversation trying to explain this to a local who was wondering why a tourist had travelled so far off the beaten track! It was actually one of the highlights of my trip because of how rural and authentic the place felt; endless rice fields and locals going about their daily lives. Itâs a great hike to walk the trail that goes around the lake, and there are some very picturesque shrines along the way. The best memory I have though was enjoying an ice cream in Tateishi Park at sunset - which is an amphitheater in the mountains that overlooks the lake. It felt just like Iâd stepped into Your Name - truly magical! I hope you get to back to Japan soon. Iâm checking the guidance pretty much daily as I was supposed to be going for the Olympics!
Ah that sounds like a great day - happy memories! It's great to go somewhere different and have an experience that's really personal to you. Fingers crossed for your Olympics trip - I heard they're currently saying they're trying to make it go ahead whatever it takes but who knows!
I should have been in Japan this week but has now been delayed until this time next year. Love all your videos. Thanks for all your hard work making them.
Ah no I'm sorry to hear that. Can't wait to travel again!
Oh shame, we would've got to watch the perfect vlog from Nagano by now..hope you'd still keep this itinerary when you resume your next trip to Japan.. đđ
Can't wait to get back there and see all these places - I'll be sure to film everything for you guys! (Always fun to relive everything when I'm editing the videos!)
Just found your channel and I'm loving your videos! You are so right - many gems in Gunma that are never talked about (especially in English). I've been trying to get more outdoor and countryside-lovers out to Gunma-ken by sharing my videos exploring the area with my bicycle. It's an amazing place if you like cycling and hiking. Check out Kiryu-shi, a small city with tons of amazing local restaurants and nice nature. Take care and hope you can come back to Japan soon!
Thanks so much and welcome to my channel - enjoy the videos! I'd love to explore more of Gunma - so many places in Japan to visit!! :-)
I enjoy each and every new video you create!!!!:)
Aww thank you, I'm happy to hear that!
I normally go to Japan in January because itâs my long break. One day I hope to head over at the end of December so I can see Akita and the festivals that happen around that time
Ah there are so many beautiful snow and winter festivals! It's good to go in the winter (the off-season) so places are less crowded - that's what I found in February! :-)
I was planning to visit Japan with a friend this November to see the autumn colours - luckily we had not booked anything before the pandemic hit. I hope it will be safe to travel again soon but it looks like that's not going to be the case any time in the foreseeable future. đ
I was planning to visit Kisoji and maybe even hike along the Nakasendo trail between the old post towns of Magome and Tsumago. Kisoji has been in the back of my mind each time I've planned a trip to Japan but unfortunately has never made it into my final itinerary. Daio Wasabi Farm looks like a wonderful place to visit as well. I would also love to go back to the Hida region to see the old villages of Ainokura and Suganuma. Last time I only made it to Takayama and Ogimachi (Shirakawago). I love rural places in Japan - one of my most memorable places to visit was the old village of Kayabuki no Sato located in Miyama area near Kyoto. Took two trains and a 50 minute bus ride to get there but it was so worth it.
I also think it's such a shame that a lot of tourists miss out on so many incredibly wonderful places simply because they are slightly off the beaten track. Domestic travel is so big in Japan and pretty much everywhere you could want to visit is connected via public transport one way or another - you just have to do a bit of research & it's all on the internet for free. There are places like that just a few miles outside the city or a couple steps away from the "Top 10 places to see in (...)" but no one ever goes there.
While I love certain touristy spots in Japan such as Kyoto, I always feel sorry for the locals & domestic tourists who no longer even get to enjoy their own landmarks & suffer the consequences of the sudden unexpected increase of tourism over the past couple of years. It stops being fun when their quality of life is negatively affected by over-tourism. The photography ban in Kyoto due to overseas tourists harassing Geisha & private property owners says a lot. Also lots of vendors owning stalls in Nishiki Market have reported that they have lost a lot of business over the past couple of years as local customers no longer shop there bc of the massive crowds & tourists just having a look around but not buying anything.
I think it's really great you always include places off the beaten path into your guides and videos and I always include places like this into my itineraries - not just to leave the crowds behind but because they offer a truly unique experience, wonderful encounters with the actual locals and you truly get to see the "real" Japan & support the local economy.
Absolutely agree!! It's sad if over-tourism starts to spoil somewhere - for locals and tourists themselves. It seems like the answer is to promote other places to overseas tourists. I'm sure if people knew about all these other amazing places, they'd want to visit them too. And then if visitors were more evenly distributed, nowhere would be so overwhelmed or crowded.
I'm interested in the Nakasendo trail too, and I think a lot of other people would be too! I think there's a belief that Kyoto's the only place to see historic Japan, and a lot of people would love to visit Tsumago, etc, and a lot of other places just as much as Kyoto.
Hoping to do my tiny bit by increasing awareness of other areas - as you said, you can have a much more interesting, special experience visiting these less well-known places!
@@cakeswithfaces I totally agree with you on that. Have watched a video by Sharla in Japan that promoted visiting rural places & I actually found most people in the comment section wanting to visit Japan & not wanting to walk off the beaten path are most worried about language barrier as well as seeing their trip as a once in a lifetime experience so they don't want to miss out on the country's main attractions. đ€
I didn't find the language barrier to be an issue during any of my trips. I'm not sure why there's so much misinformation about this spreading online but I was able to communicate in English with people of varying age groups almost everywhere I went, not just around touristy spots. Even if no English was spoken people were still so kind & going out of their way to try to help. đ„°
I wish more people would see travel as a way to get to know a country, experience its culture & meet new people - not just to tick it off their list going "been there done that" & visiting wherever the mainstream tourist industry wants them.đ€š I find a lot of people are disappointed with their experiences visiting places that are so incredibly hyped up they can't possibly live up to their expecations & the crowds of fellow tourists ruining most of the atmosphere. For example, both Kayabuki no Sato and Shirakawa-go are old rural villages with lots of traditional thatched farm houses surrounded by nature. Except Kayabuki no Sato sees much fewer tourists so there are no crowds & it was a much more tranquil and atmospheric experience to visit - whereas Shirakawa-go seemed somehow staged & there were so many tourists even off-peak season. đ€Ż
One place I would love to visit that gets very little attention from tourists is Tohoku region. It seems like a wonderful place to visit, especially during the cherry blossom season. đžSo many beautiful & absolutely stunning spots (Hirosaki, Kakunodate, Ogawara, Kitakami etc...) to see the blossoms but hardly any tourists want to check them out. Nyuto Onsen in Akita prefecture seems like an amazing place to experience as well. âš
I went two years ago to Azumino and Matsumoto. In Azumino, they have wasabi ice cream and for lunch I had zaru soba with different type of pickeled wasabi. They also had many wasabi flavored snacks in the souvenir shop.
In your future video, it might be nice to present some local dish too. For Matsumoto, it's basashi (horse sashimi), soba, sanzokuyaki (fried chicken) and there is also different insect based snacks like inago and hibachi senbei that are quite unique to Nagano prefecture.
Sounds interesting!! Not sure about the insects (although they say everyone will be eating them in the future!?)... as a vegetarian I'll stick to the soba and wasabi treats - they sound great!
This is a great idea for your videos whilst you can't travel. I'm loving researching for my next Japan trip (hopefully next year), I miss it so much!
Making plans makes it feel more like you're going doesn't it! (Which you are, we just don't know when exactly)
@@cakeswithfaces Exactly! I am clinging onto the idea of a 2121 trip to Tokyo / Hokkaido and a 2024 trip to Okiawa / Tokyo!
@@veganinbrighton9300 Fingers crossed!!! đ€đ€đ€
Very interesting potential locations. Thanks Amy for sharing these with us ^_^ Perhaps when travelling is allowed again I will check one or more of these locations myself.
Enjoy planning your trips! I can't wait! :-)
I was all set to go to Japan at the end of March 2020 to revisit Tokyo, Kyoto and go to Kobe for the first time. However, after reading about so many places up north in the Tohoku region and Gifu prefectures I'll probably tweak my cancelled itinerary to visit those areas instead. Hopefully if the pandemic is under control and I've been vaccinated I will come back to Japan at the end of 2021.
Good plan! While Kyoto's amazing, there are so many other places around Japan that you don't hear as much about, which aren't as crowded with tourists, and I think you can have a more unique, calmer experience.
Very smart idea this new series is, Amy! It would be interesting to see your list of your CZcams Japan subscriptions. I have about 25 but feel like there are more good ones out there that I don't know about.
I just checked and I have like 80 different subscriptions. Lol
Thanks! There's a list of channels I watch in my book actually! My favs are Abroad in Japan, Only in Japan Go and Simon and Martina (although they just moved away from Japan).
Many thanks for this video Amy, I had to keep pausing it to add all these places and ideas to my Japan to-do list!... :-)
Hehe taking notes! :-) There's no end to my Japan to-d- list..! :-)
long time no see. I've been looking forward to it.
Glad you enjoy my videos (switched to one every two weeks now until I can get back to Japan).
Your videos are so informative and entertaining. Nice hair color.
Thanks, glad you enjoy them!! :-)
Thanks for the amazing upload! đ Always nice to see what else to see around Japan that's not been discovered and worth to explore!
There's so much, it really does seem to be never-ending! :-)
Iâm moving to Japan next year in fall! Hopefully everything with covid is settled down by then
Wow that's so exciting! It'll be great to experience Japan from the point of view of living there and really getting to know the culture. Have an amazing time!
Matsumoto looks very nice, the round trip through the mountains would be an amazing experience.
Have you been to Kanazawa Amy? It's a nice smaller city with some great places like the castle and geisha districts. I went there for 2 nights last year using the hokoriku arch pass.
I was supposed to be flying to Japan for a month tomorrow đ©đ© so I'm kinda down about that atm, watching your videos and the fact I just spent all the money I'd saved on a new gaming PC cheered me up a little. đ
I'll check out Phils new game.
I've not been to Kanazawa but it's definitely on my wishlist (and will probably feature in this video series at some point!). Hope you can reschedule your trip for some time in the future - and I hope Paradise Killer and the new PC help take the edge off!
You should try, Amanohashidate, Kinosecki, the Sand Museum at Tottori, Gujo Hachiman and that's just for starters.
Guji Hachiman's definitely on my list, it looks beautiful! And Amanohashidate's one of the top 3 views in Japan.
Me and my friends were only in Matsumoto for a full day during our Japan trip(spent two nights there). We went to the castle, which was the main thing on our trip there. But then we also went to Joyama park (about 30 min walk from Matsumoto Train Station) where they have an observation platform with a panoramic view of the area.
And it's also one of the settings in the manga and anime Orange (which I hadn't read/watched before the trip. Saw the posters for the anime after the trip and realized it took place in Matsumoto)
Thanks for the recommendations! Just looked up Joyama Park and definitely adding it to my list! :-)
The wasabis farm looks like a gem. I am curious about Nagoya, especially because of how few travel videos seem to be made there.
Yes! I've heard some people say Nagoya's sometimes thought of as a boring city. But I think more people will be going there in the future, as they're building a Studio Ghibli theme park there. I mainly want to go for the maglev museum!! :-)
They need to open their borders again! I've spent my birthday (November) in Japan the last two years and I want to again
Can't wait for them to open up! Might have to be a virtual Japan birthday this year, celebrating at home!
@@cakeswithfaces I read something online about them possibly opening net month if you can provide a negative Covid test and will isolate for two weeks. We'll have to see
Just wanted to say how great the Japan Travel guidebook is - itâs really useful and given me more ideas for my rearranged trip for next May. Also the little signed card you included was a really nice touch, it made the delivery even more special đ
Thanks so much, that means a lot! :-) Enjoy planning your trip - I can't wait to get back to Japan too!
Thanks for the places to visit and things to do.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! :-)
Your videos are so inspiring. We are currently planning our honeymoon to Tokyo for 2022 and your guide book is so useful for ideas. Your hair looks amazing x
Thanks so much, that's really great to hear! :-) Enjoy making grand plans!
Love the hair! My Japan trip for 2 weeks for the Christmas/New Year time is still booked (they wonât let me cancel yet cause it is still a bit away) but I am not holding my breath. Thanks so much for giving more info on more places so when I go I can explore even more. đ„°
Thanks! Fingers crossed for your trip! With mine I waited until the airline allowed free cancellations, to make sure I'd get my money back, so hang on in there!
Just like you my trip to Japan was canceled. I was going to go in early April. Now I am hoping to go April 2021 hopefully.
Please tell me why are you stick on visiting in April? I am interested in it as a Japanese.
mPD780C1 Because that is when I can take my Vacation. Lol.
Fingers crossed for you! I hope you can make it next year! :-)
Cakes with Faces I really hope so. The only thing I am kind of worried about is what do I do on a 14 hour flight.
@@dragonfir21 14 hours? That sounds long! From the UK it's 11.5 or 12 hours and it's not that bad. You watch a film, have the meal, watch another film, try and get some sleep and then you're there! :-)
Were planning a trip to do from Nagasaki to Hokkaido! Super excited
That sounds amazing, I'm sure you'll love it! I loved Kyushu - I didn't make it to Nagasaki but it's definitely on my list!
Great video Amy. Passed through Takayama in 2016, stayed at Hirayu camp ground, a little east of Takayama, for a couple of nights, fond memories.
Thanks, hope I can make it there one day! My friends visited the picturesque houses in Takayama and loved it!
Cool new hair color! :D
I traveled through Matsumoto on a roundtrip in 2017, pretty cool place. We tried locusts there, which apparently is a local speciality. Crunchy and tasted mainly like soy sauce :'D
The castle was really cool to visit as well!
I don't know if you have ever been to Takayama and Shirakawago, but if you haven't, I highly recommend it! Those places are so beautiful.
My friends went to Shirakawago and loved it - it looks so picturesque in their photos! Thanks for the recommendation!
Fingers crossed you can go to Matsumoto before too long. We're hoping to go to Shikoku and Kyushu on our next trip! :-)
Both excellent plans! I really enjoyed Kyushu, and Shikoku's on my wishlist! Not sure if I'll keep the same plan or go somewhere else, but I definitely want to make it to that wasabi farm one day!
I just wanted to say , what a great channel, I never knew anyone loved Japan as much as I do. I discovered your channel after our second visit ! But lots of fantastic info even though I have been
Our last stay was at the Park Hotel that you stayed at and is quite simply a wonderful hotel. I chose it cause it was near the Tamiya plastic model shop. Our reason for going was to visit the Tamiya head office in Shizuoka , there is a video of my visit on my channel which has some great train footage!
Keep up the great work and I am going to get your book!
Regards
Kevin
Thanks Kevin! The Park Hotel's such a great choice, I really enjoyed it too! Actually I went to the Tamiya model shop on my last trip when we were staying in Shimbashi - my friend's really into them so we were looking out for some items for him!
Cakes with Faces
The book arrived yesterday!
Wonderful , truly shows your love for Japan!
Well done on making such a piece of work , you should be proud of yourself
@@kevinlong6482 Thanks so much, so glad you like it! It was a huge project, taking over 2 years, but I really enjoyed working on it! :-)
The Park Hotel is great - we stayed there on our honeymoon and they brought us free champagne. It was lovely being so close to the Hayao Miyazaki clock too.
@@miru_japan Amazing how big the rooms are at the Park Hotel! Totally lucked out staying there on our first trip to Japan - it's never been affordable enough to stay there since! Great choice for a honeymoon! :-)
My bucketlist keeps growing đą! The Japanese Alps is definitely one! I want to see the snow walls and do the Kurobe Alpine Route! I've never heard of that Kyoto shrine! It looks amazing! Another place to add!
I am planning on taking an overnight bus from Tokyo to Kanazawa, then continue to Fukui (for the dinosaur museum), and then the Thunderbird Limited Express from Kanazawa to Kyoto. By taking the overnight bus, it saves a night's hotel costs and get to try a new form of transportation. BTW, love your book! Your writing style is so reader-friendly.
Thanks so much, really glad you like it! Sounds like a great plan. Have you seen Kyde and Eric's recent videos, they're from a trip to Fukui! :-)
Love the new hair colour. As I want to make the most out of travelling around Japan Iâm thinking of getting your book for inspiration!
Thanks! The book has ideas for things to do all around Japan, to help you decide where to go and plan everything out! :-)
On my wishlist are Kamakura and Enoshima in Kanagawa prefecture and Nikko in Tochigi prefecture, those places are about an hour from Tokyo and definitely worth of visty!
Definitely! The bamboo forest in Kamakura's my fav (better than the one in Kyoto!) :-)
Great new idea for travel planning, there is so much to see in Japan ... and so many off-the-beaten path places that can have great rewards for travelers! I spent a few days in Matsumoto last year and found it a great base to explore the alps. But don't overlook the city itself, I had some great interactions with residents of the city that left me wanting to return on my next trip! Takayama is very much worth a visit while you are in the area and there are some great walks along the Nakasendo as well (and some charming postal towns like Kiso-Fukushima and Narai)
Thanks for the recommendations! The Nakasendo trail's another of those routes that I'm amazed we don't hear more about - you certainly don't have to go to Kyoto to experience historic Japan!
Thanks for all the great content you provide as well, it really helped with my first trip to Japan last year! I'm looking forward to using the book to help plan my trip back next week (fingers crossed)!
@@jeffwallin70 Thanks so much, that's great to hear! Enjoy planning all the things you're going to do - always good to have a trip to look forward to! :-)
Amy, your hair is đ„
I can't wait to go back to Japan as well! Going to go in autumn next year so I could see the leaves change đ„°
Thanks! An autumn trip will be fantastic - you'll take so many beautiful photos! :-)
On our last trip to Japan we visited Niigata City, and really enjoyed it! There is an aquarium, an old town area, some sake and miso breweries, and this great place called Ponshukan in the station where you can choose from around 100 different Sakes to try (and some Umeshu). Would definitely recommend!
Sounds good! I think I've seen a video of that sake place - they're all from kind of vending machines on the wall? Looks like a good way to try different types!
@@cakeswithfaces yeah, that's the one, with tasting notes too, so you get a much better idea of the differences between Sakes too
Amy, first would like to say, I've been watching and subscribed to you for years and I don't think I ever responded. Love your videos and artwork so much! Back in 2014, my wife and I spent 4 nights in and around Lake Suwa. The first night, we spent the night at a relatively cheap onsen ($110 US, which also included 2 meals) (www.shibunoyu.com/en/) and another 3 nights at a friends parents house (who took us to Hayao Miyazakiâs summer home in Nagano, they also showed me a place which was an inspiration in Spirted Away). We wanted but never had the chance to walk around the lake, I think it's only 10km (6 miles). We also went to Matsumoto Castle and went on a sake tour (there were like 5 breweries that you could walk in one spot). Anyway, keep up the great Japan videos; they remind me so much of my time there.
Thanks so much! And thanks for the recommendations - that sounds like an amazing time. And a great price for an onsen. Hope I can get to this area at some point - it's all still on my to-visit list! :-)
love the new hair color!
Thank you! đ„
Hi Amy, Have you thought about the taking the Nakasendo trail from Tsumago to Magome? Its just past the Kiso valley when traveling from Matsumoto to Nagoya. I first took the trail from Magome to Tsumago. I wished I would have scheduled more time in Tsumago. My next opportunity I will Go to Nagano then to Matsumoto and onward to Tsumago.
Thanks for all your hard work! Hopefully Covid will settle down and we can all get back to living life again! Stay safe and Healthy!
I'd love to go on the Nakasendo trail - the old villages look so picturesque! That's another of those places I wish more people knew about - so many people wanting to see historic Japan go to Kyoto without realising there are other places like these. Fingers crossed for safe travels soon!
@@cakeswithfaces Hi Amy, I hope yo get the chance to go. The hike was truly invigorating. Couple notes. The town of Tsumago are lite up at night via lanterns so it transforms you back in time. If you choose to hike between Tsumago and Magome stop at the tourist info booth and they will deliver your backpack/luggage to the other town for 500 yen. I would've paid double..hehe. I traveled from Magome to Tsumago but I think I wold have enjoyed the trip backwards so I could have spent more time in Tsumago. ...Also if you get the chance watch Anna Film Production...She does an outstanding job. One close to Tsumago! Enjoy and thanks for your work!
@@garys5540 Thanks for the recommendations! Tsumago at night sounds beautiful - my fav time of day when I'm travelling is just as it's getting dark and the lights come on - so magical! Just subscribed to Anna Film Production - beautiful videos!
I think the reason we don't hear about a lot of these wonderful places is because they are not so easy for people to get to who don't speak Japanese. It seems like they are a lot of countryside and mountainous locations on this list. Needless to say, I'm thankful for the list of new places to visit!
That could be the perception - often I find places I'd like to visit but they involve long journeys with multiple changes. I try and limit time spent on the train unless it's for somewhere really special! However the train system is excellent and with Hyperdia, all the English signage and the JR Pass it's a lot easier to get around than you'd think. The places in this video don't involve too much travelling if you're staying in Matsumoto so feel free to add them to your list without concern! :-)
@@cakeswithfaces I was just trying to see it from an average tourist point of view that only knows Tokyo, and maybe Osaka. Some of my friends go on vacation and stay at their hotel unless they're going to a specific thing. Me? I like to plant as many locations of interest as I can before I go somewhere,then find my way to as many as I can! Often, the unplanned events in between end up being the best
@@FlowUrbanFlow Me too - holidays are anything but relaxing! :-)
I wanted to go to that area for my first visit, but changed it to the mainstream Tokyo and Kyoto. I want to visit Gifu... just south of where you want to go. I would also like to do a Yuru Camp tour. Camping in new areas a night.
Like the anime? That was so relaxing to watch. My friends went to Gifu and loved it - they said the train ride to that area is beautiful.
Planning a trip for next year really hoping it'll happen. Going all over the place in about a month's time. Some of the places I'm planning on going are 4 days and 3 nights in Kanazawa (gonna do so many workshops) with a day trip to Takayama for the Takayama festival. Shibu onsen for their 9 onsen (though booking a place that gives you a master key is a bit difficult since only a small number of ryokan are affiliated and considered a part of that area while others are considered part of Yudanaka) umm don't trip hear too many people talk about Ishigaki either I'm going there towards the end of the trip
That sounds amazing, you'll have to let me know how it goes! I'd love to go to Kanazawa, and Ishigaki looks just like paradise!
Some interesting tips. Definitely need to put lake Suwa on my list. I was lucky enough that I didn't need to cancel my February trip, but unfortunately the September one was a no go now. Wanted to go to the tokyo game show, the MagLev museum, Nagoya and Shikoku.
Guess another time. :D
And congrats on the game launch.
Ooh Shikoku and also the Maglev museum are on my wishlist too! Glad you managed to go in February, just before all this started, that was lucky!
@@cakeswithfaces Yes, 1 or 2 weeks after I left Hokkdaio to visit other parts of the country, they had a lockdown there.
I want to do the Nakasendai trail in Nagano
Oh that looks beautiful! All those traditional villages and forest trails. đ
@@cakeswithfaces yeah it looks great, and it wonât be crowded!
Great video, good to hear about some less mainstream locations.
Would you consider doing a Q&A video?
Thanks! And yes, a Q&A's definitely on my list of ideas!
When we can travel again, are you still going to proceed with your original plan or are you going to plan a bigger and longer trip?
Hopefully after the wait I'll be able to take a slightly longer trip and might make grander plans, although I still want to visit these places. Haven't settled on a plan yet!
Can you do a video of what you take with you on your trip?
Like camera gear
At time 9:15
What was that Temple name?
Thanks for the suggestion! :-) The shrine is Toshogu Shrine in Nikko - doesn't it look fancy?! :-)
Cakes with Faces it looks beautiful
I wouldâve never thought to go out that far.
My first trip will be simple thanks to your book.
Next time iâll be more adventurous.
@@litawolf1684 Good idea! If you're planning to go more than once, there's plenty to do in Tokyo to keep you busy!! :-) You can go to Nikko as a day trip from Tokyo, although there's enough to do for an overnight sidetrip.
I loved Amanohashidate, HuisTenBosch, and mt nokogiri to name a few off the beaten path places. How often do you go to japan?
Ooh I'd love to go to Amanohashidate! I go about once a year as my holiday for the year - it's never enough! :-) It's been too long since my trip in May got cancelled!
@@cakeswithfaces Wow, I thought you go more from your knowledge of Japan. I try to go every three months and its still not enough, the more I go the longer my list of things to see grows, its crazy. Like an obsession. Oh another top 3 things to do is bike the shimanami kaido, I did that last year, amazing, but dont do it in one day like I did. thx from Hawaii.
@@HawaiiJapan808 I can well believe even that's not enough! I'd love to go more often. The shimanami kaido looks amazing - heard it's not easy though!! :-)
Hey Amy I like your new hair color.
Thank you!!
No problem
wow beautiful hair color
Haha thank you!
It seems you go to Japan a lot. Any reason why not to just live there for a while? If there is a video explaining, please do tell :)
I don't really want to live in Japan - just go there on lots of trips! I'm sure you experience it in a different way as a resident, but some things must lose their magic. Also my life and my business Cakes with Faces are in the UK.
I donât have the money and to go to Japan once everything is settled down
Sadly no one can go to Japan right now with the entry ban! One day...!
Anita, you may not be aware.....JR Passes and I quote [Not OK] Use for 5 days during a 14-day period.
You must use consecutive days, which when I visit in November (like yourself) travel slowly and can't use em. Please people know in you next vlog. : )
Otherwise, love your style....not talk too much at camera, always show prices and have a positve karma!!!
Glad you're enjoying the videos! The JR Pass for the whole of Japan and most of the regional JR Passes have to be used on consecutive days. However, one or two of the regional passes don't have to be used on consecutive days - always best to check the terms carefully as most of them are consecutive.
PS It's Amy :-)
@@cakeswithfaces As of 2024 the JR east pass for nagano and Niigata it say 5 consecutive days now
As of 2024 the JR east pass for nagano and Niigata it say 5 consecutive days now
@@effie-montreal Yes, I think they changed it since I filmed this!