It's a beautiful day here in Gifu City. We are on our last leg of our Gifu-Nagano Road trip. As usual, I decided to wake up very early to take a dip at our hotel's onsen. By this time, I could proudly say that I have unlocked several achievements... First of all is the "Nude Man Walking" which means I have lost the sense of shame, walking naked around other men and the "Grandslam Boiled Eggs " which means I have boiled my you-know-what in an onsen for three straight days already.
I almost went inside because this was the men's onsen area last night... thank goodness I saw the "Ladies" in the middle curtain
Breakfast time!
He might be old but his talent in making pancakes is matched only by a few
My daughter enjoying her meal
Achievements aside, after my dip I went to meet my family at the dining area for breakfast. The buffet breakfast was amazing. There were so many dishes to choose from. I particularly enjoyed watching the "pancake master" create artistic pancakes that resemble animals, things, and even cartoon characters.
We strolled to Gifu Park where the Kinkazan Ropeway is located
Going up Mt. Kinka via ropeway to visit Gifu Castle
The mountain-top station reached! Time to walk to the peak!
After the hearty breakfast, Mr. Toshi decided to bring us to Gifu Castle before we check of Juhachiro (ryokan). Ms. Taeko, on the other hand, decided to stay behind to pack up their stuff. We traveled to the castle grounds on foot since it was just a few minutes' walk away. However, to reach the castle, we needed to ride the Kinkazan Ropeway also known as Mt. Kinka Ropeway as the castle was built on top of Mt. Kinka.
Despite having a ropeway that brought us to the top of the mountain, we still had to trek several meters going to the Gifu Castle. The castle contained artifacts from Japan's feudal period. What's amazing about the castle was the breath-taking view from the keep's top floor. From the viewing areas on the top floor of the castle, one could see the panoramic view of the city and the surrounding hills and mountains.
Time to go back down
Here comes our ropeway!
We didn't stay long though as Ms. Taeko was waiting for us at the ryokan. When we got down from Mt. Kinka via the ropeway, Mr. Toshi asked us if it's ok for us to just wait for him at Gifu Park while he goes back to Juhachiro to fetch Ms. Taeko and also check out. We agreed as Ella was tired from the trek that we had done earlier.
Check out that lady sitting beside the pond at Gifu Park
Ella learned how to use the bow
Thanks for the yummy jelly giveaway!
While waiting for Mr. Toshi, we saw a couple of guys dressed up in feudal era armor who were encouraging passersby to try out the traditional archery for free of course Ella enthusiastically tried it out. To her amazement, she was rewarded with Japanese gelatin for her efforts. I tried too of course and I also got some prize.
When Mr. Toshi arrived, he asked me if there were other places in Gifu City that I also want to visit. I checked out the Gifu City tourism brochure which I got from the ryokan and asked if it's possible to visit Gifu Kinpouzan Shoubouji (Temple) or simply Shoboji to see one of the largest images of Buddha in Japan. Mr. Toshi agreed and it only took a few minutes' drive to reach it. It was only me and Mr. Toshi who went into the temple. I did not miss the chance to get a goshuin for my collection.
Mr. Toshi offering a prayer to one of Japan's largest Buddha
Inside the temple was a large image of Buddha. However, it was not as big as the Buddha statue we saw in Todaiji years back. Regardless, it was still a sight to behold. While admiring the 13.7-meter tall Buddha, Mr. Toshi told me that this temple belongs to the Obaku school of Buddhism which was his religious affiliation.
Checking out Salamanca Hall
Inside Salamanca Hall
Before we left Gifu City, we stopped by Salamanca Hall to say goodbye to Ms. Kayako (Mr. Toshi's sister) who will be performing with her choir group in the said concert hall. Although Ms. Kayako gave us a free pass to watch her concert, we didn't stay long as we still have around 210 kilometers of road to drive to get home to Osaka.
On our drive back, we had a bit of a side trip to Sunomata Ichiya Castle in Ogaki City which is still in Gifu Prefecture. The castle sits beside Sai River and houses feudal era artifacts like samurai weapons and armor. The top floor presents a great view of the river and the lands surrounding it.
Driving home
Stopover at Expasa in Mie Prefecture
Time to choose what to eat for our late lunch
Check out the children's toilet
From the castle, Mr. Toshi drove for about 40 kilometers to Expasa which was a roadside stopover in Mie Prefecture to grab some snacks. From there, I drove the remaining 170 kilometers home marking an end to our Gifu-Nagano road trip and also unlocking my "Doraiba" achievement for driving more than 100 kilometers in Japan.
Here's a perfect sunset view from our room.
Overall, it was a very memorable 4-day adventure which wouldn't be possible if not for our awesome Japanese family. Without them, many of those wonderful destinations that we visited would still remain in our drawing boards and dreams.
That night, I slept peacefully, excited for what the remaining 4 days in Japan has to offer.
The first time I encountered and tasted this food was in Lucena City during the Niyogyugan Festival of 2016. Puto Bao or Puto sa Bao was the featured product of the towns of Unisan and Agdangan during the said celebration. At first glance, one would think that these purple delicacies are made from ube or yam, but it is actually made from the same ingredients that are used to make suman and puto bibingka which is glutinous rice or malagkit rice.
The real surprise, however, lies not on its purple-colored exterior but what's actually inside it. The Puto Bao has a filling of shredded coconut that gives it its sweet taste. Puto Bao is best eaten right after it is taken out of the steamer. (Don't worry it would still taste good after several hours out of the steamer). Puto Bao Ingredients:malagkit (glutinous) rice mixed with ordinary riceshredded coconut (mature)purple food coloringbanana leavesbrown sugarsaltwatercooking oilHow to make Puto Bao:Soak the rice mixture with the purple fo…
Located at 526-2 Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama Ward in Kyoto City, the Ryozen Kannon (霊山観音)is a war memorial that commemorates the war dead in the Pacific War Theater during the Second World War. Ryozen Kannon History
The Ryozen Kannon is famous for its impressive 24-meter (80 ft) tall statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Kannon). The massive concrete and steel 500-ton statue was built by Hirosuke Ishikawa and unveiled on June 8, 1955.
Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, also known as the Goddess of Mercy, was built to honor the war dead of World War II, both Japanese and Allied soldiers. The giant statue is the centerpiece and probably the highlight of the war memorial. However, on the other hand, it is not the only thing to see on the memorial grounds. Inside Ryozen Kannon grounds:
Our adventure today takes us about 55 kilometers south of kilometer 0 in Manila.Tagaytay City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the province of Cavite.
Known as "The Country's Second Summer Capital", Tagaytay City's proximity to Manila makes it a frequent destination for those who are on a budget adventure or those who are just escaping the city life. Tagaytay City's unique blend of beautiful scenery and semi-temperate climate makes tourists and adventurers come back for more.
Since my wife and I live near Tagaytay City, we have the convenience of going there anytime we want to. I, for one, have been to Tagaytay plenty of times and experienced a lot of memorable things there. The most unforgettable one that I have was when I experienced zero visibility when I drove through a very thick mist that blanketed the city during one of my road trips. Because my car then was a lowered version of a Mazda Astina, the right side fell on a meter deep gutter whi…
Located in Barangay Sumlang, Camalig in the province of Albay, Sumlang Lake is one of the newest tourist destinations of the town and is also known as one of the best places to view the majestic Mayon Volcano. History of Sumlang Lake Sumlang Lakepresently receives more than a hundred visitors per day. However, it was not like this a few years ago. The 9-hectare lake was once a water-lily covered lake with high coliform levels. As the locals would say, it once actually serves little purpose to the majority of the townspeople. Thankfully, through the bayanihan spirit of the locals, Sumlang Lake was given new life and now serves the barangay with a better (or let's say profitable) purpose.
Today, Sumlang Lake offers visitors several must-try activities like aqua biking, balsa tour, and kayaking at a very affordable price. Visitors could also go food tripping they may opt to try out the mouthwatering dishes in Socorro's or the snacks at the snack truck at the lakeside. For those on …
Located in the northeastern part of Brgy. San Vicente in Santa Ana in the province of Cagayan, Anguib Beach has a long stretch of fine white to creamy sand kissed by pristine blue waters.
Anguib Beach is one of the hidden gems of North Luzon. It is probably the northeasternmost beach on the island of Luzon. In fact, my group had to brave ferocious waves in order for us to reach the beach. However, there is a much safer route for those who easily get seasick. You can rent a tricycle or drive directly from Sta. Ana to Anguib Beach. The main difference is the travel time. If you take the boat you'll probably have an hour of travel time compared to the more than an hour's worth of travel time by land. Upon reaching the beach you can choose between the P100 or P30 beach area. The P100 part of the beach has a panoramic view and is basically a beach lover's paradise. The P30 part, however, has a shallow, rocky and sometimes foamy beach. The good part about the P30 area is that it i…
Located at 526 Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama District, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture, Kodaiji (高台寺) is the largest sub-temple of the Kennin-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. Kodaiji HistoryFormally called Jubuzan Kodaiji, the temple was established in 1606 by Nene (also called Kodai-in) in memory of her late husband Toyotomi Hideyoshi who was one of Japan's greatest historical figures. After Nene's death, she was also enshrined in the temple vicinity.
Kodaiji's main hall was originally covered in lacquer and gold. It also features richly decorated interiors surrounded by picturesque Zen gardens. These gardens are presently designated as Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty. The temple also possesses several objects and structures designated as Important Cultural Assets like the portrait of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Main Gate, and the Spirit Hall.
I got to visit Kodaiji when I was hunting for the 9 Healing Buddha Statuesof Higashiyama during the 4th day of our …
What I love about food businesses in Japan is that they are always trying to one-up each other. This leads to products that are either very eye-catching, artistic, and sometimes downright unique. The same goes for quality, servings, and taste. When all these seems tied or it's hard to really distinguish which is the best, they resort to annual national competitions. To which the winner gets recognition for his work and better sales for the year (and sometimes beyond). This applies to many of the Japanese traditional cuisines like ramen, okonomiyaki, and mochi among others. Speaking of mochi, this Japanese food is an important part of Japan's culture and tradition. Since there are machine-made mochis now, those who make mochi in the mochitsuki style (mochi traditionally made in a ceremony) are still held by many in high regard and their mochi is considered higher in value and quality.
If you wish to see a mochitsuki during your visit to Japan then head to Nara City and check ou…
Located at the Rakuto Area of Kyoto City, the Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka Preserved Districts are two interconnected historic districts that are famous for the well-preserved machiya or traditional buildings that line up its stone-paved streets. These scenic streets also serve as the main thoroughfare to some of Kyoto's most visited temples and landmarks. Aside from that, most of the traditional Japanese buildings in these districts are actually souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, and inns which attracts throngs of tourists. Ninenzaka District
If you're coming in from the northern part of the Rakuto Area, you'll first reach Ninenzaka. This district is officially called Ninenzaka Slope and is actually older of the two districts as it was constructed in 807. Ninenzaka is known for its shops, restaurants, and cafes. Speaking of cafes, the famed Kyoto's Edo-style Starbucks branch is located here. Getting to Ninenzaka District: From Kyoto Station, ride bus #100, 110, or #206 and bo…
Our adventure today will take us 46.11 kilometers south from kilometer 0 in Manila. The historic atmosphere still lingers due to the historical landmarks that you can see all around this place. One of the most famous landmarks this city has to offer is the Rizal Shine or more popularly known as Rizal's house. However I'm not here to give you a history adventure but instead, I will tell you the different side of this city.
Calamba City in the province of Laguna is a city that has more resorts than the number of days in a year. Because of the fast-growing number of resorts (661 and counting), this city earned the nickname Resort Capital of the Philippines.
Travelers and resort seekers who didn't read my blog The Adventurer's List would surely be unprepared for what's to come. It would surely take a day for you to choose and pick the most suitable resort for you, not to mention avoiding peddlers who would tell you about a "nice" resort only to be disappointe…
Suman, for most Filipinos, is a common food served for meriendas or snacks. It is usually made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, then wrapped in Buri palm leaves before being steamed then consumed afterward. However, some prefer to dip the suman to sugar before eating it to give it a sweet taste. Common Suman Ingredients: Glutinous RiceCoconut MilkSugarBrown sugarBanana leaves
Since it is a common food throughout the Philippines, it got for itself different variants and in some places different ingredients and even names. From my travels in the province of Quezon, I managed to try for myself three variants of suman. These are variants are the Infanta Suman,Tayabas Suman, and the Tamales ng San Antonio. Infanta Suman Like most suman, Infanta Suman is also made from glutinous rice and is wrapped in the usual Buri palm leaves. However, what makes it a unique variety is its size and packaging. Infanta Suman usually measures about 2-3 inches and is usually packed in a group of twenty …
this looks incredible and that food looks so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ashli. =) The food was not only good it was amazing.
DeleteSeems like you and your family are having the best time! Thanks for sharing! I'd love to visit this part of Japan soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog Lorita. My family and I really did enjoy our time in Japan. =)
Deletethis makes me want to visit japan ASAP!
ReplyDeleteYou should visit Japan Kat. You'd surely love it. =)
Deletewow that hike to the castle seemed like a tough one!
ReplyDeleteIt is. Thank God there is a ropeway.
Deletewish you a hearty congratulations
ReplyDeleteThank you Ukiyoto. =)
DeleteOh wow what a lovely and beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI agree Mehr. =) Gotta love Gifu.
DeleteLol those bathroom symbols.. Enjoyed reading it. The culture is entirely different from so it looks fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThat's the reason why I love traveling. I learn a lot about other people's culture. =)
DeleteThis looks a wonderful place to visit. Your pics are amazing.
ReplyDeleteGifu City is really a wonderful place to visit. You should include this to your travel plans. =)
DeleteI want to eat those pancakes !
ReplyDeleteIt's actually depressing to eat the pancake as it looks more of art than food.
DeleteLooks like you had such a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteMy family and I really had a great time in Gifu.
DeleteThis is so cool :) You made me wanted to visit Japan so soon :) Happy blogging. Wanna read more..
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. Please do include Gifu City to your itinerary when you visit Japan.
DeleteLoving the view of castle viewing deck and and the pond of Gifu Park looks perfect for nature I like this kind of travel adventure awesome photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Please do visit Gifu when you go to Japan.
DeleteI feel like i was there w/o you.☺
ReplyDeleteWow that's great. =)
DeleteThat breakfast spread made me hungry..:P
ReplyDeleteI suddenly missed the dishes. Hahaha
DeleteYou always bring as virtually to many parts of Japan! You are doing an awesome job. Seriously, you can be a local guide.
ReplyDeleteThank you Blair. =) Your comment made my day. =)
DeleteThis was a detailed information. Sure it's a fun to hang around here.
ReplyDeleteThat's great to hear. Thank you Anagha.
DeleteFun travels.. maybe someday I will have time to travel!
ReplyDeleteHope that comes soon. =P
DeleteHow exciting and to be able to share with your daughter!
ReplyDeleteThat's true. This adventure is very memorable because my daughter was with me.
DeleteWhat an amazing travel. I'm amazed with the pancake master too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Elizabeth. That guy really does amaze me.
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