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.
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 out 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 away by foot. 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 breathtaking 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.
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 prizes.
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 away by car 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 Shoboji 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 the 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.
Start of our long drive from Gifu to Osaka
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 ドライバ (Doraiba) achievementfor 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.
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street. Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declinin...
Located in the vicinity of Mt. Nagpatong in Maragondon in the province of Cavite, Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park mark the supposed place where Andres Bonifacio and his brothers Procopio were executed in 1897. Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park History We learned from the previous post about Bonifacio Trial House the story of the trail leading up to the last days of Andres Bonifacio . Since I did not fully elaborate on his death, I think it is very relevant to talk about it now in relation to our featured destination - The Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park . Check out the images on the BAYANI Check out the images on the KKK A perfect angle to see the KKK and Bayani I'm wondering if that face is scared, shocked, or excited... The statue of Andres Bonifacio wearing a very fashionable camisa de chino Our local guide showed us the way to the peak of Mt. Nagpatong After his...
Located in Rosario in the province of Cavite, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros is famously known as the location of the historic Tejeros Convention of 1897. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros Casa Hacienda de Tejeros history Casa Hacienda de Tejeros was originally built in the 17th century. The hacienda and its surrounding lands were formerly owned by the Augustinian Recollects. The estate was once the largest and grandest estate in the country. It once covered as much as 1,125 hectares with the casa occupying 4 hectares of it. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Rosario, Cavite The NHI Marker of the Casa Hacienda de Tejeros The name tejeros came from the Spanish name tejer , which means "to weave". It's due to the fact that the weaving industry is one of the major industries of the municipality of Rosario. Going back to its historical importance, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros played an important role in 1897 when it hosted the assembly that the new leaders of the revolution were elected. ...
10 Things to Do in Otaru City Otaru City ( 小樽市 ) is a port city in the Shiribeshi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . The name is believed to be of Ainu origin. It possibly means " river running through the sandy beach ”. For those planning to visit Otaru City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Otaru City : Otaru City manhole covers 1. Take a picture of Otaru’s unique manhole covers . So far, I have seen 2 unique manhole covers. The first one is the one with the otter and the other is the one that features the Otaru Canal. However, there is a colored version of the latter located near the LeTao Main Store. Aside from that, there is an Otaru Pokemon Manhole Cover featuring the Alolan Vulpix with what appears to be stained glass windows as his backdrop. Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch 2. Visit the Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch and learn about the golden age of banking in Otaru City. You can watch the map projection on the ceiling of i...
Located at Francisco Mercado Street corner Jose P. Rizal Street, Barangay 5 Poblacion, Calamba City in the province of Laguna, Jose Rizal Shrine ( Dambana ni Rizal ) is the birthplace of Dr. Jose P. Rizal -the National Hero of the Philippines. Jose Rizal Shrine (Calamba) Jose Rizal Shrine History Jose Rizal Shrine is probably well known as the ancestral house of Rizal's family. The house serves as a museum that contains furniture and items that belong to the Rizal family. Jose Rizal Shrine - Calamba City, Laguna Young Jose Rizal with his dog I wonder what Young Rizal had in mind Rizal Shrine NHI Marker For those who don't know, the house that stood in the lot is actually only a replica of the old ancestral house which was destroyed during the Second World War. The replica was constructed right after the war. The construction was supervised by the late National Artist Juan Nakpil. It was inaugurated in 1950. The entrance to Jose Rizal Shrine...
10 More Things to Do in Asahikawa City There are a lot of things to do in Asahikawa City ( 旭川市 ) in Hokkaido, Japan . That’s why I’m back with 10 More Things to do in Asahikawa City . However, keep in mind that some of the places here are located on the outskirts of the city. They are best visited by private vehicles or rental cars so that you can explore them or do the activities without worry. If you have accomplished the first ten then you should do these after: Hachiya Ramen @ Furarito 1. Go to Furarito Restaurant Street ( ふらりーと ) and try one of the many restaurants or izakaya there. I highly recommend Hachiya Ramen if you are looking for authentic Asahikawa Ramen . Hokuchin Memorial Museum 2. Visit the Hokuchin Memorial Museum ( 北鎮記念館 ) and learn about the 7th Division of the Imperial Army dubbed Japan's defenders of the north. Asahikawa Gokoku Shrine 3. Pay your respects and offer prayers at Asahikawa's other prominent temples, such as the Asahikawa ...
Day 387: November 23, 2022 Wednesday – Labor Thanksgiving Day It’s a very cold but surprisingly sunny day here in Rumoi City ( 留萌市 ). It also happens to be Labor Thanksgiving Day which is a public holiday here in Japan . This only means one thing… It’s another opportunity for #TeamNicerio to travel. For today’s road trip, we decided to drive around Rumoi City. JR Rumoi Station We took a lot of pictures with the Kazumo-chan standee JR Rumoi Station 's anniversary According to some locals, this might be the last anniversary of JR Rumoi Station as it will close down next year Inside JR Rumoi Station The Soba Shop inside Rumoi Station Old photos were on display inside the station C11 207 Suzuran I'm happy to see that there are still some people who use the Rumoi Line Our first stop for the day was JR Rumoi Station . I read from the Rumoi City website that there is an anniversary event being held at the station. Since this seems to be the last anniversary before the train line ...
Living in Hokkaido has its perks and challenges. However, for this article, when I say "challenge", I say it with enthusiasm. Why? Because we are taking on another "challenge". First Filipino Family to Visit All 179 Municipalities of Hokkaido: A Memorable Adventure In my last article, I shared our exciting adventure with the #Hokkaido35Cities Challenge , where my family and I explored all 35 cities of Hokkaido . But why stop there? Inspired by the beauty and diversity of this region, we decided to take things to the next level with the #Hokkaido179 Challenge . This ambitious goal involves visiting all 179 municipalities of Hokkaido, spanning cities, towns, and villages. The challenge follows the same rules as the previous one but with an expanded scope. Here’s what each visit entails: The Rules of the #Hokkaido179 Challenge: Physical Visit : Spend at least an hour exploring the municipality. Photographic Documentation : Take a photo of the following: The manhol...
Week 56: November 21 – 25, 2022 Day 385: November 21, 2022 Monday – Rumoi It’s a rainy morning. I was shocked by the news that Jason David Frank died today. He is well-known for his role as Tommy Oliver or simply Green Ranger in the hit show Power Rangers. He would forever be remembered by the 90s kids like me. RIP Green Ranger . Rumoi High School 11.21.22 As for my work, today, I’m heading back to Rumoi High School . It’s exam week today so I won’t have any collaboration work. So, I spent my day studying Japanese using the VLJ Course . I’m happy to share that I finally finished Unit 4 of the five units in the course. Manga and bagoong ! The perfect combination I didn’t waste time starting with the 5th. When I got home after work, my wife served green mango and bagoong . This reminded me of the food that we usually have in the Philippines. Day 386: November 22, 2022 Tuesday – Rumoi Rumoi High School 11.22.2022 It’s the second day of exams. I’m back reporting at Rumo...
Iwao Onsen Attamaru or Iwao Hot Springs Attamaru ( 岩尾温泉あったま~る ) is a day trip onsen facility on the outskirts of Mashike. It is located along Route 231 at 109-1 Iwaoi in the town of Mashike in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Iwao Onsen Attamaru Iwao Onsen Attamaru details Iwao Onsen Atamaru is a cozy hot spring nestled on a small hill by the coast, quietly welcoming visitors at the southern entrance of Mashike Town. Known for its simple acidic water, this hot spring is cherished for its healing properties, particularly for skin ailments and rheumatism. Iwao Onsen Attamaru - Mashike town, Hokkaido Prefecture Found at the southern tip of Shokabetsu Teuri Yajiri Quasi-National Park , the Ofuyu Iwaro Area boasts stunning natural beauty. Ofuyu Beach, stretching for 25 kilometers, showcases towering cliffs and diverse landscapes, offering breathtaking views, especially during sunset. Relax and enjoy the serene atmosphere while soaking in the warm waters. Iwao Onsen Attamaru facade 岩尾温...
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.
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
DeleteThank you so much. Please do include Gifu City to your itinerary when you visit Japan.
ReplyDeleteHow 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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