Weekend 62: January 7 – 8, 2023
Day 432: January 7, 2023
Saturday – Wakayama with Akiko’s family
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| My wife adding the finishing touches to her most requested dessert |
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| KC's buko pandan |
It`s another weekend. Ms. Akiko and her family, together with Ms. Kuni and her English husband Andy came to pick us up for our lunch reservation at Kominka Cafe Restaurant Hatsuhana in Iwade City (岩出市) in Wakayama Prefecture. Before going there, my wife finished her most requested buko pandan dessert so that we have dessert later in the evening. We left Kumatori at around 8 AM.
It is my second time visiting Kominka Cafe Restaurant Hatsuhana as Mr. Toshi and his family brought me here during my visit last year (LINK). As expected, the food was delicious and the ambiance was nice.
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| There were plenty of Daruma dolls displayed outside the temple |
From there, we crossed the street to visit the historic Negoroji. It is one of the national treasures of Japan and has a long and colorful history. During our visit, I didn`t miss out on getting the goshuin from the temple.
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| Shin-Urazaka Slope |
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| Group photo with our Japanese friends |
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| I finally was able to revisit Wakayama Castle after almost a decade. This time, I have my daughter along with me |
After exploring Negoroji, we continued to Wakayama City (和歌山市) to visit Wakayama Castle. This castle is the very first castle that I visited here in Japan way back in 2014. Unlike last time, I wasn't alone exploring the castle. As I was with my daughter and our Japanese friends. My wife, on the other hand, stayed in the car as she was pregnant and wouldn't be able to handle the climbing up the steep Shin-Urazaka Slope. We left Wakayama City at around 4 PM. We then drove back home.
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| We had a great time chatting with Kumi and Andy |
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| We served the buko pandan for dessert |
After dinner, Ms. Akiko and her family together with Ms. Kumi went back home. Andy, on the other hand, stayed behind as we were having an amazing time chatting. Before calling it a night, I invited Andy for a morning hike to the nearby Ameyama which he gleefully accepted.
Day 433: January 8, 2023
Sunday – Hiking Ameyama
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| It's a foggy morning |
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| Thank you Mr. Toshi for the delicious sukiyaki breakfast |
Good morning! It`s a foggy morning. However, according to the weather forecast, it would be clear and sunny by 8 AM. For breakfast, Mr. Toshi cooked sukiyaki for us.
As planned, Andy and I headed out to hike Ameyama at around 9 AM.
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| Summit reached! |
Ameyama is a 314-meter mountain in the town of Kumatori (熊取町) in Osaka Prefecture. It was a very straightforward hike for us. It took us about an hour to reach the peak. Ameyama has an amazing view. You can see Kansai International Airport from the north and on a clear day you might also be able to spot Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture. From the south, you can see the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture.
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| We passed by this beautiful street on our way back to Tsubasagaoka |
We stayed at the peak for almost half an hour. From there, we walked back to the Kameyama Residence. When we came back, everyone was out as they went for a haircut. They arrived a few minutes later.
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| Off to Kaizuka City for dinner. |
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| Mori no Komichi |
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| There was a preserved train which is repurposed as a dining room in Mori no Komichi |
That evening, we headed to Mori no Komichi in Kaizuka City (貝塚市) for dinner. The Italian restaurant is surrounded by nature, giving it an amazing ambiance. The food was a bit pricey but delicious. Although we ordered the set meal, I mostly enjoyed the pizza.
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| Itadakemasu! |
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| A group picture to end this fun night |
From there, we drove back to the Kameyama residence before driving Andy to Hineno Station. It was fun bonding with him and in a way, because we were discussing a lot about his passion for marathons, I was inspired to be fit and do what I love like hiking and biking.
Overall, this is another memorable week for us. We met new friends and also went to new places. However, this is also our last week with the Kameyama family as we will be leaving for Kyoto tomorrow for the next phase of our Winter Vacation.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 62
Japan Diaries 4: Day 432
Japan Diaries 4: Day 433
Negoroji
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