Alpine tour Nagoya Day 4 Matsumoto

We checked out of hotel and took a hotel morning shuttle to the train station and left our luggages at the coin lockers. There are sizes ranging from 100¥ to 800¥.

We like Matsumoto town very much. It has a small town european feel with nice designs. Maybe because they have lovely gardens in the streets.

We walked 30 mins from the station to Matsumoto castle which has a pretty Japanese style garden with wisteria. (We later went to Nagoya castle and between the two, I like Matsumoto better. Kumamato castle is my other favourite).

Matsumoto castle also known as crow castle is one of 5 castles considered as national treasures of Japan.

It has square foundation and is a flatland castle with a moat for defense. A pleasant 18 min stroll from the train station. Combine the walk to Nawate street shops and to the shopping belt.

Do try the fish pancake, it is the best we have tried. Look at the long queue.

The batter is crispy and tasty.

They had a savoury sausage version which I like very much.

Another soba place which we didnt try because of the long queues. Matsumoto is famous for its buckwheat noodles or soba. Its golden week of holidays in Japan.

Matsumoto’s famous child is Kusama who was having an exhibition while we were there. Her pumpkin was on display at ground floor of Media Garden near the Timepiece museum.

Cafe noyie (Cafe Neue)

Fluffiest waffle ever.

Himself bought a nice green glass sake cup.

Very good soba and tempura at Kippo

Kippo (そば処) 吉邦
7-40 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture 390-0873
0263-36-270
https://g.co/kgs/Aj7Pwu
Soba-dokoro Kippo

Caught a train to Nagoya and arrived at 4pm. Checked into Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nagoya Taiko Dori side, about 5 min walk from the train station. I will gladly stay in this hotel again.

We managed to drop our bags and return to the bus terminal to catch the Meitetsu line to the Winter illuminations at Nabana No Sato.

http://www.daiwaroynethotelnagoyataikodoriside.com/

Kaiseki Dinner at Fukashiso

Absolutely love the bowls and plating done at Fukushiso. Glad I stayed here, if not for over-paying on accommodation. Will not get this level if service in big establishments in the city centre.

Tiny sushi portions but love the green lacquer bowl it was served on.

Lidded bowl of ferns with fried lotus root and prawn glutinous rice ball.

Beef cooked on Magnolia leaf.

One of the best tempura I have ever had, crispy mushroom head arranged to look like chrysanthenum flower arrangement. The tempura was light and crispy. You can tell fresh oil was used.

Handmade soba and miso which is local in Matsumoto.

Dessert, a yuzu jelly and fried soba balls.

What is this beautiful flower which I saw a staff do flower arrangement in the morning with fresh cut flowers.

民芸旅館 深志荘
〒390-0825 Nagano Prefecture, Matsumoto, 並柳2-11-21
0263-28-6500
https://g.co/kgs/hSKnC2

Alpine tour, Tateyama to Matsumoto Day 3

Early in the morning the fog covered the mountain in front of our hotel. What did it mean? Our sight seeing ruined?

After breakfast at 7am, we took the 930am bus to Murodo to continue our descent down to Ogizawa and Shinano Omachi.

I was glad we spent the night in the mountains as we were in high spirits to appreciate the mountain view. The fog had cleared.

Surprisingly no queue despite golden week.

While it looks complicated, the signages are clearly marked. If you have the 5 day JR Alpine pass, just wave it when you join the queue. You do not need to exchange for any ticket.

We took the Tateyama Tunnel Trolley Bus (10 mins) to Daikanbo (the observation deck atop the station). Majestic.
 

Tateyama Ropeway / 7 mins to Kurobedaira. We took 3 times.

Kurobe Cable Car / 5 mins through the mountain.

Kurobeko 15 mins on foot to Kurobe Dam Station.

Largest hydro dam in Japan. A movie starring famous actors were in it and it has star status like the Hoover Dam. Come in June to see water gushing out.

Kanden Tunnel Trolley Bus / 16 mins to Ogizawa Sta and bus to Shinano Omachi station to catch the JR to Matsumoto.

At Shinano Omachi train station we saw bags being dropped by TQBin, the luggage delivery but we had arranged for ours to be sent to our ryokan in Matsumoto, which coincidentally had a TQBin right in front too.

So you can arrange to pick up your luggage and board the train at 1413hrs. The train left the station only at 1423hrs and arrived later at 1518hrs which would be a problem for the connecting train.

As our pick up was only at 1730hrs we walked Matsumoto town which is small and quaint. So go to Nawate Street.

These flags are near Nawate shopping street. The fish flags are flown to celebrate “boys day”.

Spent night of Day 3 in Matsumoto where international artist Kusama was born

Review of accomodation
Fukushiso inn provides shuttle pick up from the JR Matsumoto station. About 10 min drive or 40 min walk away.

Will I ever stay? I didnt realise how far it was. If I were driving through and rates were low enough, I would, with expectation that it is a 2 star accommodation in terms of facilities but 5 star in service.

A mismatch in price I paid and the facilities. But the service level was good.
I attribute much of the miscomm to Agoda site with no information on website or email.

I would book direct from Fukushiso website in future. When I contacted them through Agoda website, no response and didnt realise that there was free shuttle.

Only when I found the ryokan’s site (through search engine), and their email on actual day, I emailed and got a prompt response on the free shuttle from Matsumoto Station (West side) at 3.30pm or 5.30pm.

Staff spoke decent English and food was good, not as luxurious as what the photos show.

Breakfast was surprisingly good if you like Japanese style breakfast. There was curry rice and decent coffee with yogurt, juice etc. Rooms are tiny with futon mats and no attached bathrooms.

Excellent 5 star hospitality from staff, very attentive. Real flowers all over the house. Its like a nice motel not a typical ryokan with tiny gardens and good onsen. Although it uses natural spring water.

10 min walk away there is a supermarket if you want to take a walk after dinner. Or choose to eat at the various food places including MOS Burger at surburban outlet.

Catch the morning shuttle to Matsumoto station at 9am.

Inn Fukashiso
2-11-21, Namiyanagi, Matsumoto city, Nagano 390-0825, Japan, Matsumoto, Matsumoto, Japan 390-0825
http://www.fukashiso.com/
民芸旅館 深志荘
0263-28-6500
https://g.co/kgs/hSKnC2
mail@fukashiso.com