It finally happened, the dreaded Japanese meal. Yep, dinner was included in our stay at this charming typical Japanese inn in Kiso Fukushima. Beautifully appointed and arranged this 6 course meal sat waiting for us. For me this is not my first dinner choice but for Shap it is “never” dinner choice. HIs favorites, raw fish, tofu, raw and steamed vegetables, lots of mushrooms, strange things floating in broth which he was convinced were rubber bands, and finally pickled whatever. I am sure I will be hearing him mummer in his sleep, “Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger.” Despite the three glasses of sparkling water to wash down the slippery fish, he did well. Doesn’t he look happy?

We arrived by train from Kanazawa to Kiso Fukushima which is one of the stops along the Nakasendo Highway. I had read about this highway and decided it should be included in our trip as the hiking seemed reasonable and we were able to stay in a Japanese Inn and experience the bath house after our hike.

The Nakasendo HIghway was an old feudal highway that ran between Kyoto and Toyko.It was built in the 8th century and it helped to unite the state around the old capital Nara. There are 69 stops along the way and 11 of them are in the Kiso region. Our walk up the paths, past shrines,and graveyards into a forest of cedars that conjured up pictures of people “forest bathing.” The only bathing I accomplished was sweating going up hill, way above the village.

Check in time at our inn was 3:00, but 3:00 found us overlooking the village with a steep decent. Arrival at the inn was easy and quick. We soon found ourselves in our quaint room with the beds on the floor and kimonos waiting for us to wear to the bath house and even dinner. The bath house was delightful with two baths one indoors and one outdoors, separated into men and women sides. Small stools lined the walls with faucets and hand held showers, a bucket if you wanted it to wash your face, and various soaps and shampoos. After scrubbing down, I spent time in both baths and talked to some women who were walking the trail for several days. Relaxed and VERY clean I was happy we opted for this side track adventure. Back to the real world tomorrow.

Some scenes around the area.