2024.09.06-10 Trip Around Central Japan Part 3
The next morning, I did some shopping in Takayama City
and headed to the final destination of this trip, Takasome Campground in Matsumoto, Shinshu.
Although it's in Matsumoto, it's actually located in the mountains halfway between Takayama and Matsumoto,
so it's too far to go from Chiba,
but I was finally able to include it in this trip's itinerary.
I'm visiting Xinn's home ground.
On the way, there was the Nagawado Dam.
I thought, 'That's huge,' and pulled the car into the parking lot without thinking,
but it seems it was the second largest in the country after Kurobe Dam when it was completed (is it third now?)
And so, I finally arrived at Takasome.
It's a strange feeling to have been here many times even though it's my first time visiting lol
I was able to book the A6 site recommended by Xinn.
Since it was a weekday, it was relatively empty,
but everyone thinks the same way,
and only the area with a good view along the A6 site was filled lol
First, a drink with Hida Takayama Beer.
I'm camping in Matsumoto this time, but since I did my shopping in Takayama,
the lineup is generally Hida Takayama-themed lol
Starting with Gifu's local dish, Keichan.
Just like Genghis Khan in Shinshu, you can usually find packs of Keichan
at supermarkets in Gifu.
Basically, it's a stir-fry of chicken seasoned with miso and cabbage.
I've been making it at camp sometimes since I first had it at Hirayu Onsen.
At first glance, it looks like thick fried tofu, but this is deep-fried tofu.
It's called Tochio-age, a deep-fried tofu from Niigata,
and I bought it because the camping comedian Asuwa said it was delicious.
I lightly grilled it and ate it with grated daikon radish, green onions, and dashi.
The dashi soaked in and it was very delicious.
I went for a walk to digest a little.
Like this, there's a lake and white birch trees in front of me, and if it's sunny, you should be able to see Mt. Norikura too lol
It's a pretty big pond? Lake? It seems you can also fish here.
You can see it in the back, but there are also bungalows and such.
Things like this are nice, aren't they? ^^
The shop at the administration building was well-stocked, and
like Togakushi, although the facilities aren't new,
it was a comfortable environment that was kept clean.
The sun has set, so on to today's main dish.
Hida beef and Hida sake.
I missed out on eating Hida beef at the izakaya the previous day because I was overwhelmed by the price,
but it was discounted, so this was about 1,000 yen!
Simply in sukiyaki style.
...No, I've eaten various beef, from Yonezawa to Matsusaka, Omi to Kobe,
but this was the best I've ever had! It wasn't greasy at all,
and it didn't have that beefy smell I dislike at all.
The sake went down too easily, and it was cool, so I was in my sleeping bag in no time lol
The next morning, breakfast was soba, as is typical for Shinshu.
Hearty meat soba.
With pork, green onions, grated daikon radish, and a little chili oil.
Chili oil and soba might seem unorthodox, but it's delicious.
I was also able to meet the idol cat, Tsukune-shi, whom I couldn't meet yesterday.
It was cute sleeping properly in a solo tent ^^
And so, the 5-day, 4-night trip has ended.
Since I stayed in hotels for 2 nights and was able to meet friends,
the 5 days and 4 nights went by in a flash.
I want to visit Togakushi and Takasome again someday ^^
And I recorded my 200th night of camping on this trip lol
It felt like it just happened before I knew it lol
I hope this becomes a hobby I can enjoy for the rest of my life.