JP 2016 Feb Kinki (Part 4)

Onsen villa in Eastern Nara Prefecture

Arrived at the onsen villa in remote mountain/valley after a long drive.  The villa is huge with several houses and a garden beside a river stream and a forest. The owner is a senior living there who has renovated part of the house with onsen facilities. His late father has been awarded by the Showa Emperor due to his contribution in forestry.  

The owner was quite meticulous in serving a Shabu-shabu dinner with famous local pork and vege. After breakfast, he took us to a tea house and served Japanese tea in the traditional manner. Overall, it was quite an experience.  Returned car in Hashimoto and took train back to Osaka/Namba.

 

Winter Illumination in Osaka

 

 

Ume blossom in Osaka castle garden

Before departure, visited the Ume garden in Osaka castle. The garden is huge with many Ume varieties. Though it was not in full bloom yet – many trees were in bare branches, others were blooming.  In our opinion, this garden is even bigger than the one in Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto that we visited earlier in this trip.

 

 

Leave a Reply