Japan Trip - Sagashio Kan

Sagashio Kan is more than 100 year old hotel which is located near Katsunuma Wine region, Yamanashi prefecture.
It takes 20 minutes by car from Kaiyamato station.

We enjoyed the autumn color view on the way, but when we arrived at the hotel, it was about 1200 m above the sea level and the scenery was more winter-like.

Surrounded by mountains. No buildings nearby.

The outside and the inside of the building had history and charm.

First, we took bath.

This is not technically Onsen, This is called Kosen.
The temperature is not high enough to be defined as Onsen or something like that.
However, it felt as good as Onsen. In fact, I sometimes find Onsen too hot, so this was perfect for me.
There are three bath rooms: one for women, one for men, and one for rent-out.
You can use the rent-out bath room privately for 45 minutes. No fee or reservation required. First come, first served.

Then, dinner time!
They serve carefully prepared local cuisine made with, of course, local ingredients.

Appetizer and Duck Nabe 

Baked Quail and Quail Egg cooked in wine

We chose Koshu wine for this dinner

Sashimi Konnyaku. Fresh and sweet!

River fish stuffed with local Mushroom

Fig soup, palate cleanser

Turnip with Ankake

Matsutake Rice! I was full but couldn't resist
the local Soba was unbelievably delicious! 

Dessert:Cheese Cake and Pumpkin Ice Cream

Dinner full of local ingredients and clever ideas.
I was deadly full after this great dinner, but didn't feel heavy.

I was struggling with jet lag and having trouble with falling asleep in Japan, 

but this day, I slept really deep.

View from the room next morning.

The breakfast was fresh and great, as expected.

Mountain Vegetables, Half Boiled Egg, Green Salad, Sweet and Salty Fish,
 and Chicken Meat Ball Nabe 

Coffee Jelly, not too sweet and had good bitterness
refreshing after the meal

It was a quiet hotel in the middle of nowhere.

My Japan trip is always hectic, so I wanted to just relax here, but time passed so quickly.

Time to leave...they drove us to the station.

It was a sunny day and on the way to the station...

Mt. Fuji!!!

Just 6 minute train ride, and we were in Katsunuma, Japanese Wine Country!