Previous step of the trip : the Kami-Kochi area.

Lost at the end of a valley, Shin-Hodaka is mostly famous for its onsen! We visited there one the biggest baths I have seen so far in Japan... and with almost no one there. Again, like in many mountainous areas, all baths are konyoku (mixed bath).

In the evening, we stopped in Hirayu Onsen, where we had first a feet bath, and then a nice, traditional dinner! Very traditional, indeed, with mostly mountain vegetables.

Next step of the trip : the Norikura Kogen (Nagano-ken).