Japanese Alps (Matsumoto) & Nikko

Final stop in the Japanese Alps is Matsumotooo. Famous for its oldest wooden castle, lattice walled storehouses and for hikers a gateway to the many beautiful walks in the surrounding mountains. A huge doubt whether to visit again stunning Kamikochi but a 1,5 hours travel one way and a 4-hour hike seemed a bit too much for the kids.

Nikko is our last stop before ending our J-Trip in Tokyo. Again many shrines and temples surrounded by high cedar trees all set in a forest. We stayed in one of the few rooms of a beautiful, remote summer house where retired owner Hiro lives and likes to be accompanied by travellers. A day trip to lake Chuzen-ji was worth it with beautiful vistas along the steep mountain road with many hairpin curves, on the surrounding area, the Kegan waterfall and the lake itself.

Tokyo, here we come!Read more