This past weekend, we went to Karuizawa, a popular vacation spot in the mountains that's about an hour train ride from Tokyo. It was the first time in 15+ years that I had gone there, but not much had changed. One of my fave spots from childhood is this little hole-in-the-wall ramen shop called "Gyoza Kaikan." It's at the edge of town, tucked into a tiny alley that you could very easily miss if you didn't know what you were looking for. I remember going there and lining up to get a seat when I was a kid. The food tasted the same = pretty damn good. Afterwards we went to see a waterfall.
WOW, That waterfall is so AWESOME! Next time I go to Japan, please tell me where this is so I can visit it with my daughter. :)
Posted by: Dak Roland | September 29, 2008 at 04:05 AM
what?! no pictures of the food?? =(
Posted by: pirikara | September 29, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Dak, it is located there in Karuizawa. Here's a link to the city web site in English. http://www.town.karuizawa.nagano.jp/html/English/index.html
Since I have not been there, my opinion is biased and would recommend Nikko first. Also, just a short train ride from Tokyo.
The weather is also fantastic from May - October, as you avoid the summer heat in these higher elevation towns.
Posted by: vagrant | September 29, 2008 at 10:13 AM