Day 13, July 5

It was a very early start today, starting with a half hour walk with our suitcases to the Sinjuku Express Bus Terminal to catch a 7.20am bus. We arrived in Magome around midday – well not actually in Magome as it turns out! The bus dropped us at a service centre outside Magome so we had about another 30 minute walk to get to our Hostel. Again with our suitcases but this was very hilly! Beautiful scenery though, through lots of rice paddy fields. Magome is a very picturesque village in the mountains. We had steamed buns for lunch and there was even a vegan one for Tess. The hostel is very friendly and we are in the special “school master’s room” apparently. We think it is a school camp most of the year.

We took the courtesy bus to the Onsen where Gerard, Tess and Tara bathed in the nuddy in the natural hot spring. Males and females have separate bathing areas and swim suits are not allowed. We dined in the restaurant there before catching the courtesy bus back to the hostel. It is strange walking around in bare feet in a restaurant, no shoes allowed inside in this part of Japan.

This was an unusual thing to find amongst the rice paddy fields.

This is the steamed bun shop showing the big wooden steamers.

They love Hydrangeas here and this is the most beautiful one I have seen!