This time, let me introduce you to the historic inn "Mingei no Yado Sankasou" located in Okutama, Ome City, Tokyo. This inn is built on the summit of Mt. Mitake, which has an elevation of 929m. The building itself has a history dating back to about 300 years ago, before the Edo period. To reach the inn, you drive up to the trailhead of Mt. Mitake and then take a cable car to the summit. Inside the inn, you will find a collection of folk crafts that evoke a sense of different eras. It's easy to get lost in the uniqueness of these items and before you know it, time has flown by. The rooms are Japanese-style with plenty of space, making it suitable for couples or families. However, do note that there are no convenience stores on the mountain top. As night falls and you look out the window of your room, you will be amazed by the magnificent night view of the Kanto Plain. It's a luxurious moment to relax in the spacious Japanese-style room. The baths include a traditional cypress bath and a radium hot spring marble bath, perfect for soothing your tired muscles after hiking. During our stay, we were the only guests, so we were able to have a private bath at night. The cuisine is a creative Japanese course meal using mountain delicacies, which arouses both appetite and imagination. The dining area is also spacious, adorned with craft items that exude a sense of history. In the morning, we enjoyed a light breakfast of rice balls before setting off for a hike. A short walk uphill from the inn will lead you to Musashi Mitake Shrine, perfect for a morning stroll. We accidentally ended up on a more challenging hiking trail, but it was a fun adventure! Upon returning from our walk, we were treated to freshly brewed coffee by the hostess. Exploring the inn and chatting with the hostess reveals many interesting discoveries, making for a delightful experience. The warmth and hospitality of the host and hostess create a cozy atmosphere at this charming inn. Among all the places I have visited, this inn stands out as the most memorable.

"The Story of the Mountain Where God Sits" is a novel by Jiro Asada set on Mt. Ontake. After reading it, I felt like visiting Mt. Ontake. At the summit, there is the Ontake Shrine and a town surrounding it, known as the "sky town." It's a strange sight to see a town only at the summit. In the town, there are restaurants, souvenir shops, and temple lodgings, with one of them being the Sankeiso, which was the setting of the novel. This lodging also offers lunch, so I decided to stop by. I had the "soba set," which included cold soba noodles, tempura, and two side dishes for 1500 yen. I also added some sake. The side dishes were grated yam and simmered mountain vegetables, both of which paired well with the sake. The tempura was crispy and delicious, with shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, peas, and peppers. Freshly fried tempura is always tasty. The meal ended with the cold soba noodles, which were decent. Overall, I enjoyed the meal more than I expected. I thought it would be a mediocre dining experience for visitors, but it turned out to be a nice restaurant. It's no surprise that it served good food, being the setting of a novel by Jiro Asada. Thank you for the meal.

The autumn leaves are at their peak, so I arrived at Mt. Mitake before 9 am for a stroll. When I went at the opening time of 11 am, there was a sign saying "Today's lunch is sold out". I tried calling out from the entrance but got no response. I had no choice but to go further inside, and then the staff came out to assist me. I was relieved when I was guided to a tatami room, as it quickly became full. I ordered the "tempura soba". The mountain tempura often lacks shrimp, but here it had shrimp, sweet potato, and pumpkin, which was satisfying. The sweet potato was delicious and generous in portion. The soba was quite light, which I personally liked. It's a good place to relax and heal the fatigue from mountain climbing in a tatami room. By the way, this place has a connection to a book by Mr. Asada Jiro, set on Mt. Mitake. I have grown to love Mt. Mitake even more after reading this book.

We stayed overnight at Mount Ontake for trekking. We arrived on Saturday evening, took a bath, and had dinner. There were about 6 groups of guests for dinner. Local mountain delicacies were served one after another. Everything tasted delicious. However, the portions were too big for us, a couple in our forties. The staff at the inn were kind, and the atmosphere in the lobby was nice.

The soba noodles were delicious, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was fantastic! They also offer accommodations as a temple lodging, so I would like to stay overnight next time!

On the way back from visiting Mount Mitake, I stopped by to have kama-meshi. It was simple but deeply flavorful and delicious.

I visit around May each year. I once forgot to order breakfast, but the dinner is always satisfying with a generous portion. The mountain is at a moderate height, and the distance from the city is just right, creating a nice atmosphere.

After a hike on Mt. Mitake, feeling sweaty and hungry, we stumbled upon Yama Koso, a charming inn near the cable car station. The sign advertising a bath, meal, and beer for 1995 yen caught our eye. The inn seemed steeped in history. We started with a bath, followed by a meal. The beer, served in a glass, was just right. The soba noodles and broth were delicious, and the grated yam in the side dish was a treat. But the real standout was the homemade konjac sashimi. My wife and I had never tasted such delicious konjac before. The thick, chewy slices paired perfectly with the refreshing ginger soy sauce. As we left, we complimented the konjac, and the staff proudly told us that they make it fresh daily. It's no wonder that regulars even reserve it in advance. I'll definitely be back for more. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

After a trail running race, I found a restaurant on the way to the ropeway station at Mt. Mitake. Soba noodles taste great in the mountains!! I didn't hesitate and ordered the soba noodles. A set meal was served. It was nice to have a luxurious feeling even at lunchtime. I also enjoyed a pre-meal drink and appetizers. It seems they also offer day trip hot springs. It looks like you can stay overnight as well. The atmosphere at the entrance, the staff's service, everything was excellent. You may not have the opportunity to visit often, but please try going there after climbing once. You'll understand once you go. It's a great restaurant!! I will visit again. Thank you for the meal.

After getting off the cable car, it takes about a 20-minute walk to reach the mountain top. Passing through the village and finishing the final uphill climb, I arrived at my destination, Yamakosou. The view was excellent, but unfortunately, it was cloudy so I couldn't enjoy it fully. Yamakosou is the maternal ancestral home of the writer Jiro Asada and often appears in his works. Inside, there is a spacious relaxing room with locally made folk crafts for sale, definitely worth a look. I was then led to a large tatami-floored dining area where I was the only customer on a weekday afternoon. The sound of cooking was faint but present in the quiet atmosphere. The lifestyle here follows the rhythm of sunrise and sunset for a healthy living. It's recommended to make a reservation for the meals. The staple dishes were soba and ayu (even though it was out of season), with rich flavors. The food was delicious and I enjoyed tempura with beer, spending a leisurely day without worrying about time. I suggest visiting with plenty of time to spare.