Yudanaka

Today we got the Shinkansen and then the Snow Monkey train from Kanazawa to Yudunaka in the Highlands, via Nagano. It was all very simple. The only downside was that we didn't have a long stop in Nagano so there wasn't time to get out of the modern centre to the more interesting neighbourhoods. Its noticeably cooler here, and the blossoms are still on the trees, but the sky was blue all day.

Tonight we're staying at a proper, old-fashioned ryokan (inn). You are given robes and slippers to wear, they provide a set dinner and breakfast, and there is a connected outdoor onsen (hot spring bath). H made sure I got over my hangups (it's public but gender segregated, you shower beforehand and then no swimwear is allowed) and we tried it out after dinner. I thought it might be a bit hot for H but we both loved it!

Before dinner we walked down to the Shibu Onsen District where there are a series of 9 hot springs and lots of older village buildings. Blip and first extra from there. Second extra is the sunset from the ryokan.