after our explorations around fuji, we drove to one of the old post towns along the nakasendō trail – a historic walking route from the edo period connecting tokyo and kyoto through central japan’s mountains. we parked the rv at one end of a segment of the route, took a taxi to the other end, and walked back. it was a pretty incredible little trek through wooded mountains, bamboo groves, postcard-perfect old towns, and mossy forests, past rice paddies, waterfalls, shrines, ancient cemeteries, and wildflowers.
after our long walk, we had our first onsen experience! exploring and enjoying different onsen became familiar and beloved to us throughout the following month in japan. this first onsen also had a big kids’ play area, which was a treat! we got some yummy curry for dinner after our soak – eating at coco ichibanya also became very familiar and beloved to us!
after sleeping overnight and then a “morning meeting” in the rv, we explored more old post towns the next day.
^^ always amazed by the lovely, pristine public restrooms in japan – this one even had fresh flowers in a vase by the sinks! ^^
^^ and also amazed by the sensational blooms we found in this last town, where the boys practiced some of their “combos” from karate class:
we found a michi-no-eki to park our car in for the night – and this one had an epic playground!! ^^