Japanese Food Bites: Indulging in the Taste of Summer

10:11 AM
As we make the transition from the loud, busy, overstimulating Tokyo to the calmness of Bensho Onsen we can’t help but walk fast through the Tokyo station, excited to experience our First bullet train ( The Shinkansen). As we roam around the endless Tokyo station, we were able to experience the travel culture of Japan by purchasing our very own bento box ( Ekiben) for the ride. The great variety of each bento was incredibly mesmerizing From wagyu beef to katsu chicken to fried fish. Every dish you can imagine, paired with rice and other side dishes that complement each other so perfectly. Books, bentos, headphones, coffee, and more became visible in everyone’s hands as we found our seats on the Shinkansen to soothe the long journey.

11:51 AM
As we prepare to exit the quick moving train, luggage in hand and a smile alongside it, excited to see what Ueda has to offer us. We are greeted by mountains of greens, a clear blue sky with cotton candy clouds. A well needed break from such a fast paced 2 weeks. We get on the Bessho line to conclude the long journey, and we can’t help but gravitate towards the windows
of the train, fascinated by the freshly planted rice, the long, plain fields, and the hills of trees. We arrive at the last stop, Bensho Onsen, and get our luggage picked up by the hotel. We begin heading to the foot bath onsen recommended by our wonderful professors, which was up a hill with skinny little side lines to walk on.

1:29 PM
As we soak our feet in the onsen and enjoy light snacks, preparing for the luxurious dinner that’s yet to come, we begin exploring the temples around Bensho onsen and its historical significance. Our first temple was (Kitamuki Kannon Do Temple,) which was filled with amazing views from the top of the hill have a great sense of scenery. We were also able to visit a small little street filled with about 8 stores total filled with authentic hand made art pieces, coffee And matcha, and a souvenir shop.

3:00 PM
We were able to check into our new home for the day, greeted with an introduction to the hotel’s layout and accommodations as well as a tutorial on how to wear our yukata for the day. When wearing a yukata, you must keep in mind the golden rule of always wrapping the left side over the right side or you become “dead”. We head over to our rooms which were large, comfortabl,e and extremely exciting. Chairs with no legs, mattresses as beds and a view that leaves you speechless. Immediately, our yukata almost levitated and attached to our bodies. We were also given toe socks which were a huge hit amongst our group.

4:36 PM
Just A 10 minute walk to the first national treasure the only wooden octagonal pagoda in Nanago ( Anrakuji Hakkaku Three story Pagoda). Filled with enormous trees, a small pond, and sets of stairs that lead you up to the temple. A very restricted walk due to the unfamiliarity of the wooden slippers ( geta).
5:45 PM
We head back to the hotel to get ready for the upcoming feast that awaits us. Matching in our Yukata and our toe socks we sit down in rows with a grill on our right side and our first course meal which was filled with Sashimi, glazed fish, pickled vegetables, carrot wine, and miso Soup. We were able to try multiple courses like tempura, wagyu beef, with miso soup and rice.
I had the honor of talking to Huong after our lovely dinner and she claimed that the “ 7 course meal gave me the opportunity to try foods I wouldn’t try on my own, like fermented vegetables that I don’t know the name of, honestly. They were alright, but I did like the beef a lot, it was very fatty. I loved the sashimi and the miso soup to cleanse my palate. I also loved the tempura, I also loved the soup with the mushrooms, the melon was really sweet, and the pumpkin was amazing. I honestly loved all of it.”
7:00 PM
We ended the night with cherries, melon, and oranges, which was the final course to our beautiful, well prepared dinner. A day full of travel, new experiences, new foods and a great family to do it Alongside.