To the World Above the Clouds & Onsen for Royalty

          The Shin-hotaka Ropeway (新穂高ロープウェイ)

          is the first in Japan to use the double-decker cabins!

Our destination of the day: Self-drive trip from Takayama to Shin-Hotaka Ropeway and the Ohuida onsen. 

We were lucky that autumn was at its peak when we visited the mountain range. 

Astounding view! 

Though I did wonder if the Japanese seeded the trees according to their colours, because they were in neat distinctive rows!

Rows of trees glimmered in yellow and orange hues; evergreens contrasted the passage of time, and the Alps clad in their white, we can only be amazed by Nature's art piece.

The ropeway brought us to the Alps observation deck at 2,156m elevation above sea level. The cute post box is the highest in Japan! Unfortunately, we could not see the Alps due to the heavy fog blanket nonetheless, the mini hailstones brought out the child in us :D 

~ The best autumn picturesque I have ever come across ~

A few hours at the ropeway before we drove to the nearby Okuhida Onsen (our lodging for the night) located in the valley at the base of the Hotaka Mountains which offer nice views of the surrounding Northern Alps.

The rotemburo (outdoor baths) in Nakamurakan (中村館). 

Our lodging for 1 night. Meals- inclusive onsen stay. It costs a whooping S$200/ pax. 

Now you know why we can't even stay an additional night :(

Baths (indoors and outdoors) are separated by gender, and we (by that I mean my sister & I went into one, and shark had the other bath entirely to himself) tried the private outdoor bath after the grandeur dinner! 

Soaking our tummies in the warm water whilst the chill night wind caressing our faces, and the quietness of the surroundings. So this was how royalty were treated in the past! Ah...Life must be dam good!

 We woke up early and went to the baths again before checking out. Must fully utilise our money! 

Our grandeur dinner. The spread was more than what I could capture. Everything was served in sequence, and the presentation looked too good to be eaten. 

What could be better than a scrumptious dinner after an onsen bath on a cold autumn night ?! 

See the layout of the dining hall ?! I wonder if they used ruler. 

Our breakfast before checking out. It is always a pleasure to wake up to a spread of healthy breakfast. The miso paste is home-made and goes so well with the rice. Japanese food is just so clean & exquisite.  They have the ability to make the simplest food taste great effortlessly. 

Even their eggs taste much better~ 

And no, I am not exaggerating. 

Have I not reiterate enough? Japan is simply amazing ;)