Day 1: Our Momijigari Holiday :)

Nikko famed for its autumn hues was on our to-go places during autumn. The theme for this holiday is momijigari. :) 

Shinkyo bridge stands at the entrance of Nikko's shrines and temples. 

From the bridge, we strolled to Toshogu Shrine. Every angle is photo worthy. :)

Day 1: Autumn with Wendy & Lin :)

Despite reminding ourselves not to take any red eye flight, we were on it again. :))) We arrived in Haneda Airport at 6am...we definitely needed some perk-me-up.

It was to the car rental company to pick up our car after breakfast, officially starting our momijigari vacay to Nikko. The drive was approximately 3 hours. The timing was perfect and we arrived on time for traditional soba lunch at Santate Soba Nagahataan. 

Santate Soba Nagahataan is one of the most famous soba restaurants in Nikko. This place serves nothing but buckwheat soba, so if you are one who loves variety, you need to manage your expectation when visiting. :)

As for dessert, we had kiwis! :D

Details of Santate Soba Nagahataan:

365-1 Nagahata

Nikko 321-1108 

Tochigi Prefecture

T: +81 288-27-2488

Day 4 & 5: Element Stay

If you like an experience of staying in a barn, check out Element Furano. It's a standalone amongst the fields. We did a one nite stay here.

Guests get to emjoy freshly prepared breakfast at Element. :) 

A restful nite ensures a day of stamina for the fun ahead. :)

Details of Element:
Japan, 〒071-0734 Hokkaido, Sorachi District, Nakafurano, Nakafurano 
Shikauchinojo
T: +81 167-44-3051
W: https://www.elementfurano.com/about-us-english

Day 4: Eating Healthy at Restaurant Asperges

For today's lunch, we are having it at Restaurant Asperges. A Michelin star restaurant, it prides itself with serving diners freshest produce grown from the fields of Biei. :)

The decor of the restaurant is simply clean with full glass window that allows ample natural light to flow through every corner of the establishment. This simplicity is evident in the food Restaurant Asperges serves as well, allowing us to taste the natural flavors of every ingredient.

What we do before every meal...finding every opportunity to "cling" our glasses. :D

Colorful edible works :)

This dish caused so much anticipation and excitement. The waitress brought out a huge Staub pot and was explaining to us in Japanese what it was, keeping the pot closed at all times. (note: our gasp of the language is bare minimum).It must be something really good and we were all anticipating it was some premium beef or seafood. When she opened the cover to present the star dish, we gotta hold in our laughters, not wanting to appear rude. The look on our faces...priceless.

So here we have it...the star dish... :))) Half a cherry tomato and a stalk of broccoli. 

Dessert was simple and clean too. :)

This has gotta be the lightest meal of our trip but we were stuffed from laughing. :))) An experience that inked deeply in our memory.

Details of Restaurant Asperges:
6-2-6 Omachi, Biei, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-0204, Japan
T: +81 166-92-5522
W: https://biei-asperges.com/