Day 99: Whisky In The Mountains

Another day, another whisky distillery.

Today we caught the same train we took to get to Yamanashi the day before which was a lesson for us in planning and efficiency. Oh well, past the same stations we passed the day before and into the mountains, we headed to the Hakushu distillery for the best whisky tour we'd been on.

After a 15 or so minute cab ride, we found ourselves in what looked like an evil lair. Guards on all corners, stone buildings, secluded forests and all that.

We had our suitcases with us (as we were staying overnight in Komagane) and in true Japanese convenience, there were coin lockers for us to put our bags in. 

On the way to the whisky lair.

All booked in for the tour! The tour costs ¥1000 which was well worth it.

The tour guide did the tour in Japanese, but we were given audio guides (which actually worked!) and he spoke English so he was able to go into more detail for us.

After catching a special bus to the next building – it was a 20 second bus ride! – we reached the barrel room. The tour guide warned us before going in that it had a super strong smell, which he was not wrong about. After a little bit you did get used to it though, I think it was a mix of alcohol aromas and wood.

And now the tasting! We got to try four different whiskies and he taught us how to make a proper highball. They provided snacks and chocolates plus two types of water that use the water from the area. Amazing!

Our own highballs!

Little birdhouses in the trees!

We had a bit of time to kill before the train to Komagane in Nagano, so we walked around the deserted town in search for lunch.

Nothing was open except for this soba stand at the station. The soba was cheap (only ¥400!) and warm and the home made onigiri made a great train snack.

Mmm soba...

My train onigiri (and my wonderful nails).

Neighbours walking in a mountain town. I like the serenity of this photo.

We made it to Komagane and after checking into Linx resort (thank you for the upgrade!) we took a walk around the town. It's strange going to snow resorts when there is no snow because they look odd and a little creepy, a la this photo.

We underestimated how cold it would be and we nearly froze our underdressed butts off. I resorted to stealing Adam's beanie to try and get warm.

Hey, it's one of those inceptiony iPhone photos!

Trying to make the suspension bridge shake.

We felt as though we needed a good wine after yesterday's unsuccessful wine tasting so splurged on a Beaujolais Nouveau wine that was a Tomorrowland collaboration (because we're suckers for a collab). Ugh... it was not good. Ughhhhhhhhh. I just want some good wine!

And because there was nothing really open in this town except for the hotel buffet we sadly couldn't afford, it was cup noodles, which was actually really satisfying.

Cup noodles, average wine and Hypernormalisation. What an odd, but strangely good night in the mountains.