August 3, 2026
Woke up this day, ate breakfast as usual with Wing's family, drank the amazing coffee, then headed to Shōsenkyō, Kōfu. It's a beautiful mountain gorge that follows the Arakawa River through a granite valley.
The first stop was at Yamanashi Wine Kingdom.
Candid photos
We got to taste the best grape juice I've ever had.
After that, our turn was called for a table at Nagashi-Soumen & Houtou En-emon, where we nagashi-somen (flowing) cold noodles.
You put the noodles in the cold water and when it floats around to you, just grab them out and dip in the cup of sauce.
Then afterwards, we took a peaceful ride up the Shōsenkyō Ropeway.
This picture is made by rocks of the scenery.
At the top, Panorama-dai Station, we hiked the mountain trails (and did some pure, natural rock climbing) to see God's astonishing creation. The main trail is Yasaburō-dake, associated with Mt. Rakanji. We couldn't see Mt. Fuji because clouds covered it.
At the ropeway summit we hiked a trail Yasaburō-dake.
Quite a rustic hike.
The view at the top is spectacular.
Then we saw this ladder going up a rock, so I climbed first to make sure it was safe and then Wing came. 😂That was some true rock climbing.
How we take photos of each other. 😄
Ate grape ice cream after coming down from the trail- the absolute bomb.
Hiked the opposite way to see more amazing views.
This bell is the bell of love apparently. Ring it and you can have good luck in your love life. 😊
Rode back down the ropeway and saw these fish.
Walked along the street and stopped in Crystal Sound, a crystal museum.
There are these little stands along the road where you can put your phone to take selfies in front of special things. Genius idea.
And that's where I'm ending this day because there are too many pictures for one post. :)