Kokuya, Shibu Onsen, Japan – Part 3
I promise this will be the last part and won’t bore you with more about our stay at Kokuya, but just look at the pic, how could you not ramble about this tranquil gorgeous little town? After an amazing Kaiseki 8 courses dinner, and a good night sleep, it’s time to pack our bags and ready to move on to our next destination. But first thing first, breakfast time! 
Soon we found ourselves in the cosy dining room again, but only this time all the colorful plates and bowls in various sizes are already spread across the table. Our friendly lady came in later with two glasses of sparkling fruit juice and joking around asking us whether we had a good night sleep on the futon.
L to R clockwise: pickled vegetable and plum; seaweed; miso and radish; mixed salad dish
The traditional Japanese breakfast is a nice change from the so-called western style breakfast with plastic bacon and sausages. The japanese breakfast is a lot healthier as well in my opinion. We both had a bowl of steamed rice, and lots of side dishes to go with it.
L to R: Stewed Daikon in miso; Miso Soup; half-boiled egg; cute little bunny plate.
L to R clockwise: Tofu stewed in mirin soy sauce; persimmon & sparkling fruit juice; mushroom natto & grilled salmon fillet; is the cute bunny plate again!
This is probably one of the most elaborate Japanese breakfast I’ve had. The pickled vegies are neatly stacked, the tofu is slowly simmering in the hot pot, the half-boiled egg is smooth and can almost swallow whole, it is going to be a hearty satisfying meal. We finished the meal with fresh persimmons on a uber cute bunny plate.
Sadly is also the time to check out.
The friendly staff at Kokuya kindly offering us a leave to the train station which we were much appreciated. We had some spare time to kill, so we decided to had a walk around the street for one last time before heading over to train station. When we arrived back at the ryokan, Okamisan (the manageress) was already there ready to see us leave. She then handled over a small parcel of hand-made rice cakes, thanking us for staying at her ryokan.
chrysanthemum infused rice cakes
It was totally unexpected, and extremely nice of her for the kind gesture. We had the rice cakes on the shinkansen way back to Nagano. The trip into the Japanese alps, seeing the monkey, soaking in the hot bath, tasting the exquisite kaiseki are all wonderful; but is the small gesture like receiving the rice cakes from Okamisan herself that makes the whole trip unforgettable.
Kokuys in Shibu Onsen, we will be back.
First day arrived at Kokuya, Shibu Onsen – Part 1
Kaiseki dinner at Kokuya, Shibu Onsen – Part 2
A Table For Two (ATFT) is Billy Law's food blog that features best eats in Sydney and around the world with drool-worthy food photography to salivate your appetite. I also throw in a smidgen of my food and travel photography for good measure. Billy Law also happened to be a contestant on MasterChef Australia 2011. 
I want the bunny plate! And that egg. YUM! That’s how I like my eggs.
A great series Billy! That breakfast looks so cute…
Peter G’s last blog post..Baklavas
i looove the pic of the scenery! It’s amazing! And the rice cakes look really yummy! Are they the same thing as onigiri?
K’s last blog post..Rengaya, North Sydney
Congrats on winning the Joust, Billy! Your entry was awesome and the photos from your trip to Japan are gorgeous.
Laurie’s last blog post..Sicilian Scrod
See, now that’s what I call breakfast! Always love the multi-layered presention of Japanese meals, although I do feel sorry for the person who has to wash up! So sweet of your ryokan host to give you a gift too. Love the packaging.
Helen’s last blog post..Chez Pascal, Ramsgate
@K: LOL…. ok next time I will sneak it into my man’s bag for you!
@Peter G: is cute and healthy!
@K: Shibu Onsen is truly an amazing place, so tranquil and relaxing. Onigiri has filling, but this rice cakes are just plain rice.
@Laurie: Thanks Laurie! ^_^
@Helen: Hehehe… but the washing should be easy since there is no fry or stickt greasy food… the plate always clean!
Hello! Just been reading your three parter on Kokuya, which I’ve been researching as a place to stay in November for a night. Incredible photos of dinner and breakfast by the way! You’ve made my mind up for me. Thanks Billy…
.-= Helen Yuet Ling Pang´s last blog ..St. Alban (Mediterranean) – London, England (7/10) =-.