- 2022.11.10
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Mountain drive to fluffy omelet rice…come follow my day!
Driving is one of my favorite activities for the colder months because I get to enjoy beautiful views without freezing my toes, nose or anywhere exposed (yes, I made that rhyme). So, today, I am headed to Kochi’s epic mountain road, which not only is the highest point in Shikoku but also has the most creative name…the UFO Line!
At an altitude of up to around 1700 meters (over 5 times that of Tokyo Tower), the UFO Line offers breathtaking views of the Ishizuchi Mountain Range. Luckily, I managed to catch the last of the dazzling autumn foliage painting the mountainsides (peak season is typically mid-October to early November)
On my way back to Kochi City, I stopped by one of the four Hodono Waterfalls in Ino Town. After about a 15-minute walk from the parking lot near the Higashi (East) Falls lookout point, I arrived. The rushing water and beautifully-carved stone wall collaborated magnificently with the fiery maple trees
Quick tip! Located around 15 minutes from the Higashi Falls lookout point by car is a wonderful campsite called Green Park Hodono (bungalows and tent rentals available). If you’re a nature-lover, I recommend spending a night or two so you can really explore the area (and perhaps check off visiting all four Hodono Waterfalls too)
No mini road trip around this area is complete without a visit to the crystal-clear Niyodo River so I take a little detour to Kataoka Chinkabashi (submersible bridge). At about 100 meters in length, Kataoka Chinkabashi has been an important part of the community and landscape for over 50 years????
Last but not least, my final stop of the day is Manma-tei in Hidaka Village. Locally-grown, tomato-flavored stir-fried rice with veggies and chicken, topped with a fluffy omelet and delicious dollop of ketchup…omurice is a classic western-style Japanese dish that is oh so comforting. Locally-grown ‘sugar tomatoes’ famously have up to 1.5 times the standard sweetness, which creates a divine omurice of savory and sweet
Learn more about Hidaka Village: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10508
Green Park Hodono: https://www.gp-hodono.jp/en/
At an altitude of up to around 1700 meters (over 5 times that of Tokyo Tower), the UFO Line offers breathtaking views of the Ishizuchi Mountain Range. Luckily, I managed to catch the last of the dazzling autumn foliage painting the mountainsides (peak season is typically mid-October to early November)
On my way back to Kochi City, I stopped by one of the four Hodono Waterfalls in Ino Town. After about a 15-minute walk from the parking lot near the Higashi (East) Falls lookout point, I arrived. The rushing water and beautifully-carved stone wall collaborated magnificently with the fiery maple trees
Quick tip! Located around 15 minutes from the Higashi Falls lookout point by car is a wonderful campsite called Green Park Hodono (bungalows and tent rentals available). If you’re a nature-lover, I recommend spending a night or two so you can really explore the area (and perhaps check off visiting all four Hodono Waterfalls too)
No mini road trip around this area is complete without a visit to the crystal-clear Niyodo River so I take a little detour to Kataoka Chinkabashi (submersible bridge). At about 100 meters in length, Kataoka Chinkabashi has been an important part of the community and landscape for over 50 years????
Last but not least, my final stop of the day is Manma-tei in Hidaka Village. Locally-grown, tomato-flavored stir-fried rice with veggies and chicken, topped with a fluffy omelet and delicious dollop of ketchup…omurice is a classic western-style Japanese dish that is oh so comforting. Locally-grown ‘sugar tomatoes’ famously have up to 1.5 times the standard sweetness, which creates a divine omurice of savory and sweet
Learn more about Hidaka Village: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10508
Green Park Hodono: https://www.gp-hodono.jp/en/
