I love, love, love this castle! Sure, it was really hot and super sunny by the time I got to it, but it was amazing.
Miyota Soba Restaurant
I found this restaurant the night before, so I knew to show up at least 30 minutes before it opened. This way, I was one of the first ones in line.
I ordered a set menu with baked miso paste, wasabi leaves, cucumber and squid as appetizers. Pork nabe, bashimi (horse meat), and assorted tempura for the main course. I also ordered a side of cold soba (it was a high of 30 C).
All of the food was delicious. Especially the baked miso paste. I have never had miso paste served to me on a wooden spoon before.
The shrine is down a little street right next to the river.
I then walked back to Matsumoto City Art Museum to view the Yayoi Kusama exhibit. Sadly, no pictures are allowed and the staff kept anyone with a camera in sight at all times.
The first restaurant I tried was booked for the night, so I went to my back up.
I entered the restaurant and the hostess looked at me and I could see the panic setting in. I, a foreigner, was in her restaurant. She clearly did not speak any English, so I told her that Japanese was okay.
She then brought me a menu in stylized kanji that I could not read.
I asked her to read the menu to me and every item she read off, I said "that sounds delicious" to. So I asked her if I could have a set of tempura and sashimi. She looked at me like I was crazy, but said that it was okay.
I was first brought a salad along with a beer. The salad was amazing! It had a tangy sauce with blueberries.
I was then brought some tofu with wasabi and pickled eggplant.
Around this time, I was second guessing ordering so much food...
Then came the sashimi and tempura. Along with a large bowl of rice.
Needless to say, I sat there for a good hour to finish the food. It was all amazing and delicious, so I was not in a rush. It was also my birthday and after walking over 10km, I felt I could afford to sit for a while.
I walked back to the rest stop, crawled into my car, and crashed.