Saturday, April 16, 2016

Wednesday - May 7 - Last Day Matsumoto

Once again we had Western breakfast at the ryokan with classical music, packed up our suitcases and our ride met us downstairs. Here is a picture of our lovely ryokan and it's owner.
Our ryokan in Matsumoto and the gracious owner

        
Our hosts took us up into the mountains again. Then Richard returned to the room to get some work done. Before our farewell dinner with the Matsumoto Chamber of Commerce.



Our hosts then took me to the beautiful Daio Wasabi Farm. They actually farm within the rocky riverbed of a beautiful, clear spring fed stream. The rows are all covered with black screen to protect them from the sun. It takes 2 years to grow a wasabi plant. It sells for $70 per pound. We wandered the beautiful grounds and stopped at the store to buy wasabi, of course, and enjoyed some wasabi ice cream. Yum!


Daio Wasabi Farm in clear spring river


That evening we were again treated by our hosts to a lovely dinner. Richard had ordered the specialty "sakuraniku" (horse meat).  They gave us gifts of poetry, fans and Japanese trinkets. But most of all they gave us incredible hospitality, memories and friendship. Thank you Take!

Dinner with the Matsumoto Chamber of Commerce