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⭐ DAY 5 — Monday, June 1
TSUMAGO → TENKARA FISHING → RENTAL CAR → MATSUMOTO
Nature • Quiet adventure • Scenic drive • Food • Culture
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This day is balanced, beautiful, and very doable — and is shaped around your interests (art, nature, simplicity, meaningful travel).
🌄 Morning (6:30 AM – 8:30 AM)
Ryokan Breakfast + Check-Out
6:30–7:30 AM
Enjoy your traditional Japanese breakfast in the ryokan:
Rice
Miso soup
Grilled fish
Pickles
Eggs
Tea
This will energize you for the fishing experience.
7:30–8:30 AM
Pack, check out, and store luggage at the ryokan or bring with you depending on your fishing guide’s arrangement.
🎣 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
⭐ Tenkara Fishing Experience (Guided)
This will be one of the highlights of your trip.
Why it’s perfect for you:
Deep connection to nature
Quiet, meditative experience
Light physical activity (not strenuous)
Mountain rivers + forest surroundings
Extremely photogenic
Tenkara’s simplicity aligns with your interest in Japanese aesthetics + minimalism + printmaking themes
Typical flow:
Meet guide at designated spot (Nagiso, Tsumago, or nearby)
Short drive/hike to river
Receive simple equipment (rod, line, fly)
Instruction on technique
Practice casting in clear mountain water
Quiet, mindful fishing experience
Physical level:
Easy to moderate
You will be fine — lots of standing, but natural terrain.
Clothing advice:
Quick-dry pants
Lightweight shirt
Water shoes or sandals with grip
Towel
Lightweight rain jacket (just in case)
Photos:
The landscapes are wonderful for sketching or photographing textures:
Ripples
Stones
Algae lines
Moss
Shadows on water
Your printmaking brain will be firing.
🧳 12:00 – 12:30 PM
Transfer to Rental Car Pickup (Nagiso or Nakatsugawa)
You will travel from fishing area → train station area (Nagiso or Nakatsugawa) to pick up your rental car.
Why the car is great for you:
Flexibility
Scenic roads
Hidden shrines + viewpoints
No train stress
Perfect for exploring craft studios and nature
Pickup is easy — most Japanese rental agencies have excellent English support.
🍱 Lunch (12:30 – 1:30 PM)
⭐ Recommended Lunch: “Soba Restaurant Matsushita” (Nagiso)
(if near Nagiso Station)
Hand-cut soba noodles
Local mountain vegetables
Light, fresh, and satisfying
Perfect post-fishing meal
Other lunch options:
Nakatsugawa highway rest stop cafés (excellent udon/soba)
Local minshuku-run eateries near the stations
What you should get:
Cold soba (zaru soba)
Or soba + tempura set
This is simple but perfect.
🚗 1:30 – 3:00 PM
⭐ Drive: Kiso Valley → Matsumoto
This is a beautiful 1.5-hour drive through:
Forests
Rivers
Low mountains
Small villages
Rice fields
Extremely relaxing.
Driving notes:
Japanese roads are immaculate
Clear English signage
Navigation via Google Maps is flawless
Traffic is very light in this region
Perfect optional stop:
👉 Roadside Michi-no-Eki rest areas
Local produce
Crafts
Bathrooms
Snacks
Highly recommended as a cultural insight.
🏨 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Check In — Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu (recommended)
Why you’ll love it:
Classic + modern style
Larger rooms
Good beds (important after active morning)
Near castle & art museum
Aesthetic decor
Alternative:
Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto (new + stylish)
Kyoubashi Ryokan (traditional)
🌆 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Explore Nakamachi District (Artistic, Craft-Oriented)
This is absolutely your kind of area:
Kurazukuri (old storehouses)
Craft studios
Glass, wood, textile shops
Galleries
Traditional signage
Excellent photography opportunities
Slow, calm walking — very comfortable for your age/energy.
Optional:
Matsumoto Folk Craft Museum if you want more depth.
🍽️ Dinner (6:30 – 8:00 PM)
⭐ Top Recommendation: Matsumoto Brewery Taproom (Food + Craft Beer)
Amazing atmosphere
Casual but delicious
Western-Japanese mix
Comfortable seating
Perfect after a long day
⭐ More refined option:
Kura Restaurant (Nakamachi)
Set in a renovated kura
Modern Japanese dishes
Excellent ambiance
Great for couples
⭐ Traditional option:
Torisho (Yakitori)
Very high-quality chicken skewers
Local favorite
Great sake listing
If you want something simple and comforting
⭐ Comfort option (if tired):
Sanza (Dining alley near station)
Many choices
Easy, casual
Good for variety
My recommendation for you:
➡️ Kura Restaurant or Matsumoto Brewery Taproom depending on your appetite.
🌙 Evening (8:00 – 9:30 PM)
If you have energy:
1. Walk to Matsumoto Castle at night
The castle is beautifully lit — reflections on the moat are spectacular.
2. Onsen bath (if your hotel has one)
Perfect after fishing + driving.
3. Sketch session / journal time
This is a perfect night to sketch textures or scenes from Tsumago and the river.
⭐ DAY 5 SUMMARY (Optimized for You)
This day has:
Nature + river quiet
Photography + art inspiration
Scenic, easy driving
Local food
Cultural depth
Comfortable hotel
A calm evening
Energy Level:
Moderate, very suitable for late 50s.
Expected Steps:
~8,000–10,000 steps total
(Not strenuous)