Long before I heard about the most delicious water melon in Japan. It was not about a story in a farm village in a countryside or even fruit served in a luxury restaurant. That water melon is served and only experienced at a mountain lodge called "Kassen Goya", a war battle house. "Kassen Goya" is located on one of the ridges deep in the mountain path leading to the peak of Mt. Swallow. Because of such a reputation of extremely delicious water melons, it is said that hundreds of people risk to climb that mountain's steep mountain path with elevation difference of about 1000 meters during every summer season. I know a couple of wonderful water melons in Japan, one in Niigata Prefecture (Yairo Water Melon), another in Nagano Prefecture (Shimoppara Water melon). However I would like to try that extremely popular and delicious one. Let's go there!
Early in the morning, I arrived at Hodaka Station in Nagano prefecture. A little cloudy in the sky. Of course, with Brompton.
Buses leave the station to Nakabusa Onsen where that mountain path starts. A bus was fully packed with climbers like this. No space any more. Probably it was because of recent popularity in mountain hiking but I wondered if a half of them wanted to eat that famous water melon.
A bus was getting through a narrow cliff road toward the end of Nakabusa Valley. After about an hour the bus arrived. No more road for vehicles. Even Brompton can't. Its's time to use your own foot to go on. Water melons are waiting to be cut and eaten.
There was already a line. How come those people hurry this early in the morning? Maybe water melon's attraction?
The mountain path was extremely steep. A lot of people needed to take a rest. Me? No, I continued to walk (run) toward slices of water melon.
In the middle of the way, suddenly beautiful scenery appeared in front of us.
Weather is improving quickly.
Two and half hours later, I arrived at "Kassen Goya" at the elevation of 2,350 meters.
Look! People have rushed into the water melon vendor.
Water melons were floating and cooled for service.
I bought slices. What a wonderful and dreaming taste it was!
After a water melon treatment, I decided to continue climbing to the ridge of over 2,700 meters to see another side of the mountain range called Japan North Alps. 15 minutes after departing Kassen Goya, "Enzanso" Lodge was seen from the mountain path. The lodge was located at the ridge of Mt. Swallow.
Beside the way, there are a lot of beautiful high land flowers blooming.
Finally reached the ridge.
See this wonderful view of Japan's Alps! You should come if you have an opportunity.
This is Mt. Swallow from Enzanso Lodge location. Are you able to see four, five climbers jumping and waving on the top of Mt. Swallow? (you can enlarge a picture with high resolution.)
Slices of water melon and this dynamic panorama made me so happy.
The hot spring was gushing out a lot here and quality is fresh, good smell and expected good curing effect on mustle fatigue.
It was a nice day trip in the weekend to fix my jet lag after coming back from the BWC in London last week.
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