Finally, the Golden Week in May has arrived. After several years, we have a long holiday without any restrictions. Personally, I haven’t been too concerned about COVID and have been going about my activities. However, this time, I have a strong feeling that the general public will also embark on a massive migration.
With the expectation that the peak of highway congestion will occur on May 3rd, we have decided to depart on the evening of May 2nd in order to avoid it. However, despite being prepared for some level of congestion, there is already heavier traffic than anticipated, even in the late hours of the night.
Even in the late hours of the night, the Chuo Expressway, which was already congested, flowed smoothly by the time we passed through the Sasago Tunnel. As the hands of the clock were about to change the date, we decided to take a rest at the Shakado Parking Area (PA).
The next morning, we hurriedly left the early morning Shakado PA and merged onto the main route. Setting the cruise control, the drive to Ina Interchange (IC) was mostly taken care of by the car itself. This cruise control is truly convenient as it automatically maintains the distance to the preceding vehicle and keeps the car within the lane. It greatly enhances the comfort of traveling, especially on the highways.
A BMW heading towards the Hida Takayama area, bidding farewell to the expressway at Ina Interchange (IC) on the Chuo Expressway, and taking the route through the Gonbei Tunnel on Route 361. When aiming for the Japan Sea from the Kanto region, it may be customary to travel quickly on the highways, but that is simply uninteresting. After all, the Hida Takayama area is my beloved destination, and I want to explore it to the fullest extent possible.
For this trip, I’m thinking of taking a leisurely drive along the Japan Sea side, around areas like Toyama and Niigata. First, I’m aiming for Toyama Prefecture, and since I have the opportunity, I thought it would be great to pass through the Hida area along the way.
The Route 361, which leads to Hida, is a familiar route that I have driven many times before. Whenever I head towards the Hida Takayama area, I always take this road, and no matter how many times I drive it, I never get tired of it. With its moderate winding roads surrounded by mountains, ample width with center lines, and even during the extended holiday period, very low traffic volume, there’s no reason not to love it.
However, around the area of Kaida Kogen, there is a section called Kuzo Pass where the road width narrows a bit. Because of that, I prefer to take a detour in that particular area. The road becomes narrow, and the visibility is not great, so it’s not enjoyable and requires extra concentration. However, there is an observation deck along the way where you can get a good view of Mount Ontake, so it might be worth visiting at least once. Although, well, you can still see Mount Ontake from the detour route as well.
I’m starting to feel quite hungry. As for what to have for lunch… there’s no need to think about it! I’ve already made up my mind about what I want to eat. In the past, it was all about “Hida beef! Hida beef!” when it came to Hida, but recently I’ve become obsessed with “kei-chan”. This time, I’ve decided to indulge in some kei-chan at the Hida Asahi-mura Roadside Station!
The roadside station’s dining area is already open for business. It’s still only 11 AM, and there are no other customers in sight. There’s no reason not to go in. Let’s enter!
I quickly find a suitable seat and waste no time in placing my order: the kei-chan Yaki Set. After a short wait, the sizzling hot kei-chan Yaki Set is served on a sizzling hot iron plate, producing a delightful sound that entices the taste buds. The aroma stimulates the appetite. However, something feels different…
There’s no smell of garlic!
My beloved “Kei-chan” was supposed to be filled with an aggressively strong garlic aroma. It seems like this one doesn’t have any garlic in it. But it’s still too early to be disappointed. I won’t know until I try it.
…Delicious, it certainly is delicious. However, it feels lacking. Without the garlic, something is missing. If I had tried this for the first time, I might not have had any complaints, but I still can’t seem to be satisfied.
In that case, I crave a garlic-infused “Kei-chan,” but I’ll have to save that for another opportunity.
To head towards the Sea of Japan from the Hida area surrounded by mountains, one must head north in a straight shot. Starting from the Hida Asahi-mura Roadside Station, I drive north and speed along the Hida Farm Road. Most cars continue on the national highway, so this stretch ahead is practically deserted. It’s always like this no matter when I come, making it a recommended driving route. However, it’s a bit of a drawback that there are hardly any places to park the car and enjoy the scenery.
After enjoying a thrilling ride along the Hida Farm Road, I decide to peacefully follow the flow of the national highway towards the Sea of Japan. The usual route is to take Route 41 towards Toyama, but I opt for a shortcut using Route 360. This route not only has less traffic but also avoids narrow sections that seem to deter trucks from using it. As a result, I can comfortably drive through magnificent scenery, making it a personal favorite route of mine.
As I leisurely drive my BMW, going with the flow of the road, the signage for Toyama Kitokito Airport comes into view. I’ve been driving for a while now, and I’m starting to feel a bit tired, so I decide to take a little break. I hope to grab a cup of coffee and recharge. It’s a slight detour to Toyama Kitokito Airport, but I’m looking forward to it.
The parking lot here seems to have a paid section close to the terminal, but the rest is generally free. There’s no need to park right in front, so I can just park my BMW in the free area and walk. The regional airport has a relaxed atmosphere that’s different from Haneda or Narita, and it has its own charm.
There was something called “Toyama Black cider” on the café’s menu, so I decided to give it a try. It was decently tasty. I was expecting a more adventurous flavor, but it’s quite drinkable.
I’m feeling quite tired, though. I’ll quickly head to the hotel and check-in early. I really want to get some rest…
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