Hosokute to Ena

On day 2, we hiked from Hosokute to Ena. The trip was 22 km and took about 7 hours.

Shortly after leaving Hosokute, we had a view of Mt. Ontake from the trail. Mt. Ontake is the 2nd highest volcano in Japan at 3067 m and recently erupted on 9/27/2014.

The morning hike took us through woods and it was mainly shaded. Portions were paved with Ishidatami--paving stones to help travelers up the steep passes. 

The trail took us through the center of Okute--the next post town. It was 2 1/2 hours from Hosokute. 

In Okute, we passed a giant cedar tree that was 1200 years old and venerated as a Shinto god.

Everyone seemed to be eating these gohei-mochi, sticky rice dipped with miso on a stick.

There was 1 store in Okute but there was not much there—we bought banana, butter cookies and a Coke from a vending machine. We found a picnic table in the woods just an hour outside of town and had our lunch.

For much of the walk in the afternoon, the Nakasendo reverted to footpath. There was a combination of shade & sun so it was a very pleasant walk. 

We were surprised to encounter a golf course. 

On the way into Ena. Ena was a good sized town, with about 50,000 people and there were hotels that could be booked online. 

We chose the Hotel Route Inn. I reserved it at booking.com and a double cost Y12,650, including breakfast. The hotel had self-laundry facility: Y200 for wash & Y200 for 1 hour of drying. There was also a public bath, which I enjoyed while waiting for my wash to finish.

Ena had many restaurant options. We chose dinner at Sagami, a family restaurant just a short walk from the hotel. These meals cost Y1500 each and had the best chawanmushi (savory egg custard).

My husband was still hungry after his dinner at Sagami and he stopped at McDonald's to fill up. I must admit the french fries really hit the spot.

The next day, we had breakfast at the hotel. It was a buffet and there were both Japanese & Western options.

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