Hottokeya Hot Springs Entrance
Come to think of it, I see this place on travel shows occasionally.
It is a famous hot spring.
Particularly for opening early and letting you watch the sunrise from the baths.
The sunrise, huh?
That sounds nice.
The shower's so warm.
Aoi-chan, let's go to the outdoor baths.
Yeah, let's go.
Another forty kilometers.
Maybe this was too ambitious right after I got my license.
It's cold.
Nadeshiko said she was going to take a bath in the hot springs.
Hot springs...
I'm totally going to hit the hot springs when I get there.
Hot springs... Hot springs...
Hot springs!
It's such a nice view.
Episode 5 Two Camps, Two Campers' Views
I know.
Hot springs are so nice in the winter.
Aki-chan, how much farther is it to the campgrounds?
I think about a kilometer.
I told the manager that we'd be there after noon.
We have plenty of time to relax.
Okay.
Oh, no, that's the devil on your shoulder talking.
I wonder what Rin-chan's up to about now.
Cold!
Current Temperature
I'm in heaven.
Restrooms
That was a good bath.
I'm too hot for my sweater.
White Peach Soft Serve
Mildly Sweet Milk Soft Serve
Looks like you can eat here, too.
You're right.
I'm going to have tsukimi soba.
I'm having tsukimi udon.
I'm having...
Wait, we won't be able to eat camp food if we eat here!
The hot spring was so nice, it shut off our brains.
For sure.
Beware the hot spring.
The fried hot spring eggs are good.
Buy some, please?
Let's just buy some fried hot spring eggs.
Yeah!
Let's dig in!
Yum!
It's just a deep-fried egg. How is it so good?
The yolk is so melty.
This stuff is devastating to have right out of a bath.
Yeah, devastating.
Devastating.
Just devastating.
Yatsugatake-Chushin Quasi-National Park Takabotchi Highlands
I'm finally here.
A super awesome vista known to few:
Takabotchi Highlands.
Apparently, from the peak, you can see Matsumoto City,
Lake Suwa, and Mount Fuji all together.
All right.
Nine kilometers to the top.
I made it.
I rode 150 kilometers!
I'm beat!
It's so peaceful.
There's nothing here.
I wonder if there are cows or anything during the summer.
So cold...
Now, then...
Let's head to the hot springs.
It's supposed to be up ahead.
Takabotchi Mineral Springs
Yet another six kilometers...
Damn it!
Hi-yah!
Whoa, close one.
Hot springs, hot springs, hot springs!
Outdoor Baths Resting Spots
Takabotchi Mineral Springs
Overnight or For the Day
Natural Baths Banquets
I'm here! The hot springs!
Clothes, towel...
I'm going to take a bath and soothe my cold, exhausted body.
We are closed as of October.
-Takabotchi Hot Springs
Dude, seriously?
Hot... springs...
Hot springs...
Takabotchi Highlands Quasi-National Park
Alps Panorama Lookout
Matsumoto City.
I can't see a thing through the clouds.
Talk about adding insult to injury.
Sniffle...
I guess I might as well climb.
Going up Mount Takabotchi by myself...
I can't go to the hot springs, I can't see the view...
Maybe I should have just camped near home.
Yatsugatake-Chushin Quasi-National Park Mt. Takabotchi
The peak is pretty close.
Hey, the view's perfect from here.
It's so pretty.
I can find a hot spring on my way home.
But right now, I'm going to make some nice, warm camp food!
Now, then... where should I cook?
It's still too early to go to the campgrounds.
The vending machine's dead.
Should I do it here?
Nah, let's look around a little more.
There's a ranch over here.
I like this place.
Let's set up the chair and table first.
There.
I'll start with something simple.
Beginner's Outdoor Grub
Tonight's meal is a soup-style pasta that can be made with a single camping pot.
It leaves no extra broth, making it ideal for camping and hiking.
Onions
Bacon
Asparagus
Shimeji Mushrooms
Pre-chop the ingredients at home,
then fry them in oil and garlic paste.
Mix in 150 milliliters of water
along with a cube of consommé, and bring to a boil.
Break the pasta in half so that it fits, and throw it in the pot.
The boiling point is lower at high altitudes,
often leaving it undercooked at the center.
In those situations, use thinner noodles.
The pasta will soak up most of the water in the pot.
At that point, add 200 milliliters of milk and two pieces of sliced cheese,
and boil it for a little longer.
Top with black pepper and parsley, and you're done.
I did it.
My first proper camp meal.
Time to eat.
Yum.
Soup-style pasta on Mount Takabotchi.
Yum.
Rin-chan made soup-style pasta, huh?
It looks good.
Aki-chan, Aoi-chan! It's past four!
We totally overslept!
Devastating.
Totally devastating.
Hey, Aki, is this really the right way?
We've been going downhill.
The map says so, but...
I'm afraid of dark forests.
That's, like, every forest campsite.
Hey, I think that's it.
Eastwood Ca
...mpgrounds?
Yeah... mpgrounds.
Sorry we're late.
No problem.
Your checkout time is tomorrow at noon.
I'll bring you water later.
He's wearing a samue.
Classy.
Isn't he cold?
Eastwood Camp Garden
The manager's living space is so nice, though.
Can you believe it?
I want to retire here.
We have to think about what we're doing after high school first.
Hey, Aki-chan, where are we setting up the tent?
Over here.
I reserved a nice spot.
Here we are!
This is great!
I thought the view would be better a bit higher up,
so I chose the second floor.
Okay, let's set up our tent before it gets dark.
Yeah!
Done!
Should I leave your water here?
Sure, thank you.
That's your drinking water and a watering can for putting out the fire.
Be sure to put out the fire completely with water before you go to sleep.
And you're free to use the firewood as you like,
but it's not a bonfire, so don't make a mess.
Oh, yeah!
Since we have these, we should make Swedish torches!
Swedish torches?
A Swedish torch is where
you make cuts in a log, fill it with kindling,
and then burn it like a candle.
They're also called Canadian candles or lumberjack candles.
Just tie the firewood together, stuff in kindling, and...
There!
It has a different feel from normal campfires.
I like it.
You can even put a pot on top to cook with.
That's amazing.
Although it'll end up black with soot like the Outclub's pots.
Oh, yeah.
I wonder why watching a campfire is so relaxing.
Yeah...
That scared me!
What just happened?
It's actually a thin aluminum wire.
The heat made it snap.
See?!
I told you we shouldn't put a pot on it!
What do you mean, "See?!"
UFO Encounter Files
Yokosuka Navy Curry
All right, let's make dinner!
Potato
Carrot
Onion
Okra
Eggplant
Garlic
Pork
Pre-chop and fry the ingredients at home without batter,
then toss them in hot water with the curry roux.
It's not your ordinary curry. It's stewed curry!
So it is curry.
It looks good!
Time to eat!
It's good!
It's really good.
Eating outdoors with a beautiful view...
It's what makes camping so fun.
It's good, but it has an interesting flavor.
I'm glad you noticed.
Ta-da!
The secret ingredient is tonkotsu ramen stock.
So it's like the tonkotsu curry you get at ramen shops.
Yeah.
I make this a lot using leftover soup powder.
It's too salty by itself, so I dilute it with flour and water.
So it's transformed curry.
My family puts leftover meat and potatoes into curry the next day.
Mine does oden curry.
Oden?
The Japanese-style dashi goes really well with it.
It has beef tendon in it, too.
I'll try that out next time.
Soft Marshmallows
This tent's tiny!
I don't think it'll fit more than two of us.
But it's kind of lonely sleeping alone.
Yeah...
Okay, let's make it fair.
Rock, paper, scissors!
Sniff...
Oh, yeah... I wonder what Rin-chan's up to.
Rin-chan, are you still up?
No.
That was fast!
How are things over there?
Super cold. I'm a caterpillar right now.
I'm a caterpillar right now, too.
Winter sleeping bags are so warm.
Put a pocket warmer at your feet. It's even warmer.
Really? I'll try it!
Pocket warmer, pocket warmer...
So I went to the hot springs, and they were out of business...
Oh...
I'm so going to the hot springs tomorrow!
Legit, I am!
Legit don't give up, Rin-chan!
The stars and night view here are amazing.
Night view, huh?
Rin-chan, stay up for a bit longer.
Hmm? 'Kay.
Aki-chan, Aoi-chan, are you asleep?
They're asleep.
Oh, well.
I'll go by myself.
I'm so scared...
I'm past the dark part.
I have to hurry. I'm keeping Rin-chan waiting.
I'm here.
Okay.
Finally.
What does she want?
One sec
So cold...
In return
Thanks!
It's so pretty.
Room Camp
Room Camp!
That Outclub camping trip was so much fun.
It was.
Look, look!
I had my sister print these out so we could see our camping memories right away!
We're going to post these up on the club room wall!
Good idea!
I started by posting the photos from Fumoto Campgrounds.
Huh?
Where did you put them?
Over there!
Let's take lots and post them all up!
She wants to cover the whole wall from end to end...
Next Episode:
Meat and Fall Colors and the Mystery Lake
Outdoor Activities Club
When camping...
Always mind the campsite and facility rules. Don't forget to take care of fires and your trash!
It gets cold during the winter. Stay warm and be well-prepared!