While my mother is having a blast here in Japan, I am learning many things as a beginning host.
Nothing works out as planned, and I have to respond to the unexpected.
Today, we started our journey with plans to visit Amidaga Falls, enjoy lunch at an Ayu restaurant in Gujo Hachiman, and then take a leisurely walk up to Gujo Hachiman Castle. Any additional sights would be a delightful surprise for my mom.
Upon arriving in Gujo Hachiman and parking our car, we set off to find the Ayu restaurant. However, my mother wasn’t in the mood for Ayu and wandered off in search of local food stalls selling seasonal delicacies.
Who was I to stop her? Hiromi and I went ahead and enjoyed our lunch at the Ayu restaurant while my mom explored the area. An hour later, we regrouped at our agreed meeting point to climb up to Gujo Hachiman Castle. When we reunited, my mom was beaming with excitement, presenting her haul of local delicacies—a treasure trove of snacks she was eager to try and share.
Carrying all her findings while hiking to the castle would be a challenge, so we decided to drop off her treasures at the car first. On our way back, however, we couldn’t resist visiting the countless cute little shops that lined the streets of Gujo Hachiman. Its vibrant charm made every corner worth exploring.
Eventually, we made our way up to the castle, relishing the stunning views. But the adventure didn’t end there; on our descent, my mom discovered several temples, pulling us into a series of newfound discoveries. We lost track of time, and when we sought a coffee and gelato break, we found the shops already closed.
As we drove back to Gifu, our craving for coffee led us to make an impromptu stop at a service area in Seki, turning out to be another delightful and unexpected experience for my mother.
I’ve realized something significant while traveling: the most unforgettable experiences often occur unplanned. When nothing goes as expected, it’s perfectly fine, as those moments become the cherished memories we hold closest.
#Japan #TravelDiaries #UnexpectedAdventures #FamilyTravel #GujoHachiman #TravelMemories
Experiences - Life - Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵 
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