Adventures in Gifu Day 1 The Northern Alps and the Best Hot Springs in Japan - Traveling on a Dime

View the Playlist of all the Traveling on a Dime Episodes at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBkniXrs2bk&feature=share&list=PL2asu6bhj2yvbw6VTt0krGhlK6CX57m4P&index=1 Welcome to Japan! The most mountainous country in the world. Mt. Fuji is just a small, albeit well known, part of the picture. The Hida Mountains (Northern Japanese Alps) straddle the boarders of Nagano, Gifu, Niigata and Toyama Prefectures and run all the way to the Sea of Japan, and they are some of the most glorious peaks you'll ever clap eyes on. What's more, bagging yourself one of those mountains (some of which rise to over 10,000 feet in elevation) is not overly difficult. If you make your way to the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway in Gifu Prefecture (the longest aerial tram in Asia), you'll be able to ride the gondola all the way up onto the spine of those peaks and cut 1000 vertical meters off of any climb you make, or get yourself an effort free panorama view of the peaks of the Northern Alps. Come in the fall and you'll be able to experience one of the most spectacular displays of autumn leaves Japan has to offer. Once you're done soaking in the scenes from on high, come for a soak in the best hot springs I've yet found in Japan. The Yarimi no Yu is a pool of authentic hot spring water straight from the source constructed on the banks of a river against a small cliff. From its clear blue waters one can take in the snow-covered peaks of the Hida Mountains, the forested lower slopes, and the river in one sweep of the head. Being on the river bank you have the chance at a little bit of cold water and, in the winter time, snowball shenanigans to make your soak that much more enjoyable. I've claimed to have found the best hot springs in Japan before and when I do it again it means I'll have found a place even better than this stunning locale. Happy Travels! Bryan is an expat English teacher, published writer and aspiring producer living in Niigata Japan. When he isn't writing articles for Japanese publications in English, he likes to spend his modest earnings to find inexpensive ways to travel and experience Japan. Traveling on a Dime is a periodic show of Bryan's adventures in one of the most expensive countries in the world. As he says, "It doesn't have to be expensive, and you can have an amazing experience even when traveling on a dime." More Japan traveling videos will be coming so subscribe to Grinning Studios for Japan Adventure updates! This is an episode of "Traveling on a Dime," produced by Grinning Studios' partner, Bryan Baier. The music is "Somethin's Missin'," by Graham Smith on his self titled album. You can pick up this great music from our favorite local musician at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/grahamsmith49 or on iTunes. We have full permission to use the music in the video. Thanks for watching. If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger. Stay Creative, It's Good For You. https://www.facebook.com/TravelingOnADime The show's Facebook page. http://grinningstudio.blogspot.com The blog. https://twitter.com/GrinningStudio Follow me on twitter. https://www.facebook.com/GrinningStudio Follow me on Facebook.