Autumn is here, which means one thing: matsutake season. So while daydreaming about the free-spirited life I’ll have after FIRE, I decided to “technically” call this a scouting trip and put together a Nagano drive plan.
I actually love making travel plans. I’ll create an overstuffed itinerary with backup options, emergency cuts, “if we’re lucky” stops, and “if the universe aligns” detours. And most of the time, I end up carrying half the plan over to the next trip. This time, I figured I’d share a bit of that planning chaos.
I haven’t FIRE’d yet, but in my head I’m already living the “ridiculously free holiday” life. Honestly, even imagining it pairs well with a drink.
We’re meeting at a station in Tokyo and heading out. The goal: a matsutake lunch at the scenic viewpoint. The route leading there? Let’s just say it’s ambitious enough to make me slightly question my own judgment.
Morning Meetup and Departure
We decided “any Tokyo station is fine,” but choosing a pickup spot already became a debate. Eventually, we settled on a midpoint with my friend. (I’m usually the one who drives when we go out.)
Meetup at 7:30 AM. Compared to my usual hobby-related wake-up times, this is practically luxury. We’re calling it a trip, so I scheduled a slower start.
Morning Stops We Want to Hit
Quick Break at Yokokawa SA
“峠の釜めし”… Will there already be a line in the morning? Well, if we go early, we might survive it.
Tomioka Silk Mill
During the scouting phase, I found out the sweet spot is around 9:45–11:00. Would love to avoid crowds, but if traffic gets rough… we just surrender to fate.
Konnyaku Park
If we can’t make it in the morning, maybe we’ll stop by on the way back. Factory tour + buffet. And the samples are free. (Important.)
Roadside Stations (If Time Allows)
This one depends entirely on luck. If we somehow have extra time, we’ll stop by. If not, it becomes a “the universe said no” stop.
…Is the morning a bit stuffed? Yes. But it’s a scouting trip, so who cares. Overplanning is half the fun.
Matsutake Lunch and Afternoon Sightseeing
Matsutake Lunch at the Scenic Viewpoint (Main Event)
At that point, it’s less about the flavor and more about the “We actually made it here!” achievement.
Ueda Castle Ruins Park
The autumn colors will probably be early, but the historical vibe is always solid.
Unno-juku
Old town stroll + souvenirs. Not sure if there will be time, but this is another “if lucky” slot.
Evening: Chasing Views and Autumn Colors
Utsukushigahara Highlands
This is the day’s highlight. Since it’s higher altitude, the leaves are supposedly just starting to turn around early October. A little far, so it might be tough—but it stays on the “maybe” list.
Roadside Station Utsukushigahara
Autumn scenery + a break. The evening light turns everything gold, which is exactly what we’re aiming for.
The Eternal Question: What About Hot Springs?
Inside Ueda City (Bessho Onsen / Aisome-no-Yu)
Safe for a day trip and not too exhausting.
Can We Actually Do All of This?
Honestly… the itinerary is packed tighter than a commuter train.
- Morning: Silk Mill + Konnyaku Park + Yokokawa SA
- Afternoon: Matsutake → Ueda Castle → Unno-juku → Utsukushigahara
“Can we do it all?” → We’ll find out when we get there.
But honestly, this planning phase itself—imagining routes, timing, possibilities—is already good rehab for the “free adult weekend” lifestyle I’m aiming for.
💡 Tips & Useful Info
- Yokokawa SA’s famous kamameshi gets crowded even in the morning. Ideally arrive around 8:30.
- Tomioka Silk Mill opens at 9:00; early entry helps avoid the crowds.
- Utsukushigahara is around 2,000m elevation; around October 6th, leaves start turning. Clear skies = spectacular.
👉 Click here for the “Before Execution” chapter
👉 Click here for the “After Execution” chapter
Disclaimer
I’m not fluent in English, but I really wanted to share this story. So I tried my best using translation tools to write this post. If you find anything that sounds strange, unnatural, or offensive, please let me know in the comments. I’ll check it carefully, translate your feedback, and fix it. Thank you for reading!
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