From Kinoka to Besshi | Walking the “Sky Ruins” at Tōnaru, then bath & sweets at Mine Topia Besshi (Nov 3 · Cloudy)
November 3, cloudy. First, a restroom break and short stroll at Roadside Station “Kinoka”. The mountains were just starting to show fall colors. Then we drove to Mine Topia Besshi for lunch and continued by car to the Tōnaru Zone. On the way back, we soaked at Mine Topia Besshi and wrapped up with the signature dessert at cafe HADEBA.
Kinoka
Map | Roadside Station “Kinoka”
While you’re here, “reset the car” too — 4 small upgrades that make road trips easier
Four in-car items that tidy things up fast
1) Roll-type car trash bags (40 pcs)
- Space-saving roll design that installs anywhere and dispenses easily.
- Disposable and hygienic; works for front or rear seats.
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2) Hanging PU-leather car trash bin
- Clean look with lid to hide contents and odors.
- Hangs on seat back for space saving; waterproof lining handles damp items.
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3) 22,000 mAh power bank
- Enough juice to charge the family’s phones, with battery level indicator for easy management.
- Eliminates battery anxiety when shooting photos/video and using maps.
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4) Auto-hold car phone mount
- Automatic clamp for one-hand attach/detach — smooth for navigation.
- Choose suction or vent mount; easy to place for clear visibility.
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* Prices/stock/specs change. Check the latest details on the product page before purchase. |
Lunch at Mine Topia Besshi
We had oyakodon topped with chicken tempura & hot-spring egg, a seasonal veggie curry, and a pork cutlet bowl inside the facility.
Lunch
Map | Mine Topia Besshi
Tōnaru Zone | 220 steps to the “Sky Ruins”
High elevation means it’s quite cold — bring warm layers. The parking lot is spacious and was lively with visitors. Past a point, the mountain road narrows to about one-car width, so drive carefully. If you’re not confident on mountain roads, consider the guided microbus (about ¥2,200 per person).
Tōnaru
Watch for cold & slick steps at Tōnaru. — Plan ahead for warmth, footing, and camera shake
It feels colder at altitude, and there are 220 steps. If you’ll be shooting photos/videos, the trio of a thin heat-retaining liner glove + grippy waterproof shoes + smartphone gimbal is a smart setup.
Heat-retaining liner gloves (Otafuku Glove)
- Pros: Thin for layering; keeps fingertips warm; easy for driving and camera ops.
- Cons: Limited windproofing by itself — add a shell glove in strong wind/cold.
- Best for: Sightseeing that needs fine hand work (shooting, ticket handling, etc.).
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Anti-slip waterproof sneakers (Arrowmax #112)
- Pros: Waterproof build (approx. 4 cm) and grippy sole inspire confidence on wet steps; light for long walks.
- Cons: Waterproofing can trap heat; check sizing if pairing with thick socks.
- Best for: Long stair climbs or unpaved paths; rainy forecasts.
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Single-axis smartphone gimbal (with LED)
- Pros: Tames horizontal sway in walking shots; doubles as a selfie stick; LED helps brighten faces.
- Cons: As a single-axis unit, it won’t remove vertical bounce or heavy lateral shake; some units are a bit heavy.
- Best for: Vlogging on stairs, group shots, and dusky evening scenes.
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* Check product pages for the latest price/stock/specs. * Links include affiliate codes (rel="nofollow sponsored noopener").
Map | Tōnaru (“Machu Picchu of the East”)
Besshi Onsen “Sora-no-Yu” — time to unwind
There are multiple tubs, including a carbonated bath. The outdoor cool-down area had about 8 reclining loungers (all taken when we visited). It was a bit crowded, but we left feeling great.
Post-bath treat | cafe HADEBA “Soft-serve on Besshi Baum”
Classic combo of vanilla soft-serve + baumkuchen. The soft-serve is gently sweet, the baum’s moist layers add depth bite by bite, and the bittersweet chocolate sauce keeps it interesting to the last spoonful. Menu price shown as ¥650.
* Based on on-site menu/photo. Confirm the latest offering and prices on site.
Dialogue: Dessert
Note: cafe HADEBA is on the 1F of the main Mine Topia Besshi building. Check the official site for hours and current menus.
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