One of the specialities of Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan is “chimaki”.
To make it, they soak dwarf bamboo leaves in the hot spring water
and cut rush grass
then the owner’s mother
skillfully puts glutinous rice into a leaf
and seal it with rush grass.
After being steamed in the hot spring of Jugokudani, these chimakis turn such a special food that you can never taste anywhere else. Here in Korakukan, chimaki is served on a tea tray for the guests as a refreshment at their room.
People who stop by the inn for bathing or a break can order and eat them as well.
You eat chimaki with plenty of kinako (soy powder).
The owner has been making this kinako since he was a school kid.
Beside the chimaki process, the nemagari bamboo is getting ready to be preserved.
In the kitchen,
hot spring water is pouring out 24 hours into the sink.
I cannot help thinking that blessings of nature here seems so powerful for me, as back at home, I prepare the bath by burning firewood to warm the mountain stream water.
And here at Jigokudani Korakukan, they utilize the blessings very naturally as if the inn itself existed as a part of the nature here.