Itoen Powdered Green Tea with Matcha | Review by 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人

Speaking of Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory, I first tried it when a friend brought it back from Japan as a souvenir, and I immediately fell in love with its light texture. The outer cake is fluffy and soft, paired with a smooth cheese cream filling that has a rich milky flavor. It's sweet but not too heavy, making it hard to stop after just one bite.

What makes it special is that they also release limited-edition flavors for different seasons, so there's always a new surprise each time I visit. It has now become a popular souvenir that I always pick up a few boxes of at the airport duty-free shop before flying home. If you also like desserts that are rich yet refreshing, this one is definitely worth trying.

After taking the ropeway up to the observation deck, I unexpectedly found this cozy CAFÉ GOKAN while waiting for the clouds to clear. Despite the chilly outdoor air, as an ice cream lover, of course I had to do as the locals do and get some Japanese soft serve.

I ordered their special matcha soft serve, topped with a decorative cookie printed with the character “頂,” which looked especially eye-catching and fun. After buying it, I took it outside to enjoy on the observation deck. Eating ice cream in the cold weather was incredibly satisfying because I didn’t have to worry about it melting and could take my time savoring it. So I enjoyed the rich soft serve while quietly waiting for the clouds and mist to gradually clear, taking in the magnificent snowy mountain scenery. This unique experience in the cold turned out to be enjoyable in its own special way, and I still miss it.

After taking the ropeway all the way to the final station, you’ll arrive at this beautiful Summit Forest observation deck. Looking out from high above, you can see the magnificent snow-covered mountain ranges in the distance. When I first arrived, the peaks were shrouded in clouds and mist, and the Yarigatake and Hotaka mountain ranges across the way were still hidden behind a veil, so I patiently sat on a bench and quietly waited.

Unexpectedly, after a while the clouds parted and the sun came out, and I was lucky enough to capture the breathtaking moment when the majestic peaks suddenly appeared. The spectacular scenery really reminded me of how moved I felt when seeing Mont Blanc in Chamonix, France. Standing among the towering mountains, I suddenly felt so small in the face of nature. Surrounded by pure white snow, it felt as if I were the only person left in the entire world. I really enjoyed the peace and sense of vastness far away from the hustle and bustle, quietly savoring this time alone.