My company decided, pretty much by decree, to hold our year-end party at an onsen ryokan. A bit pricey -_- but anyway… you get a hot spring bath and good food, so there’s nothing to complain about.
The garden seen from our room
The room was Western-style. Probably because it was one of the cheaper rooms. Lots of groups come here for banquets like we did, so it was pretty crowded when we arrived.
Salad
Even on a casual salad plate, the fish is fresh.
The table setting
There’s an aperitif and all sorts of little things. The beer is Kirin.
Tofu
Tasty.
Our two attendants taking care of us for the meal
They looked after us really well. Thanks to them we could relax and enjoy the party.
Starter
A clean taste.
Duck nabe
Loaded with clean-tasting fat, just the thing for winter.
Sashimi
Banquet food or not, the freshness is good.
Plum wine bought at the shop
They said it’s made by Toyonoaki, so I picked one up. Unusually, it has sake in it, which is probably why it’s so smooth. Still sweet, though.
Yellowtail
This one was just so-so…
Nimono (simmered dish)
This one was so-so too…
Wagyu tomato stew
This was really good. It lives up to Minami’s reputation.
Today’s wine
I have more wine at home than I can drink, so I brought a bottle along for the occasion. It was pretty good that day. Too bad the glasses weren’t great…
Finally, the rice comes out.
In Japan or in Korea, a meal isn’t over until the carbs show up…
Dessert was ready too.
The thing at the top left isn’t ice cream, it’s cake.
A proper formal meal, and I ate well right to the end. After the party I soaked in the hot spring for a bit and went straight to bed. No internet, and my iPhone battery had died, so there wasn’t much else to do. Next time I should come better prepared… Or rather, before that, I should come with a girlfriend instead of for a company party.