Carte

One of my favourite places in Nozawa Onsen is Le Carte, a gorgeous little coffee shop.  It’s run by a mother and daughter and I think what makes me love it is the wall of books.  People just grab a book to read while they drink their coffee.  I think that’s awesome!  Although of course, all the books are in Japanese.  But that’s okay, I bring my own.

It also has the only pool table in town – filled with a massive collection of chopstick holders and covered in glass – much to the disgust of Luke.  There’s also a collection of old tea tins over the counter.

And the hot cocoa.  Wow.  It’s wonderful, full of buttery goodness.  I’m similarly in love with the New York Cheesecake.  I really need to get a recipe for that.

So yes.  That’s where you’ll find me, more often than is probably reasonable.