After conquering Mt Fuji, we took a 12 hour trip via bus, bus, bus, bullet-train, and train to Takayama. When we arrived, it started to sink in that I was actually in Japan. The architecture was no longer ultra modern, but very traditional in style and material. The streets were narrow and quiet; we wondered all over the place in the rain, saw a huge worm and the beginnings of the Japan Alps.
I was surprised by the inward nature of the buildings, most had windows facing the street but nearly all were covered by the ubiquitous paper/wood framed shade. It was very rare you would be able to see the interior space, even in sudo-public places like restaurants. We were never sure if we were allowed to enter, but eventually we got used to ducking our heads in and venturing an enthusiastic
"konnichiwa"!
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| Typical (and totally awesome!) street facade in Takayama |
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| Over the hill - the back side of Takayama |
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| It was pouring! We loved it though, cooled off about 10 degrees |
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Ryokan with traditional Japanese breakfast served in the morning.
Menu includes: Salmon, white rice, miso soup, Hoba miso cooked
on a magnolia leave, and steamed vegetables |
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| Old Sake brewery |
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Interior - raised tatami mats with hearth for cooking. Rooms for entertaining are surrounding this space.
To enter the tatami mat area, you must remove your shoes. Don't forget! |
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| Sleeping room with garden and exterior hallway connecting the spaces. |
On to Shirakawa-go, a town of thatched roofs! Sooo sooo sooo cool!!
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| the classic photograph |
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| Open air museum where you can tour the buildings and walk in the roofs |
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| 1 meter thick roofs are made of bamboo, tied together with rope, and layered to insulate and withstand heavy snowfall in the winter months. |
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| So happy to be here! |
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| Super delicious meal - cook the beef in broth and season with hoba miso |
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| Super impressive concrete pedestrian bridge to Skirakawa-go |
Stay tuned - I will post about Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Tokyo soon!
