Takayama Folk Village and Cult Headquarters

Today started with a trip to the morning markets where you can sample the goodies! We had Hida beef nigiri. We bought an apple and a pear.

Then we headed to the Hida Folk Village. Super views.

Then we visited what was described by our travel agency, Inside Japan, as a cult headquarters:

The place is massive and they are building an even bigger shrine next door. I don’t know where this place gets all it’s money.

There were only 2 other visitors there. A huge koi aquarium inside and lots of red velvet and chandeliers. I couldn’t take pics inside. But outside there was a replica Mexican fountain

They were very nice there and did not try to make us join their cult. And they gave us a couple sips of sake on our way out.

Then we did a Shinto shrine and cemetery

And we visited a museum that had “retro” Japanese goodies from the 60s. highlight: playing vintage pachinko games!!!

Here are some more Takayama pictures. I know this is a pretty lame post but Takayama was a favorite. Great beef, fun shopping, Mountain views, lots of shrines and temples, and my first onsen! Our ryokan has one and its wonderful even if it’s a step below the spa at Caesars Palace. But I mean come on, who beats Caesars?

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OH YES WE DID!

Oh yes we did drive go-carts through Tokyo for 3 hours at night dressed like Mario Brothers without helmets or seatbelts. It was both crazy and crazy fun at the same time. I think we topped 70km/hr which Eric says is about 43mph. I’m sure it was perfectly safe. We drove across rainbow bridge too This is where I ogled the Valentino store in Ginza: And Rainbow Bridge in the background that we drove over... twice:

Burnt Miso Ramen

Let’s get a closer look at this unbelievable ramen from ramendining-gogyo.com, which is across from the US Army Hardy Barracks. This was more pork than I’ve eaten in years. But I loved every minute of it. And here is a square watermelon And we ate an Asian pear. They are in season.

Matsumoto

We left Tokyo and arrived in Matsumoto where there is one of the few surviving wooden Samarai castles called black crow: We climbed to the top of that bad boy and the stairs were super steep. Surprisingly I did not have an anxiety attack coming down. Then we took a soba noodle making class here: Here are my noodles and my favorite drink POCARI SWEAT. We also had burnt miso ramen here DEElish. Matsumoto is the birthplace of Yayoi Kusama (whose Hamilton of the Art world tickets we snagged at the High). The city museum of art had an awesome exhibit which included infinity mirrors but no photo allowed. These are her flowers outside. Her work is incredible. Now taking a bus to Takayama

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