Takayama - beware of bears

Today we took a bus through the mountains, over streams and through tunnels to Takayama. The ride looked a bit like this but better

We ate Hida beef for lunch which we grilled ourselves on our little grill. Hida beef is of similar caliber to Wagyu. Delicious. The cook came over saying “Atlanta, Atlanta” because Eric was wearing a Braves Jersey. Then he talked about how great John Smoltz was and this immediately became my favorite restaurant.

Then we walked through Shiroyama Park to see the castle ruins and Shorenji Temple. It was really a 45 minute uphill battle. Eric promised me a day of shopping if I climbed it. Even though I knew he’d only give me a little shopping, I went along. I was especially excited when I saw the “watch out for bears” sign. Brilliant. But the trail lead to some awesome views

Tomorrow we are going to visit this massive cult religious center.

Then Eric did allow me some shopping in the Old town. We went into a gourmet food shop which Eric declared it his favorite. They had lots of samples.

And here is the slightly scary, slightly cute mascot of Takayama

Tonight we stay in a traditional Japanese inn called a ryokan. It’s like a futon and breakfast with delicious dinner too. And we get robes and slippers and an onsen.

Comments

Kyoto is Crowded

Let’s start with dinner last night in Kanazawa. We hit the Taito arcade afterwards and played some more drum game! They didn’t have Flip the table game. We played a new game that resembles my favorite coin game at Dave and Busters where you have to knock the coins off the ledge. Only with this game, you had to knock candy off the ledge and after about $10 we scored this booty: Eric claims the ones above were gum but I thought they were marshmallows so I swallowed them. At noon we arrived in Kyoto and munched on squid, scallops, crab and chestnut mochi at Nishiki Market. Even though we have been to about 4 markets already, this one was still different and fascinating. Lots of “no photo” signs though. Then we went to Tofuku-ji Buddhist temple Then the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine with the famous orange gates you see in every pic of Kyoto. What you don’t see in every pic is the massive crowd there. And of course everyone is trying to take a p...

More public bathroom awesomeness

I never thought I’d write so much about bathrooms; but I never knew how awesome bathrooms could be until Japan. Japanese toilets usually have a “sound” feature. Sometimes this feature automatically turns on when you sit down. The toilet plays loud water fountain white noise so that no one can hear you make bodily noises, like peeing and farting! Genius. And I saw this gem of a PSA in a stall: No toilet for long time!

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...

Japan

Search This Blog