After wandering up to the morning markets in an attempt to find something for breakfast, we managed to find a great little coffee just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. Coffee or hot chocolate and 2 Danishes for about 500 yen ($5). Yum.
We were then off to Shirakawa-go, a small 16th century village, high in the Japanese Alps, which has been retained as original. It’s a real village, not a recreation, so some of the potential photos are interrupted with modern cars driving past. Some original houses are open as museums, so you can see how they were set up 500 years ago. The houses are steep roofed A-frame buildings, 4 floors and housed up to 30 people.
Back in Takayama we further explored the San-machi area and Takayama jinya – the 17th century government building – and found a geocache on the site of the old castle.
Dinner was another great find. We went searching for the Holy Grail. Turns out it’s an Italian restaurant just around the corner from the hotel. Great food – although you wouldn’t find it without the help of the trusty ‘Lonely Planet’.
A short night walk through the san-machi for some photos completed a great day.
More great photos, such a contrast with China, and the Disneyland trip sounded pretty full on. Domino is pleased with the smell update and still seems happy with the hospitality on offer – he keeps appearing at the window as I type. Really enjoying the armchair travelling. Laurinda
The photos just keep getting better and better and the descriptive commentary just adds so much to our travels with you.
Love and hugs to everyone.