FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Shirakawa-go

April 7, 2018 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Shirakawa-go

This quaint mountain village…

…famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses…

…with rice fields & a river running through it…

…was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995.

Gassho-zukuri means “constructed like hands in prayer”…

…as the farmhouses’ steep thatched roofs…

…resemble the hands of Buddhist monks…

…pressed together in prayer.

Myozen-ji Temple Grounds

The architectural style developed over many generations…

…is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow…

…that falls in the region during winter.

The roofs made without nails..

…. provided a large attic space…

…used for cultivating silkworms.

Just Beginning to Blossom

FUN-fact – They have survived for more than 300 years or so because firewood is burned indoors every day, which fumigates the roof with smoke, kills pests, and has a preservative effect. Constructed without using even a single nail, these houses are distinctive for being built entirely of natural materials.

Filed under: FUN-travel
Tagged: Cherry Blossoms, Japan, Shirakawa-go

FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Takayama

April 6, 2018 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Takayama

Takayama…

…with its picturesque mountain location…

…cold weather…

…top quality rice…

…& pure mountain water…

…produces some of the best-tasting sake in Japan.

This area has been famous…

…for its sake production…

…for over 400 years…

…with around 56 breweries at one time…

…during the Edo Period.

Sake Tasting…

…for only 300 yen…

…about $3 US dollars…

…will you get an ochoko (ceramic sake cup)…

…and 12 different samplings from the fridge!

Cherry Blossoms bloom a bit later here because of the higher elevation & cooler temperatures.

Kokubunji-Temple…

…historic Hindu temple…

…with a Triple Pagoda…

…& Bell Tower Gates…

…said to have been moved from Takayama Castle…

…is the cornerstone of the pagoda…

…built over 1200 years ago.

Main temple building…

…is oldest structure in the city…

…constructed about 500 years ago…

…hailed as Hida’s greatest ancient temple.

FUN-fact – Almost every toilet in Japan is a Toto with a heated seat and bidet feature. Seriously! Even on the trains!

Filed under: FUN-travel
Tagged: Cherry Blossoms, Japan, Takayama

FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Tokyo to Takayama

April 5, 2018 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Tokyo to Takayama

Big FIRST today…
Sanmachi Suji

…made our way to Tokyo Central Train station…

…maneuvered through the hoards of people…

…managed to find our platform…

…and boarded our bullet train…

…ALL BY OURSELVES!

Then arrived Nagoya station…

…with only 11 minutes to make connecting train…

…& having to change platforms …

…with the help of a lovely Japanese man…

…we did it!

Sanmachi Suji…

…Takayama’s old town…

…is a collection of three narrow lanes…

…that has been beautifully preserved…

…with many buildings & houses…

…dating from the Edo Period (1600-1868)…

…when the city thrived as a wealthy town of merchants.

Today’s Japanese Adventure…

…staying at a Ryokan and…

…having traditional Japanese dinner in our room.

Cherry Blossoms Just Now Opening Here

FUN-fact – The weather has been unseasonably warm. Just like San Diego with cool mornings and warm afternoons.

Filed under: FUN-travel
Tagged: Cherry Blossoms, Japan, Takayama, Tokyo

FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Yokohama

April 4, 2018 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Yokohama

Sankeien Gardens…

…traditional & typical Japanese-style garden that includes…

…ponds & streams with rambling paths & foot bridges.

The crown jewel is a three-storied Pagoda that sits high atop the hill…as if guarding the grounds…that include over 300 cherry blossom trees. It was originally constructed in Kyoto in 1457… and relocated in 1914.