FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – Takayama
April 6, 2018 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Jubilant Japan in Bloom! – 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.
…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…
…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!
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…
…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.
FUN-fact – The weather has been unseasonably warm. Just like San Diego with cool mornings and warm afternoons.