A Day in Hida-Takayama

Small groups were, again, the order of the day in Hida-Takayama. The only objective was to go sight-seeing and make it back to Takayama station for the 14:40 train to Nagoya (before switching trains and heading further South onto Kyoto).

After several false starts we went for a quick walk through the Edo period (1604 to 1868) Samurai houses. These old wooden houses currently serve as tourist shops selling local specialties. We were a bit early as everything was still shut.

Eventually, a number of groups found themselves on the same side of the Kajibasi bridge at the morning markets. The markets run all the way down the eastern side of the river to the Yayoibashi bridge (the “central” feature of the town and easiest way to get around is by noting ones position in relation to the three colored bridges). At the markets you could buy food to feed the carp and buy any number of variation on Sarubobo Charms (a faceless monkey-child type doll as seen above).
[Sensei Rick and Bob]


If you hadn’t gone on a bike tour with Sensei Rick and Bob, you could take either the Kitayama Walking course (around the Ayuzaki castle runis) or the Higashiyama Walking course (past the temple area). The latter looked more appealing.



[Wayne and Jack standing beside a very very large Bell]


What some of us found out is that it is quite easy to get "templed out." Rather than dwelling on this unique sensation, however, group Kong chose instead to get lost. While we could have been enjoying the lush walk and hidden treasures of the Shiroyama park, group Kong chose to view some very unspectacular green houses way the f#$k out the middle of who-knows where.

Eventually we made it into the park and started making our way back towards Takayama station. Meandering back through town was not without merit. Here you can see Jack standing in front of a Nara-Period State Supported Temple. It is in the heart of the town and sits comfortably alongside modern dwellings.


Next: Two hours in the smoking section on route to Kyoto.