On the previous day Robyn had stumbled on the J-Hoppers backpackers hostel and had booked us a half-day trip to the village of Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage site about an hour out of town. The problem she had encountered was that while she had been able to book the tour she hadn’t been able to pay as the lines for the credit card transactions were clogged – seems this happens a lot on Public Holidays and Sundays. Nobody in Japan that we encountered seemed overly fussed about it, which we found rather surprising.
With the payment out of the way, we wandered around to the markets – which we found rather disappointing after the guide book build-up – finished up some shopping in the old town shops and had lunch before joining the tour at the train station.
Another street in Takayama old town
Samuari statue near the markets
Recent road developments in the area have reduced the drive from Takayama to Shirakawago to 50 minutes from the previous duration of 2 hours. We passed through about 14 tunnels on the way, the longest of which is the 3rd longest in Japan at a touch under 11 kilometres. An impressive piece of work.
The day had started to cloud over and we were worried that the approaching summer storm – remnants of a typhoon that had swept through the Philippines, up the coast of China and across the Korean peninsula – might ruin things, but the light drizzle was really more of a nuisance than anything else. And we had come prepared with our rain coats.
Shirakawago lookout
Robyn's new new friend
Skirakawago Village is a wonderful little place, perfect for walking around for an hour or two, checking out the local sake museum – where we got to try the local brew for free – the thatched houses, the shrines, and the inevitable souvenir shops. Will wasn’t overly impressed as he is a pure city-boy, but Robyn and I enjoyed the slow pace and lack of crowds.
Suspension bridge from bus park to the village
Thatched cottage with pond
Thatched cottages
Dinner that night was back in Takayama at a small restaurant where we had one of the best meals we’d had on the trip; fantastic food, cheap and it provided me with a chance to try some warm sake. We were first in the restaurant, closely followed by a group of Western school-girls (which was a portent of what was to come over the next few days) and the place was full within about 15 minutes. I’m not sure if this was because of its reputation, its appearance in a guide-book, or its location. In any event, it was a great way to end the day and we headed back to the hotel replete and well refreshed.
No comments:
Post a Comment