TAKAYAMA
Takayama's central location in the Japanese Alps makes it the perfect base for half or full day trips in the surrounding area. There are many hotels but limited dining options, particularly for a late dinner. The city contains three blocks of old Edo style buildings which is best viewed in the morning to avoid large crowds. If you are up early there are two morning markets along the stream. You can tell from the photos that this is a nice, small village that has a great stuck in time quality.
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I used Takayama as a base to take a day trip up to Shirakawa-Go (see below) but Takayama wound up being the highlight. It's a perfect sized village - there's enough going on, enough to see and do, and yet it's peaceful and serene.
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HIDA BEEF
More "Steaky" than Kobe. Hida Beef is still deliciously fatty but it's texture and consistency is more similar to US steak. The beef is available in various forms - hamburger, steak, etc. - with corresponding price points. There's a local micro-brewery - Hidatakayama Brewing Agricultural Corporation - tours are not available but the beer can be found in a few Family Marts.
SHIRAKAWA-GO
The village is a UNESCO World Heritage site for the preserved grassho style houses. The houses are large A-Frames with thick grass thatched roofs. The unique structure helps to keep the house cool in the winter and snow slides off in the winter. Several homes are open to the public and as you approach you get a sense for the large size of the houses. Some houses are five stories tall with narrow stairways that allow you to reach the very top.
There is a lookout above the village that provides the panoramic, post-card view of the complete community below.
There is a lookout above the village that provides the panoramic, post-card view of the complete community below.
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Several homes are on exhibit in Takayama but Shirakawa-go is a one hour bus ride away. J-HOPPERS hostel offers two tours per day. If I had a do over though, I'd head to Shirakawa-go in the afternoon, spend the night, and have the place to myself. Then leave the next morning for Kanazawa.
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A few more photos and another city themed manhole cover.
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GERO
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Gero Onsens are one of the Top Three Onsens in Japan...although I'm not sure if that applied to the public bath house onsen I went to. Either way onsens are one of the Japanese cultural experiences you must try and what better place then in one of the Top Three areas of Japan. In addition to the public bath house onsens, there are several upmarket spas, although the rate at several hostels for non-guests is quite reasonable.
The onsen I visited had several sit down showers with a bath and Jacuzzi in the bathing room. Outside was another warm bath and a small, cold-water pool. There was a slight drizzle which created a nice hot and cold effect while sitting in the outdoor bath. Before changing I immersed myself under a high-pressure, waterfall-type shower. The strong stream acted like a massage for my head and shoulders. |
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For additional Takayama photos see FLICKR ALBUM.