Takayama, a city on the edge of the Japanese Alps, has been a settled site since pre-historic time (the Jomon Period). It became a castle town during the Sengoku period, that time of warring states as Japan moved from one settled shogun-led rule to another. When the Tokugawas came to power ushering in the Edo Period, it fell under their direct control.
Takayama was an important timber/ timber crafting town in the Edo period. Today, evidence of this is found in the Sanmachi district. Today, along with being a center of artisan craftsmanship, it’s the home of many sake breweries.
We’re fortunate to have been able to plan our trip to be here for the first day of the Spring Festival. More to come on that.
We made the train trip from Kanazawa, two trains switching at Gifu because I didn’t book the bus in time, and the quicker train ride was a no go due to bridge/ track damage. The views from the Hida Express were a lot nicer than the pictures show.
Upon arrival in town, we immediately went and checked to see if there were bus tickets left to Tokyo on the day of arrival. Yay, there were. We stored our luggage and went to eat. Our choice: the local wagyu beef, Hida, which has become quite popular in Japan. We enjoyed it in what we were told is a more traditional way: cooked over a small ceramic stove, on a mulberry leaf, with miso paste. Along with some sake and plum wine, a good lunch, and a good way to start our time on this last part of our trip.
And SNOW! Yay. Hope to see snow on the German Alps someday.
We took a fairly hilly walk up to the Hida no Sato, an open air village. Details followRead more
April 12 in Japan