Day 6 Osakwana and Takayoma

Spending a few hours on the bus today so just as well it was raining again.
Our lunch stop was at the motorway parking station, apparently Japanese families have outings to the motorway parking stations. Ours today was a smaller parking station but had many options of food ...Japanese fast food like McDonald’s 😂 or pick your noodles, choose a number from the vending machine and pick up your food in a couple of minutes. Many other food & gift choices in the shops, so much is packaged in multiple layers of plastic which really surprised me. Can’t find decent coffee anywhere so changed to our new favourite...cold coffee latte at $1.70
We had our first views of the Japanese Alps it was rather foggy so the view wasn't the best.
Back on the bus we passed some time learning how to make an origami warrior hat.
Made a stop to visit the Black Castle, a national treasure of Japan, no shoes allowed inside, we climbed up 5 stories to the top of the castle using very steep and narrow stairs. Beautiful gardens and a moat with very large Koi - keeping the castle safe from fire.
Arriving in Takayoma we visited one of Japan’s 200 year old Sake breweries and were treated to tasting of three different Sakes. Afterwards we experienced a Japanese dinner, with a traditional rice wine paired with a special Hida beef dinner.
Checked into the hotel and we were supplied with a very pretty and beautiful Yukata, so visited the Onsen for another bathing experience, I could easily get used to this way of bathing.Read more