Shirakawa-Go and Kamikochi

We are on our way to Shirakara-go. It is an old village made of traditional hay huts with traingular roof tops. We decided to take a four hour tour rather than take the public bus. As we're going for such a short time, it was easier. The guide, Yamomoto, is a super energetic guy. When I say super, I actually think its a huge understatement. He just asked us if we like Sake (I found out from tastings that I do not like it in any taste or kind). Anyways, he says - "do you like sake?  I like Sake very much. I drink it every night" 

I just bet he does. He said we can have a drink of special sake is the museum. You pay entrance at the  museum but you can drink one, two, three, five, eight, all you can drink. Holy camoly man, its barely eight am! 

I have no idea where he gets so much energy. We bought the tour tickets from him two nights ago when we got to Takayama and he was super energetic then. Now we see him in the morning and hes just as energetic, maybe even more so. Unbelievable. I wonder what his wife is like. Is she just as energetic or the opposiite - a quiet little woman. He's now holding up a Sarubobo - a massive red doll, local to Takayama.  

Ok, enough about our guide for now. 

We drove through many tunnels from Takayama, the longest of which is 11km long. 

The little village of Shirakawa-go is a quant little place with triangular shaped grass roofed homes. 

The one we went into had warm tea ready for its guests.

Surprisingly, there were four floors inside. Its not something you would imagine looking from the outside. Everything is made of wood, finely filed down such that the stairs railings are very smooth to the touch. There was a beautiful old tea kettle, exactly like the one I want. Somehow I dont think they would be happy if I asked the price.

Everything inside is an antique. Its the black one in the back made of caste iron.

We walked around some more and saw the local temple, though we had to walk passed it twice before actually recognizing it for what it was.

The area is beautiful, and green. The gardens outside each home, as per usual for Japan, are perfectly manicured and so very colourful.

I saw several types of flowers Id never seen before, including a type of sunflower without the black centre. And on the outlook point we saw a tiny little green tree frog and a beautiful dragonfly. 

I think that when you're traveling, at least this is true for me, you take the time to 'smell the roses,' to see the little things. I love all the colours, and smells and life all around here. Even the mountains covered in trees have a thousand different shades of green. And now that we are higher up in elevation and the leaves are starting to change, the green is interspersed with some orange and yellow. Its all really very beautiful. 

On the way back to the bus, Ori and I stopped for some local ice cream. We were told by our guide its one of the things popular here. We were feeling adventurous and had Shirakawago Sake flavour and I had Apple Pie. Ok, so maybe I wasnt as adventurous as him this time. But Im usually the one trying new stuff (for example green tea ice cream). 

Once we got back to town we loaded up on munchies and got in line for the bus to Kamikochi. Unfotunately, this is another of those trips that the JR (Japan Rail) does not take us. We hesitated about whether we would go for the day, stay over night, or skip it altogether. The trip there takes over two hours each way considering we have to switch buses, its not that cheap, and the hotel, which is actually a lodge, is quite expensive. After taking everything into calculation, we decided to go anyways. Kamikochi is located in the middle of the Japanese Alps. It is supposedly a beautiful resort region which doesnt allow for private cars. We plan is to stay at a lodge by the river and hike tomorrow morning in the wildernes (maybe even some more monkeys).

The view to the Alps was gorgeous. The mountains are filled with green green trees of every kind and shade and shape. There are slight bumps on the hills and the tress follow the shape and make it that much more amazing. 

As we arrive in the region of Kamikochi the bus slows down to the point of stopping. We didnt really understand why until we saw the family of monkeys cross the street and disappearr into the forrest. Ori was super excited about having seen them. Unfortunately they were too quick to photograph, but we saw them and thats the important thing. 

We arrived at the bus stop and crossed the bridge to our lodge. The room was nice and simple but there was an onsen which made me happy. 

We went on a mini hike around a small part of the lake and got back to the lodge to prepare for dinner.

This onsen experience was slightly different as the place was full of Japanese women who all seemed to know each other. More interesting was dinner. It was Kasekai style, which is traditional Japanese meal made up of several different courses.

We had requested drinks with dinner. I asked for plum liquor and Ori asked for some other thing of which I cant even recall the name. My drink was delicious. Oris....not so much. Dinner was colourful an interesting. We got to try the salted fish we saw in the markets throughout the trip. Ori took a picture with it.

I actually tried a bit of it. It wasnt good but it wasnt bad. Even if it was good, the many small bones would have gotten in the way. Good thing the sashimi was delicious (yes, even Ori enjoyed it). Over all, the Kasekai at the Koyasan temple was better, but this was a nice Japanese experience as well. Ohh, I forgot to mention - I had dinner wearing a Yukata and the Kimono jacket. I sent Ori downstairs ahead of me to see if it was done. Half the people in the dining room were wearing it. That was fun. 

We had tea in the tea room and went to bed. 

Another long day awaits. Hiking in the Japanese Alps! How cool is that?

Stay tuned for tomorrows pictures. If today's clouds clear up, the photos are sure to be great. 

Fingers crossed for good weather.