It was a 3 hour train ride from Nagano, and I had to transfer off the bullet train to a normal train that ran it’s way through the foothills. Super pretty and relaxing. None of these trains are crowded so I can spread out, switch over to more scenic side etc. I arrived in Takayama around noon, so it was the usual - drop the bag off at the guesthouse and then go wander around.
Takayama is known for having some really nice restored Edo period building in it’s downtown touristy strip area so that’s where I headed. And of course it’s spotlessly clean and perfect looking, Japan just does so many thing right!
Just look at those streets
The other thing that the area is known for is their beef, called Hida beef. I think it’s wagyu or maybe it’s a variety of it? It has that same crazy marbling throughout! I ordered some beef skewers and raw beef nigiri, mmm. After that is more walking walking walking. There was a traditional village set up further on the edge of town, it was 50’s and sunny, so why not walk.
The village was cool, nobody lived in the old houses, but they were all done up well with nice exhibits inside each one - woodworking, clothes making, charcoal making, a wedding house, you name it. And I basically had the place to myself.
Back at the guesthouse it was pretty quiet, I just took it easy for the night and had a cheap dinner from the convenience store. The next day I check out some Japanese kitsch museum in the morning and then it was on the bus to Shirakawa-go village, which is a Unesco Heritage site.
So many similar consumer products and electronics to us, but so many differences!
It’s famous for those traditional farmhouses with the steep thatched roofs, called Gassho-Zukuri. Which means hands folded in prayer, supposed to be similar to the way the buddha holds his hands. I guess you can also book some of them for the night, which sounded kinda cool. There’s not exactly a ton of stuff to do there, but it is neat to see for a few hours!
Then back on the bus to get home. And fortunately I found an Aussie guy to go get some off that beef with. They have popular restaurants called Yakiniku where you have your own little hot plate and they bring out the slice of raw beef (among other things) and you just cook it yourself on the grill. Just a little sear on each side and that’s all you need!
