View the first post in this series here.
View the previous post in this series here.
02 June 2008
Leaving Shirakawa-gō, our coach took us back on the mountain roads towards Takayama, a city dotted with numerous temples. Somehow roads tell how rich a country is. I was impressed by the well maintained roads and tunnels through the hills supplied with electricity. A far cry from some places I have been to where tunnels depend on the light of vehicles using them.
View the previous post in this series here.
02 June 2008
Leaving Shirakawa-gō, our coach took us back on the mountain roads towards Takayama, a city dotted with numerous temples. Somehow roads tell how rich a country is. I was impressed by the well maintained roads and tunnels through the hills supplied with electricity. A far cry from some places I have been to where tunnels depend on the light of vehicles using them.
A dam
We passed calm lakes. Most roads are open air but some stretches are shelthered with concrete
Crossing one of the many bridges
Nice tall trees
Entering one of the many tunnels
It is mostly different shades of green
Arriving on the outskirts of Takayama
A government agricultural building. Apparently all rice grown is bought by the government at controlled prices.
Checking in to our hotel. It was about 6:30pm.
Our Ryokan styled room is really spacious. Hotel staff automatically lay the beds after dinner.
Having arrived at our hotel, we decided to break away from where most of the others in our tour group were going -- a 100 YEN shop.
Before embarking on this trip I read that Takayama was a city best covered on foot. True enough, coloured tourist maps with
their English photocopied translations marking attractions were readily available at the hotel reception. The cool and fresh air was perfect for a walk.
We quickly orientated ourselves and headed for the nearest attraction, Hida-Kokubunji Buddhist Temple, also the oldest structure in Takayama.
Originally built in 746 CE, it was burnt down. The main temple hall was rebuilt in 1615 CE and the three storey pagoda in 1806 CE.
While there, we saw a huge tree in the temple compound that some of us felt looked eerie. It turns out that it was a 1200 year Ginko tree -- probably
the oldest organism in the area.
What looks like a pub on our way to the temple
The three storey pagoda
The main temple hall, unfortunately it was not open. Probably because it was about 7pm.
The bell tower. The huge tree in the background is likely to be the 1200 year old Ginko tree.
Sarubobo (literally, monkey baby) outside the temple
A big stone sarubobo
It is said that long ago an epidemic was in the area and children were especially susceptible to it.
Thus, sarubobo
was created as a charm to ward of disease for children. Today it is used mainly for good luck
with different colours meant for luck in different things.
After leaving the temple, we took a quick walk around some of the streets before returning to our hotel for dinner. Then, we realised that the shops along the streets were full of various local souvenirs and produce, although the entire place was rather deserted.
After leaving the temple, we took a quick walk around some of the streets before returning to our hotel for dinner. Then, we realised that the shops along the streets were full of various local souvenirs and produce, although the entire place was rather deserted.
Modern sheltered walkways are placed in front of old houses
A sake shop, there are many along the way
This shop looks like it's overflowing with goodies
One of the main rivers that lie across Takayama. The family of mandarin ducks and Koi in total would cost about $10000 upwards back home, but here, they are part of the natural river fauna.
A large Shinto styled archway, smaller archways line that road all the way to another temple
Pachinko!
Bicycle parking
A residence
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