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August 26th 2010

Published: November 15th 2010

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patelm

Takayama Bus

Iwatakan bus.

26th August

At the bus station Tom gave us time to get lunch (we'd already got food) but went to the shops anyway. We travelled by bus for the two hour journey from Matsumoto to Takayama, stopping at a station for 5mins for toilets; Amy nearly got left behind.

Takayama

The owner of the place we were staying at came to pick us up (see pic) and take us to the Iwatakan minshuku. Once we settled in we went on a tour of the old private houses and had a tasting of nihonshu (rice wine) and pickled turnip. The turnip tasted OK.
We had an included dinner and were asked to wear the yukata (see pics). The dinner was really nice.

After dinner Tom (tour leader) suggested we go for a drink. The place he remembered and we eventually found was really nice, we named it Yoko's because the lady serving looked like Yoko Ono.

28.08.10

After breakfast (best of the whole trip) we all walked through the morning markets, meeting at the agreed location where the Iwatakan minshuku owner give us a lift to the Hida no Sato

Takayama Iwatakan

Outside our Iwatakan before we go for a walk

folk village. This is a lovely village made up of mainly old building relocated from the surrounding areas. After being dropped off in town, Nicole, Kimberly, Kay, Stuart and I, walked to one of the row of temples located on a hill to the north of the city. Kimberly became leader and took us on a walk up the hill through the cemetery. The views from the top were unfortunately obscured by trees. On the way back into town we walked along the main shopping street. I had to get some cash, so agreeing to meet back at the hotel, kay and I went looking for the post office which was located in one of the back streets. We then headed back to the Iwatakan to get ready for dinner.

Tom took us all to a restaurant that was 10 minutes walk away. Gemma timed this as in the past Tom's timing was not great. We did get to the restaurant in just under 10 minutes. The lady that served us had a deep voice and reminded me of Ena Sharples from the TV series Coronation Street

After dinner some of us decided to revisit Yoko's and on

Takayama Iwatakan

Outside our Iwatakan

the way had a drink in another bar where we practically filled the whole place. At Yoko's we ended up talking to a couple from Holland who were self driving through Japan. They said they had very little problems. One of the reasons was that in the car's Sat Nav they could input the telephone number of their destination.

29.08.10

This morning some of us decided to go to a dolls pantomime before departing for Kanazawa. From what I recall it was a bit tacky, but the walk there and back was quite scenic.

Obervations:
• The girls in the group that are wearing shorts are getting big red mosquito bits on their legs
• Dave and Jane (married couple) pay independantly for everything
• The girls have noticed that Tom doesn't look at you when he's talking
• Gemma loves chocolate, lucky Kay's brought lots with her
• Nicole is always hungry
• Stuart's on a diet, but seems to eat big lunches and dinners.

On to Kanazawa

Additional photos below

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