Across the mountains

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We left Tokyo on Sunday and took the train to Takanawa
Went through snow covered mountains. Snow at side of roads and rail about 18inches deep even after thawing
Mountain streams very full
Takanawa stayed in Rickshaw Inn a ryokan. Slept on the floor on futon on tatami mats
Great nights sleep
Went to the old merchants area with original houses and shops and up to the terrace walk along the 13 shrines and temples. One of the best things to do was visit the old government buildings looked small from the outside but went back a long way. Very interesting to see how things were managed hundreds of years ago
After 1 night there took the train, bus and train again to Kanazawa. train usually does the whole journey but in the winter it is replaced by bus across the mountains so they keep the roads open with ploughs. Still lots of snow around.
Passed through ski areas although not enough snow now for that
Whilst we were in the mountain area there was an earthquake 7.1 on Richter scale at the north end of the peninsular that Kanazawa is at thge bottom of. About 100 miles from us. Lots of buildings damaged, 200 injured and 1 fatality when one of the stone lanterns fell on a woman. we had seen leaflets about what to do in the event of an earthquake in the tourist information offices
Apparently Japan is hit by about 1000 tremors a year but most only detected with sensitive equipment
Had the benefit of a 'goodwill guide' Yomoto Fujimoto in Kanazawa. She took us around for the day to the Samurai and Geisha areas as to a workshop where the kimonos were hand painted and made. We went to kenrokuen gardens and for lunch at a local Japanese restaurant which gave us a chance to try lots of different dishes.
Caught the 15.00 train to Hiroshima and got in early by making a quick cnange to the Shinkansen bullet train at Shin-Osaka. Advised we neede 10minutes to change platforms but did it in 5 - just as the sirens were going for the doors to close!!!
hiroshima in the next blog

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Photos

In the Geisha district
uncommon to see men in kimonos

Inside government building Takayama
Tatami mats on floor

Blossom at Kenrokuen park
only in its early stages