JAPAN Takayama 28th September - 1st October

Asia » Japan » Nara
November 25th 2008

Published: November 26th 2008

The upside of leaving Kagoshima sooner than we thought was getting back on the superb Shinkansen. After that we had a beautiful ride up through the mountains to Takayama. Here we booked ourselves into Zenko-ji temlpe run by the very enigmatic Tommy. Our first night was in the temple hall which was a unique but chilly experience.

Takayama is a picturesque town with historic wooden buildings and gorgeous temples. We spent a very relaxing couple of days walking and exploring.

Additional photos below

Photos: 32, Displayed: 22

01 Shinkansen to Takayama

02 Shinkansen

03 Our home for the night

04 Beds in the temple

05 Sleeping in the temple brrr but cool

06 Brekkie in the Temple kitchen

07 Margaret from Sydney

08 Our room on the 2nd night much warmer

09 Entrance to our accomodation

09 Tommy the manager of the temple

10 Duncan doesn't make the headroom clearance

11 Takayama Morning markets

12 Delicious Nachi pears (cross between an apple and pear)

13 Purchasing sarubobo doll

14 Traditional Sarubobo dolls

The name sarubobo means " baby monkey" and one of the crafts for which Takayama is famous for. They were traditionall made by grandmothers as amulets. They protect the bearer from bad things, but also facilitate a happy marriage and complication free childbirths.