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Published: June 14th 2017
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Geo: 35.268, 136.756
We woke up early (7.30am) so that we could have one last bathing experience - this time, to make Olivia feel more comfortable, we girls wore our togs. I felt more self conscious NOT stripping off, but we only saw a couple of ladies in the dressing room who didn't give us a second look.
Then to breakfast - we had opted for the Western style breakfast, but it was a Japanese interpretation/imitation of a western breakfast - the prawn and potato salad and French onion soup were a little unusual! Again, beautifully presented to us on dozens of little dishes, by our lovely Aya.
We were packed and ready in plenty of time to make the 10am shuttle to town (even though we had planned to be on the latest 11am) so we bundled the kids out the door and checked out - our lovely Aya had to run to say farewell to us! She was a big part of ensuring that we enjoyed and understood our Ryokan experience at Takayama.
We were able to change our train tickets from the 12.30 to 11.30 train, which has the big benefit that we will be arriving in Kyoto in
daylight (3pm). We had time to have a coffee/hot chocolate in town (didn't get back to the old streets, though) and I found free wifi that allowed me to ring mum and dad (and Aj and Nigel and the twins were there too!). Great to hear their voices.
Then, at the station, we bought out their entire supply of hot steamed Hida beef buns (10), and Steven was disappointed that the baby monkey bento box was unavailable. Onto the train, which went down the other side of the mountain pass. Not a lot more snow on the ground - the man at our hotel told us that it is unseasonably warm this year and normally there is a lot of snow at this time. The trip was very pretty, with blue green rivers, pine trees and some autumn colours - but darned if I know where they keep these Hida beef cows or what they feed them on!
Back down to the eastern side of Honshu, and we changed at Nagoya for a bullet train to Kyoto - kids have read/listened to music and chilled the entire trip.
From the station at Kyoto, we walked to the main reception, where
we checked in, then took a taxi the 1km to our Mayachin. It is a traditional merchant house - so tiny but cute. Downstairs, there is a cupboard/kitchen, a living/dining room with tatami mats and dining table, an annex (it would have been the shop front and is just big enough for two girls to snuggle up in - it has a cupboard at one end which is a toilet and the laundry, all in the one square meter!). The bathroom, though, is spacious and magnificent, looking out onto the Japanese garden and with beautiful slate tiles. Upstairs, there is a bedroom with two twin beds and another annex, where he boys are sleeping on futons.
We found a ramen noodle joint last night - very yummy!!
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tracey_lucas01
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I am insanely jealous! I wish I was there. The houses look amazing. I think it's time to start planning a trip...Enjoy the rest of your holiday xx