J. SAKURA TRIP Day 7+8 - Takayama, Shirakawa, Ise

 Day 7 & 8 of my Japan Sakura Trip  

Two days because on day 8 we were only driving with the bus almost the whole day.  From Takayama to Ise and then to Kyoto. We only visited the Ise Jingu Shrine for about two hours. There were long traffic jams on the expressways, so we arrived in Kyoto far after sunset in the evening.  

  Day 7
T a k a y a m a (Gifu Prefecture) reminded me of my hometown.  Countryside, traditional houses like they were a hundred years ago, a very old Ginkgo tree, several colourful bridges, a foot onsen, local food specialities and very long straight-lined streets. 
     
After visiting an old temple with a very old Ginkgo tree (alleged 1200 years ), we headed to a local market next to the river. There I found the neko-dango again, cute plush kitties . I collected them in every city/village. At this market I had to make a hard decision between grey and grey.  
        K o k u b u n j i   T e m p l e - Ginkgo tree
         Market next to the river
       
Through small alleys passing Sake manufactures and another marketplace we entered the T a k a y a m a   J i n ’ y a, a former government outpost. Beautiful interior with tatami (japanese mats) everywhere and a traditional garden as I wanted to see it already a long time.   As in every shrine, temple or historic building you are only allowed to enter without shoes. So my frozen feet were happy as we left the building.  
     
        Takayama Jin’ya 
      cookie manufacture  

After midday the next stop was S h i r a k a w a - g o, known for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic houses constructed in the architectural style gassho-zukuri.
Through the over four kilometre Odori tunnel (which also was only straight-line ) arriving in a time before our time. Only the hundreds of chinese tourists brought back the reality. 
   
     
I entered only one house. Inside they cook something at open fire.  The smoke was everywhere inside and that was meant to stay inside. It was also meant to be that after 30 seconds I had to run outside to save my lungs and breath fresh air.  I could not even imagine how the people back then had lived in such smoky houses.
        
The Sakura was beginning to change here and there. The most were still in full bloom. Some were falling. And a few were beginning to wither.
        
In the evening I enjoyed my Onsen visit in the hotel. I really love them, but the hot water is only for the cool ones.   
I was happy to see Takeshi Kitano in Tv, although I didn't understand a word. Brought back some good memories of Takeshi's Castle.

 Day 8 
B
Bu
Bus d
Bus dr
Bus dri
Bus driv
Bus drivi
Bus drivin
Bus dr...eh...
rest area
slurping ramen
buying cookies
eating cookies
sleeping
rest area
buying onigiri
eating onigiri
bus driving
traffic jam
Bus drivin
traffic ja
Bus drivi
traffic j
Bus driv
Bus dri
sunset
Bus dr
Bus d
Bus
Bu
B


And somewhere in between there was a shrine in Ise.
I s e   J i n g u   S h r i n e
   
   
I was so happy to be outside the bus.  Driving the whole day, only two hours in Ise at a shrine. And then there was such an icy wind as well. I simply tried to absorb the beauty of the shrine and the park and the kois and the torii and the Sakura and...

There was a beautiful sunset on the way to Kyoto, where we arrived when it was already dark. But the Onsen in the hotel brought back the light.   I didn't go outside anymore, just relaxing in the hotel... hey bus driving is extremely exhausting. 



I'm not that happy with the second song, but YouTube muted the song I initially had in mind. I wanted a more happy one. But I didn't found an adequate replacement. So I took this heavier oldie. I love japanese oldies.