Onsen, Sumo, Golf and too much Tokyo

[Noel Mugavin]

To my destination - Toyama City Hall observation deck






Morning market being set up






Down and back to the station, past a local Hanbey branch


Tram coning into the station

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Back on the shinkansen to Kanazawa and a stroll down to Omicho market for some lunch

Wagyu



Dessert


Another stroll, this time down to the Higashi Chaya District

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Something different for dinner, another trip to Gogo Curry


Cold night, little bit of a wander, then back to the warmth of the hotel

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Early morning and time to leave Kanazawa. To be honest was a bit underwhelmed by Kanazawa.
Change of train at Toyama, and a picture of what Toyama gives you on a clear day

Hida to Takayama

Impressive looking train on the adjacent track


Scenery along the way

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Takayama station


Cross section of a Yatai Float






Rebuilt in 2007






Ashinaga yokai




Continued walking toward the river and the main part of town

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Miyagawa River





Ashinaga


Tenaga

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Back on one of the main drags and up to the Showa-kan museum







Absolutely loved this place

 

[Noel Mugavin]

 

[Noel Mugavin]

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Hida beef sushi


Continued strolling

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Sarubobo doll, associated with Takayama, made by grandmothers for their grandchildren

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Grabbed an apple and sat by the river in quiet contemplation life for about 15 minutes


Then a bit of archery


10 arrows wasn't enough, went for another couple of rounds

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Back ti the station to jump on the hotel shuttle. Interesting building in the distance.

Station from the other side


Hotel shuttle


Hotel Associa


The room


View from the room




Had a soak in the outside onsen, again with nice view down to the town. Then back onto the shuttle back to down to find some dinner.
Onsen from the carpark


I had thought of walking into town, however there was a bit of bushland on the way, and even though it's winter and they should be hibernating, this sign on the hotel window didn't leave me with a great deal of comfort.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

I was in town by 5.25pm and after a little bit of walking soon discovered Takayama closes up fairly early.













Very limited restaurant options, ended up at the Country Hotel's restaurant.

Another little stroll before heading back to the station for the 6.45 shuttle

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The obligatory stop at a konbini


Back to the hotel to find the futon made up. Another soak, massage chair and the back to the room for bed

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Early morning soak and getting myself ready for the 9.15 shuttle to the train station.






Foyer of the hotel


The 9.15 shuttle would get me to the station with just enough time to walk to nearest 711 for some breakfast and bits and pieces for my train trip to Tokyo, before its 9.45 departure. I did get a little anxious though when a fella came to the door of the bus and asked the driver to just wait a bit assuring him his wife was on her way. He then stepped out of the bus and was half in - half out of the door to the hotel entrance looking between the bus and the hotel reception.
Never fear however, my love for Japan was just reinforced when 9.15 on the clock on the bus ticked over, the driver shut the door and took off, leaving the bloke standing mouth agape staring at the bus.



Scenery on the way to Nagoya

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Time for a toilet break, and to grab a bento for the shinkansen into Tokyo.







Off at Shinagawa and then on to the Yamanote line to Shinjuku




Windy and freezing in Tokyo. Happy to get to my hotel APA Kabukicho Higashi Towers.
APA must have listened to customer feedback to allow for more luggage storage, as now there is room to store luggage under the bed.



Time to wander


Made my way to the Shimokitazawa area,.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Found myself a soup curry restaurant. Probably went a bit spicier than ideal, but still very nice.





More wandering after dinner and it was about this time that I started getting a couple of messages re a house on fire near mine back home. About an hour of aloofness to mild concern to complete worry when worked out the house on fire adjoined my property. My worry was about my dog, her panicking and also the issue of smoke inhalation. Eventually was able to get confirmation that the dog was all good, and the fire was now contained. Unfortunately the house on fire was completely gutted. Was also nice knowing people back home were looking after me.


Shimokitazawa station

Mind was elsewhere contacting home and got on the wrong train, however all worked itself out in the end and and was back in Shinjuku, albeit through an unconventional route.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Too cold, too windy and I was done


Aftermath of the fire