Wanosato Takayama

... dipping sauce that had a little soy, sesame oil, and maybe some chili oil – very yummy!

After dinner (Toshi and I were able to sneak the check before it came to the table and pay for dinner!) we went down to the onsen, men to one side and women to another. After getting a locker, shucking our clothes we headed to the the natural hot springs. We were inside and outside (in the cold) in very hot, full of sulfur and it felt so good! While we were relaxing in this amazing place ...

... so they are super cautious and have people who walk around the village at night in the spring and summer to look out for any fire that may have started so it can be put out quickly.

After a while walking around this we did a little shopping and had saki – at 9:30 in the morning! It was delicious and strong! My trips with the Mano family are always filled with interesting (and sometimes scary) food and drink.

More later . . .

... when cooked a unique melty experience. Yes i am raving but i'm serious, it was that good and if anything, i've never tasted anything like it. Go gastro-tourism!

The next day was our day of hardcore sightseeing which included going to see the traditional folk village which has reconstructions of various traditional houses, and examples of traditional art such as exceptional woodcutting, in a beautiful country setting. Also on the list were: the old style ...

... en anglais. Donc, j'ai fait un peu de repassage, refait mes valises et lu un peu.

Takayama est dans les montagnes. C'est un petit village ou il y a beaucoup d'agriculture et ou les gens travaillent le bois. Ils sont memes reputes pour leur travail. Il y a de tres beaux bols en bois lacques qui coutent, vous vous en doutez, une fortune. C'est une petite ville et tout ferme a 4h30-5h. Et quand je dis tout, j ...

... it very much. Also had the standard “+3” (miso, rice, pickles), and a little tuna sashimi. Huge spread and it was all (save the roe thing) great.

Still raining after supper, so we forewent the nightlife of Takayama (whatever that might be) for TV. Stumbled across “20th Century Boys” (google it, it’s worth it). It’s a very popular Japanese movie (not yet released in ...

... as a side dish of curry & rice.

There was a museum of old checking station in Inotani. It's too bad that Inotani checking station no more remains. It could be a great sightseeing spot if we are actually able to see the station.

The hightlight of the day was viewing Tokoniji Falls. Although I've never heard about the place, I thought it ...

... student.....being that we are soooo far behind, this will be - a picture is worth a thousand words...enjoy the pictures. Your students/children are doing great...we have been sleeping Japanese style on the floor for six nights and are anxious to move on to Hiroshima for real beds and bathrooms in our room. We have been taking the Japanese style baths every night!!...
Gosh, hard to believe our trip is almost over!!!

... she owns the whole of japan, this going on the " if i like it it's mine, if i see it's mine" principle.
i love you sweetheart. we both miss you both. i'm getting some stares here, so i need to go. i'll try to get on computer tonite. have to do laundry too.
i'll tell tim about orientation stuff. that was very thoughtful of you.
miss you much, you too kate :)
love you forever, like you for always
mom

After a much needed day sleeping and relaxing at the onsen in Fujinomiya, we all head out on a long journey into the Hida district. The trip via Nagoya includes a beautiful and scenic train ride through the mountains, and the weather is noticeably cooler when we arrive. After a couple idle hours enjoying Takayama, we board our bus for magical Shirakawa-go! Wow! This place is amazing! The bus takes ...

... on my laptop, so I guess I won't be getting online. They do have cards you can buy at the front desk to use their internet and machines. But that's at a rate of about $10/hr. That's a little high, and I figure one of the hotels we stay at in Japan will have internet... Kagaya Hotel, the one we were supposed to stay at tonight and have been rescheduled for tomorrow night, is supposed to be a much better hotel. If it doesn't have it, I'll be pretty surprised. So, I'm ...