Takayama is known as the gateway to the Japanese alps - we were planning to go for a day trip into them but unfortunately the weather prevented this as it chucked it down for the 2 days we were there. Annoyingly we were staying in a temple that didnt allow us in our room between 9 - 3...so we had to walk around in the rain! So we managed to see ...

Today I bought a giant Totoro. Well not giant, but giant in terms of my budget and backpack space. But boy, did it put a smile on my dial. Now, whenever I am feeling a bit lonely, I can sit in the corner and cuddle it while singing myself the Totoro lullaby. In a really manly way, of course. Today I went to the Miyagawa Morning Markets, which ho...

Last night was my first night sleeping on a futon- not bad at all, though I think tonight I will go along with the concession the ryokan makes for us soft westerners, and have two mattresses rather than one- it was a touch ******* the bones!

As I'm somewhat income-deprived right now, breakfast was some cereal and milk bought the day befo...

The village was interesting. My mom and I poked our heads into a few of the homes. There was one home where they were making some sort of decoration out of mochi, which is like a sticky rice goo... I don't know how else to explain it, but usually it's served as a dessert. Either way, the decoration is you stick the mochi around a branch... I too...

The hot spring bath was nice. It wasn't as embarrassing this time as it had been my first time back in 2000. Maybe because someone I know was there with me: My mom. Although under any other circumstances stripping down and walking around nude in front of my mom would be something I'd strongly object to, here, it didn't seem to be a big deal. I s...