It's 38 degrees outside as the train pulled into the station. That means the Autumn leaves are almost at its peak, and oh, what a delightful sight it was for this small mountain town at the foothills of the Japan alps.
While the center of town is bustling, Zen moments can be enjoyed around the edges of town. Many streets are still cobbled with traditional buildings of the Edo period.
When it comes to culinary delights here, it’s all about the A5 Hida Beef. A5 is the highest rating out of the Japanese system for grading Wagyu beef. The highly marbled, melt in your mouth beef is equivalent to what is marketed as Wagyu beef in the States, but a t a fraction of the cost.
Bridge over the Miyagawa river
A small lamp post outside a business
A thoroughfare of shops and restaurants. I thought these trees were artificial because the Autumn leaves are so pretty. They are very real and surreal.
I really dig these street lights
The trench on the upper right of this photo has fresh water running down from the mountains. They were built for fire safety as the buildings here are all made of wood. In the periods when oil and candles were used for lighting, buildings and even entire towns succumbed to fires. This is why only about 6 prominent castles in Japan are actual originals; most have been rebuilt over and over due to fire; be it arson, or accidental. Now, the water is used by merchants and building owners to wash sidewalks, and water plants, etc. Some have iron or wooden plates to cover the channels (right side of photo) when moving large boxes or furniture.
A quiet and peaceful walk around the out edges of the city
Today was all about Autumn leaves
Ginko tree
Autumn means no mosquitoes! We went the entire two and a half weeks unscathed.
Made it to the top of the hill
Oh wait, there's more to go...
I'm blown away by traditional Japanese architecture where no nails were used; just complex joints that holds up for centuries through earthquakes.
These are gassho farmhouses (prayer hands because that's what it looks like).
They have a thick thatched roof which holds up for 20 - 30 years against wind, rain, and snow.
Water wheel
Our ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, where breakfast and dinner is served in your room. When dinner is over, the table is moved and bedding is prepared for you on the floor. It was quite comfortable for 3 nights, perhaps not more than that.
This set up went on for 3 nights, with slight variations. It's all about A5 Hida beef here - so marbled and tender. Tonight is nabe, next night was sliced beef grilled (yourself), third night was thick sliced A5 steak grilled (yourself). Breakfast set up is similar, but without the heavy proteins.
You see that thick slice of A5 (=Wagyu) on the left peeking out?
Espresso in an edible biscuit. It's lined with icing so no sugar needed.
Wasabi root. Grate how much you need.
Japanese archery is hard. I got 10 arrows and only got one near the target.
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