Autumn Tones in Colourful Kamikochi

From Takayama we trained it to Kamikochi.  The bullet trains are just fabulous -so easy and ordered.  Everyone queues up so there's no stress and I think that's a big plus.  Kamikochi is a very favourite place for the Japanese as well as overseas tourists.  it's surrounded by serious mountain peaks and the walking trails are just lovely..  There are a lout of people 'our age"which is very encouraging - all kitted out in walking gear, poles and backpacks.

This place completely shuts down from November to April as it's too cold.

Have K and B turned Japanese?

The Reflection Pool

This is what a bowl of noodles can do to you!!

B at the Reflection Pool

Out the front of our Hotel on departure - so sad to leave. 

And this was the Hotel - from across the river on our way to the bus station

And we are on our way to Matsumoto!!

Takayama - Onsen Territory

Train riding - note SMALL suitcases - never going to travel with anything bigger I have decided.

How is this for Room Service? We stayed in Takayama for 2 nights and this Japanese Styel Banquet was served in our room each night. This was the first of 2 other lots of delicacies to come. I do believe I have not eaten anything quite like it. When we had finished - the trays were swiftly removed, table and chairs moved to the side and our futons were laid out.  A new experience for both of us- and surprisingly very comfortable.

Takayama is quite a touristy little town with little shop fronts and lovely, smart coffee. shops.  Everything is beautifully served - even the smallest delicacies.  And I have to say that unequivocally, ALL bathroom facilities are exceptional - in cafes, restaurants, railway stations and on trains, in the parks and gardens and heritage sites.  Australia could really do with quite a few sanitary lessons from here - it makes one's journey a real pleasure as we all know there are some "perils" when eating out all the time - different food and conditions - are you with me on that??

The town is surrounded by mountains, and the air superbly clean and fresh.  Takayama is known for its fabulous miso and sake production, and there are many shops selling a huge variety of both. The bottles of sake range from the moderate to the immensely expensive.

This Lady gave me a taste of the Miso she makes - just fantastic.  I snapped this pic of her just inside her shop.  She was so cute.

We stayed upon a hill above the town

Outside the coffee shop across from our Hotel

Dressed Japanese style, ready for hot bath.

And a sign in the woods

So pleased we did not come across one of these

Temple visiting

Fabulous little and not so little gardens.

And our next stop will be Kamikochi.

Titanic Tokyo

Well we arrived  in Tokyo a couple of days ago but it feels a great deal longer than that. It may have something to do with the fact that we left Melbourne on a flight leaving at 1.00 am but it actually departed at 2.00am.  I was pretty punch drunk by the time we arrived - appropriately there was an exhibition of photos of Muhammad Ali at our Hotel - apparently he stayed here in 1976 for 12 days.  it's in the Shinjuku area.  This city is HUGE. It makes Melbourne look very small.  I do like it.

They love those games when you try to capture a toy or item with one of the "grabbers". There are whole arcades devoted to them. (I've NEVER won anything) However the prizes are somewhat different here ...........

  The one below is a bit more Luna Park

Not speaking or reading Japanese does not seem a problem.  Every-one is very helpful - a Policeman personally escorted us to the correct platform at the incredibly vast station.  A stranger helped us buy tickets - all you have to do is look puzzled holding a map and someone will come to your aid. There is no smoking allowed on the street, and rubbish is non existent.  Train seats are not slashed to pieces and the ticket machines always work........ Mmmmm just like Myki

We decided to take a Hop on Hop off bus trip just to get the feel of the place.

Who is this person standing up when we were told not to

 Oh well

 

Apartment living and laundry sorted

Odd buildings and Tokyo Tower

And then on to the Senso-Ji Temple.  This Temple complex is huge - and I do find it hard to get a sense of it with all the throngs of tourists and yes we are part of that.  It was a beautiful sunny day, so I guess even more people were there - it is an obvious attraction.  The main buildings are relatively new due to the bombing of the original structures during World War 11.

Traditional meets technology!

We have eaten much udon and soba noodles but this was a little Danish hot dog -so beautifully served in a bamboo boat - delicious

And then it was on to the amazing Tokyo International Forum - now 20 years old but it looks like it might have been completed yesterday.  It's an exhibition and cultural space - with 4 halls (one seating over 5000) and an atrium.  Light filled with a ceiling resembling a ships hull and gantries to get you from one side to the other.

And they are right into Halloween

Not far from here is the famous stylish Ginza - name any brand, shop or label and it's here.

Lights, lights, camera and action.  Even with so many people there's no pushing and shoving - very respectful.  No graffiti or 4 wheel drive prams.  The fit out of the shops and the way goods are displayed is just beautiful.

So it's on to Takayama.  We now start to use our Japan Rail Pass.