Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Japan 2024 Day 5 Takayama-Shirakawago : A Quaint Village in the Hills

You are at - Jotaro's Blog / AhPek Biker-Footsteps / Cycling Japan / Japan 2024 / Day 5: Takayama-Shirakawago     |     Go to D1/D2/D3/D4/D6/D7/D8-9
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Japan 2024: Day 5 Takayama-Shirakawago: A Quaint Village in the Hills
Kyoto, Takayama, Osaka, Japan Day 5: 1st April (Monday)
Small Group (Non-cycling) This is part of a tour of the Kansai & Hida Regions, Japan:
Chisun Grand (Takayama)>drive>Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway>drive>Shirakawa-go>Ogimachi Suspension Bridge>Shoro Gate Bell Tower>Kanda House>Wada House>Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway>drive>Chisun Grand (Takayama).

This is page 5 of an 8-page blog, Click Here To Go To Title Page.
< D4: Takayama                 |                Go to Other Days          |         D6: Osaka-Dōtonbori >

Route recommendations, here're some tips on travelling in and around Kyoto:
1. Traffic Directions!
    Traffic in Japan is right-hand drive, so drive/cycle on the left. The same thing applies when crossing the road, take note of the direction in which traffic is approaching!

2. Clearing Immigration & Customs
    To clear Immigration & Customs fast, foreign visitors can do an online registration at the "Visit Japan Web" page and register their details online. Those in the same family can register together in one form. Upon successful registration, a QR Code will be issued, share this QR Code to the phones of each member. Just show this QR Code at both Immigration & Customs, and one will be whisked through as long as one has nothing to declare.

3. Getting to and around Takayama.
    We rented a van to drive from Kyoto to Takayama & Shirakawa-go. The Serena 8-seater van was rented from nissan-rentacar.com and booked through Rentalcars.com, an arm of Bookings.com. Car Rental (plus insurance) MYR 2,100 for three days, with toll & petrol approx. MYR600. There is a need to apply for an international driving permit at MYR150 per applicant. The total cost of self-drive for the five of us was MYR3,000, ie MYR500 per pax
   For other options (ie by train/bus), click the following Rome to Rio Link For travelling from Kyoto to Takayama; the cost of the round-trip of which is about MYR540 per pax. The JR Pass round-trip travel from Takayama to Shirakawa-go is about MYR225. The total per pax is MYR765.
   It was thus better for us to self-drive with a total saving of MYR1,125 and have the freedom of going at our own pace and having additional destinations.

4. Route & Traffic Conditions  
    Getting out from Kyoto was easy, and the drive to Takayama and onwards to Shirakawa-go was smooth along the highways. Traffic within Takayama was light. Our hotel in Takayama provides free parking, whilst at Shirakawa-go they are ample parking at reasonable prices.
     
5. Weather
    In late March & early April 2024, at Takayama daytime & night time ranges were from 15°C to 20°C and 2°C to 10°C respectively. It gets even colder in Shirakawa-go. So bring warm clothing and practice layered clothing to keep warm and still allow for stripping during the hotter times of the day.

6. Communicating with Each Other
    When travelling in a group it's important to be able to communicate with each other, especially if one gets lost from the rest. We bought online 15-day 10Gb Japan Go! prepaid sim cards from Hello 1010. 20Gb cards are also available. The cards were delivered 5 days from the order. Alternatively, those using Maxis can opt for their Multi-country Roaming Pass.
    
7. Communicating with Locals
    Except for those involved in the tourist industry, most Japanese don't speak English. Install Google Translate or Naver Papago apps to communicate. It will be good to pick up some basic Japanese phrases.

8. Places & Things of Interest  
    Enroute were several places of interest, some of which we visited and others we did not for lack of time (Note: click on GPS coordinates for a directional map to respective places):
At Takayama:
    - Long-legged Ashinaga Zuchi Zou Statue & Long-armed Statue on the Kaji Bridge (鍛冶橋高山) (GPS: 36.14311, 137.25799).
    - Gyojin Bridge (行神橋) (GPS: 36.14496, 137.25766) is named after the Gyojin Festival held in the Autumn Takayama Festival (Hachiman Matsuri).
    - Miyagawa River (GPS: 36.14466, 137.25764).
    - Miyagawa Morning Market (飛騨高山宮川朝市) (GPS: 36.14470, 137.25794).
    - Sanmachi Historic District (さんまち歴史地区) (GPS: 36.14180, 137.25947).
    - Sanmachi-dori (さんまち通り) (GPS: 36.14157, 137.25955).
    - Takayama Cafe (高山カフェ) (GPS: 36.14278, 137.25922).
    - Funasaka Sake Brewery (舩坂酒造店) (GPS: 36.14074, 137.2597).
    - Nakabashi Bridge (中橋(宮川)) (GPS: 36.14000, 137.25922).
    - Jinya-mae Morning Market (陣屋前朝市) (GPS: 36.13964, 137.25821).
    - Hida Kokubunji Temple (医王山飛騨国分寺) (GPS: 36.14347, 137.25386).
    - Shiroyama Park (城山公園高山市) (GPS: 36.14004, 137.26325).
    - Higashiyama Walking Course (東山遊歩道) (GPS: 36.14496, 137.26328).
    - Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine (櫻山八幡宮) (GPS: 36.14844, 137.26081).
    -  We did some night & morning cycling at Takayama with bicycles provided for free by our hotel, Chisun Grand Takayama.
   At Shirakawa-go:
    - Shirakawa-go UNESCO Heritage Site (白川郷) (GPS: 36.25779, 136.90619) with Gassho-style Houses amid the rustic scenery of Mount Hakusan.
    - Ogimachi Suspension Bridge (であい橋) (GPS: 36.25656, 136.90411).
    - Shoro Gate Bell Tower (白川郷鐘楼門) (GPS: 36.25589, 136.90639).
    - Kanda House (神田家) (GPS: 36.25782, 136.90705).
    - Wada House (和田家住宅) (GPS: 36.25990, 136.90763).
  
9. Food
    a. Breakfast:
        Mixed Western & Japanese Buffet at Chisun Grand Takayama (GPS: 36.14172, 137.2528) at ¥1,400 per pax.
    b. Morning Snacks:
        - Hida Beef Nigiri Sushi takeaway from Jubei Hida Beef Sushi Store (重兵衛 宮川朝市店 飛騨牛にぎり寿司) (GPS: 36.14338, 137.25821).
        - Onigiri (rice-balls) at Kiyo Musubi Riceball (きよ結び) (GPS: 36.14163, 137.26132).
    c. Dinner:
        Hida Beef at Hida Takuma (飛騨琢磨) (GPS: 36.14143, 137.25382).

10. Stay
    Days 4 & 5: A 3-pax room & a 2-pax room at Chisun Grand Takayama (チサン グランド 高山) (GPS: 36.14172, 137.2528); booked much earlier through Booking.com at ¥63,657 (MYR1,962) total for 2 nights, ie at MYR196 per pax per night.
      
11. Navigation
      Geo-tagging of places of interest was done via Google Maps and FaceBook. Alternatively one can use MapMe.com, (it's an offline app, but one will have to pre-download the maps of the relevant areas). Driving directions were guided with Google Maps.
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PRELUDE
The day before, after having brunch in Kyoto, we had driven in a rented van to Takayama. After checking in we did a night ride around the town with the bicycles provided by our hotel, the Chisun Grand Takayama.
Today we will explore Takayama some more on bicycles, before driving on a day trip to Shirawaka-go, a quaint village with Gassho-style Houses that is listed on the UNESCO Heritage List.
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DAY 5: TAKAYAMA-SHIRAKAWAGO

Small group self-tour of the Kansai & Hida Regions, Japan. Day 5 From Takayama to Shirakawa-go & back:
Chisun Grand (Takayama)>drive>Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway>drive>Shirakawa-go>Ogimachi Suspension Bridge>Shoro Gate Bell Tower>Kanda House>Wada House>Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway>drive>Chisun Grand (Takayama).
After a short morning exploration of Takayama, we drove to Shirakawa-go for a day trip to enjoy this rustic Shirakawa-go UNESCO Heritage Site.
(Click here for the Takayama-Shirakawa-go Route Map)
(Click here for the Takayama Morning Cycling Route Map)


We started the day with a nice hotel buffet breakfast at Chisun Grand Takayama, a delicious mix of Western and Japanese fare. I couldn't resist going for a few rounds of Miso soup.


Time to scratch our cycling itch!
We got the hotel bicycles and soon were cycling off.....


Our first stop, was the Kaji Bridge - with unique statues on each of its sides.


One is that of a Long-armed Statue, which Phing is stretching her hands, trying to emulate it. The other one is the Long-legged Ashinaga Zuchi Zou Statue, which, with my short stumpy legs, I dare not copy. Do they have a statue of a frog somewhere? That I can do!


From the bridge, we went down to the lower banks of the Miyagawa River to take some romantic photos .....

Phing & Nicks do make a lovely young couple, while Lynne & I aren't too bad as a loving mature couple. Ahem!

Back at the top, we had parked our bicycles and walked along the Miyagawa Morning Market, which stretches about 350 metres on the top bank of the river. It runs from the Kaji Bridge and the Yayoi Bridge. Make-shift stalls line the side adjacent to the Miyagawa River, while shops are on the other side. They sell produce (vegetables, seafood), cooked stuff, bags, straw slippers, pottery, souvenirs, knick-knacks and even Miso paste too.


We tasted the food from the stalls & shops, all along the way. One of the nicer ones was this Hida Beef Nigiri Sushi takeaway from Jubei Hida Beef Sushi Store. Hida Beef, although not as renown as Wagyu, is renown for it's well marbled texture.

We cycled/walked to the Takayama old quarters, called Sanmachi Historic District. Went along Sanmachi-dori which was lined with charming old wooden shops such as the Takayama Cafe, Funasaka Sake Brewery, etc.


And reached the landmark red Nakabashi Bridge. Here instead of houses, more greenery lined the river.


We started heading back, but not before making a quick stop to try the renowned Onigiri (rice-balls) at Kiyo Musubi Riceball. These rice balls wrapped with shiny, crispy Nori are made by several Obaachan, ie Japanese old ladies.


It was a quick but good ride. Now to head for Shirakawa-go.
(Click here for a Relive Video of our ride)


Takayama Morning Cycling Route Map:
Chisun Grand (Takayama)>Kaji Bridge>Miyagawa Morning Market>Sanmachi Historic District>Nakabashi Bridge>Chisun Grand (Takayama).
A short morning ride at Takayama, visiting a riverside market, and exploring the old town.
(Click here for the Takayama Morning Cycling Route Map)


Driving via the Tokai Hokuriku Expressway, our route took us up hills and through several tunnels.


At Shirakawa-go, we were enchanted by the Gassho-style Houses sitting serenely at the foothills of the Ryōhaku Mountains.


After parking our van, we crossed the Ogimachi Suspension Bridge leading to the village. Visited several places such as the Shoro Gate Bell Tower, the Kanda House, and the Wada House, etc.


Back at Takayama, we had a very good Hida Beef at Hida Takuma.


The very well-marbled Hida Beef looks delectable, no?
Suffice to say, it was the most expensive meal of our Japan holiday.


Closed the day with a spa session at the hotel: went for a hot jacuzzi, and a super hot sauna bath.
Have to burn off all those fat from our eating binges! Hahaha!

素晴らしい一日でした！
(That's "Subarashī tsuitachideshita!", "What a Wonderful Day" in Japanese)

(For more photos of the Day 5, Click Here)
This is page 5 of an 8-page blog, Click Here To Go To Title Page.
< D4: Takayama                 |                Go to Other Days          |         D6: Osaka-Dōtonbori >
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