It was then a ~2 hour drive to Takayama!
We stayed at TAKAYAMA OUAN.
Quite an old hotel, (20 yo?), right next to the train station, but a bit far to walk to the old town ~800m. Ouan has a 'no shoe' policy, being a Ryokan, it was 'the best' in terms of no shoes. As most would know, I would prefer slippers or barefoot as a preferred option. And the ENTIRE hotel had a no shoe policy, it was pretty relaxing. Room was big, suitable enough. Mattress/pillows were decent too. The selling point of this place was the three private onsen rooms which they had. Cons: the aircon was grunting like a fat hippo and we had to turn it off before sleeping. Fortunately it wasn't that warm.
Map of Takayama. All the yellow area is the old town, quaint shops, morning markets, sake breweries, hida beef restaurants are all within walking distance.
View from one of the private onsens.
Our hotel was walking distance to this Ajikura tengoku, http://www.ajikura.jp/. It was recommended by hotel staff and as we were pretty late after the onsen ~8pm, it was apt to try this.
飛驒牛 (Hida beef) from 高山Takayama is the specific name given to beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, that has been raised in Gifu Prefecture for at least 14 months. Hida-gyu is required to have been confirmed and certified as Yield Score of Grade A or B by the Hida Beef Brand Promotion Conference, and have a Firmness and Texture Grade of 5, 4 or 3 as graded by the Japan Meat Grading Association. As a fan of beef, it was going to be 'every meal with beef' or 'go home'!
Yummy images full of animals. I chose a mixed platter of beef and pork chops
Method of booking is the BBQ/over coals type. The flavours of the beef were pretty good, not mind flowing. I didnt' choose any A5 steaks though as they're very expensive and usually too fat/much to finish. The pork turned out more delicious for me.
Day 4: we were up reasonably early, and not having breakfast, it was a very short drive to the river where the morning market is. Full of local produce, it was a nice walk in cool ~22deg weather.
The streets at the old main road of the old town
it was too early to go for Matsuki Sushi, hence we drove a short ride to Keta Wakamiya Shrine (
Kuchikami Sake scene in the movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXe-c8xDQm0
At the start of the stairs where the town of Itomori was preparing to watch the comet.
Keta Wakamiya Shrine (
http://www.matsuki-sushi.com/
Decent prices for lunch. Sushi was average, they're already pre-cut, fyi.
I can't resist the 'top-up' for Hida beef on hot plate. This was really one of the best beef in my life. This best the beef eaten the day earlier.
It was high noon, very harsh shadows making poor photography. Here along the old town with classic architecture lining the sidewalks.
Kawashiri sake brewery http://www.hidamasamune.com/. Specialising in aged sakes, one of the better tastings in Takayama
The range at Kawashiri.
The range at Kawashiri.
ANother popular one at Takayama. Getting tired to remember the name.
ANother popular one at Takayama. Getting tired to remember the name. Very nice aged sake here.
it was ~4pm and we could decide to go back to rest/onsen or try another touristy spot.
it was to the Hida folk village. A post-card like place with local games to play, a nice talk, houses of old to visit. One of the visit of the entire trip!
Entrance fee around 300 yen, parking xxx yen. Worthy every 0.02 yen.
Almost Shire-like!
Post-card perfect grass-roof of old, classic from Shirikawa-go (A famous Unesco site which we'd visit the next day), it seemed that this group uplifted from Shirikawa-go and settled in Hida.
Loving the evening light.
Erm..what did we eat for dinner? We're still in Hida land right?
A5 was pretty expensive, I had the basic set instead. in Sukiyaki style!
Ba-dum tss....
Beef here is better than the first day's restaurant, very beef taste, full of flavours. Very nice indeed.
It was onward to another private onsen, and the slow drift to moo moo dream land.
