Soaked in Takayama

We managed to miss the rain while traveling, it decided to rain on our Matsuri (parade) in Takayama instead. We were supposed to enjoy 23 elaborately carved yatai (floats) many dating from the 17th century. Instead just as we were leaving our gasshoen (200 year old "praying hands" ryoken (inn)), it decided to start raining. Takayama craftsmen are known for their intricate carvings. Included on the yatai are elaborate karakuri (marionettes) that perform amazing tricks and acrobatics. Hidden in the float are 8 puppeteers controlling up to 36 strings. We managed to see one of these puppet performances between raindrops.

On a positive note, I was able to get some spectacular pictures of the gasshoen and it's grounds before the rain came. We also had more time for shopping for sarubobo (happy monkey baby) dolls and haori fabric in the shops and buildings dating back to the Edo period. At one tailor shop, I mentioned I was a quilter and the shop owner and son presented me with a gift of some fabric scraps.

The town is also known for sake breweries making their rice wine from the clear mountain streams surrounding the town and feeding the Miya-Gawa River which is lined with Sakura (cherry blossoms) and flows thru the center of town, spliting the Sanmachi (old town) from the newer section.
I didn't get a chance to sample the sake, but did buy several bottles to have a sake tasting at home. We had very tasty ramen noodles with hida beef and broth for lunch. Hida beef is famous as the cows are given massages and feed beer to provide the tastiest meat. Man, I'd love to have the life of that cow...

We also managed to find a secret ninja house ( complete with collapsing ceilings and hidden doors and staircases) masquarading as the Hida Archaeological Museum.

We realized we didn't get enough yen (many places only take cash). So we tried to get some money from a bank with ATMs we discovered while wandering around town. Unfortunately, couldn't figure out how to get it to take our card. A local lady happened into the bank lobby. She didn't speak any English, but she grabbed our ATM card, went up to the bank tellers, asked where a machine was that would accept foreign cards, and insisted on guiding us across town, well it's a small town, but still a good 15 minute walk from where we were, and she didn't even conduct her banking business before starting to lead the way. She would only accept our heartfelt thanks for her help! Our very own good samaritan!

Left town for our next city, Nara, with bulging bags of souvenirs and soaked to the skin. But still have fond memories of Takayama!


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