Takayama

Taking a bath

We described our previous hotels as basic but meeting our needs.  This one in Takayama is at the other end of the spectrum.  Fancy from entry to the special bathing facilities for men and women.  Our room is larger but Jerry much preferred the desk space earlier as he could comfortably sit and work at the computer.

Jerry:  We have arrived at our final destination before returning to the good old USA.  We started our stay at the hotel with taking a bath, Japanese style.  The custom is to shower first, completely wash yourself then get into a large tile tub with a bunch of other people.  Honestly, Jerry had the experience and does not intend to do it again.  Sitting in hot water with several other naked men is not his idea of a great plan but, having done it once, it was crossed off the bucket list

Anna Lee:  I am not a shvitz person but our hotel offers a hot bathing experience so I tried it.  It was relaxing for the brief time I stayed.  I don’t plan a repeat.  I do think the two-piece black “pajamas” provided by the hotel are comfy but I don’t intend to wear them to the dining room as other people have.

The original plan was to end the trip in Tokyo to catch the plane back to the United States.  Searching the net however we discovered the Shinto Autumn Festival (Hachiman Maturi) that is the largest festival in Japan.  It happens that this festival falls on October 9 & 10 this year.  That was enough for us.               

The festival is celebrated by music, dancing and other observances but the big activity is to have floats carried through the streets but as many as 80 men.  It is the only time that the deity, who resides in the floats, is brought out for the people to see.

Unfortunately, this morning many of the activities were cancelled due to rain.  We could still see the floats but they were kept in the storehouses.  Still impressive.

There were several children's groups that participated playing drums and other clanging instruments.

 

We then went to the float museum where five antique giant floats are kept.  They are huge, carved masterpieces.

Lunch was fish served in a lacquer box.  Great taste too.

We were treated to a Lion Dance.  

 Old Town Takayama, where the festival is celebrated, is the home of traditional Japanese crafts.  The woodwork and lacquer work is beautiful.  

  The Old Town is along a river.

 

The streets were filled with people despite the weather.

Observations:
                                   
Everyone wears tennis shoes here.  The exceptions are the women dressed in kimonos or wearing really fancy heals.

The streets are litter free.

School children dress in black pants/skirts and white shirts.  Many groups of them have matching school hats.  There are groups of children visiting museums and shrines throughout the country.

We have met and talked to people from Australia, Canada, Bulgaria, Israel, New Zealand, Italy and more.  All are friendly and, at home, the conversations probably would have led to longer friendships.  Being of a certain age does give one freedom to be more outgoing.

People will go out of their way to be helpful even when the language is an issue.

 This is a great country to visit and two weeks was too short.