Takayama

We had a more relaxed morning, though we had to repack and fit what we’d need for the next 2 nights into our small rucksacks. We had a walk up many levels of escalators to the roof garden for a view of the city. Our hotel is part of an enormous futuristic station complex, with many malls of shops and junk food cafes.

We got a bullet train part way, passing through one large urban sprawl after another, then changed to a local train to head into the heavily wooded mountains following a river with several hydro electric power stations. A lot of blossom was out.

Our ryokan is on the outskirts of town, and is a traditional building. Our floor is matting and the mattress and blankets were piled up for us to make up. We have kimonos and slippers.the communal showers and hot tub are 2 floors below. Dinner was most interesting. So prettily presented. The main taste is of pickle and vinegar. I have had no ginger or wasabi which we’d get at home. Sticky rice and miso with noodles as well as a lot of root veg and tofu also feature. The brown curvy bits in the little red bowl are fern flowers. The can of beer is not authentic.