RHS'69
Tomodachi Tour IV - 2019
Day 10 comes to a close.
Time to check out and hit the road. Next stop, Takayama to see the historic Shirakawago Village.
The Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan or Festival Float Museum comes next. The Takayama Festival, held in spring (April 14 and 15) and autumn (October 9 and 10), is ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals. Back to the hotel for dinner. Take a coat - it's cold.
Tomorrow brings another day, another city and another hotel.
Tomadachi IV - the fourth tour to Japan is two weeks in length. We have three reporters covering the trip: Lani Harrington, Vincent Yim (RHS'69) and Bobby Imoto (Kalani'69).
This is a "rolling blog" so each day's events are posted as they come in. Check back often for the latest.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Events added daily through Monday, March 11th
Takayama Weather for today
40 F (Japan 12:00 AM)
Predicted:
11:00 AM 46 F
7:00 PM 38 F
Precipitation 90%
Expected:
2:00 PM 90%
Possible light snow
Humidity 92%
Wind 3 mph
Today's Quiz
What is it?
Toilet Paper Rolls
Breakfast
There's always a line.
The Shirokawa-go Village is famous for its farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old.
They are described as "constructed like hands in prayer", as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The architectural style developed over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter. The roofs, made without nails, provide a large attic space often used for cultivating silkworms.
It's possible some light snow flurries will greet the tour today.
On the road to Shirokawa-go Village.
Sometimes you are struck with what you got. These were shot through the bus window but rescued by some fancy, expensive graphics software and hard work.
Good for us.
Rainy, cold, windy and the possibility of snow ahead - but there they are.
Lunch time.
Wanna guess?
Yes indeed, ramen for everyone.
Festival Float Museum is the next stop.
The Takayama Festival, held in April October is considered one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals.
The museum stores some of the elaborately decorated floats that are several hundred years old and beautiful examples of Takayama's legendary craftsmanship.
The kanji characters used to write kaiseki literally mean "bosom-pocket stone". The idea came from the practice where Zen monks would ward off hunger by putting warm stones into the front folds of their robes, near their stomachs.
Today, kaiseki is a type of art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colors of food.
Kaiseki is often very expensive - but probably not tonight's dinner. Kaiseki dinners at top traditional restaurants generally cost from 15,000 yen to upwards of 40,000 per person. That works out to about $150 to $400.
Then this happened...
They secretly signed a birthday card for Iris to surprise her at dinner. Seems it was her husband, Blaine's, birthday and not hers.
The card was already sealed so Bobby read all of the well wishes to "Iris".
Remember, it's the thought that counts.
We tried to find out who messed up so we could publically embarrass them.
No one would talk.
Headed for a new hotel, a different part of Japan and a visit of sorts with Mt. Fuji.
Kaiseki or kaiseki-ryori is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. The term also refers to the collection of skills and techniques that allow the preparation of such meals and is roughly equal to Western haute cuisine.
This was found at a reststop enroute to Takayama for the night.
The dark blob at the bottom center is a statue of Buddha.
Photos/video by:
Bobby Imoto Kalani'69
Lani Harrington RHS'69
Cheryl Osumi RHS'69
Vincent/Wendy Yim RHS'69