Woke up to light snowfall. Packed and got ready for breakfast and then check-out.
Our room at Korakukan Jigokudani Yaenkoen.
A macaque outside the window. We were told not to open the outer windows because the macaques will enter.
Breakfast is ready
Checked-out at about 10a.m.
Last views before our long walk heading back to the town
The view along the walk
We seemed to be the only walkers carrying large backpacks and there was one man who said something to me in Japanese. I am pretty sure he was referring to the heavy bags and I just smiled and said 'hai', not knowing how else to reply. All along the way, Japanese walkers, mostly elderly, smiled and greeted us with 'Konichiwa' or 'Ohayo'
Finally..end of the walk
After some wait & guessing, we hailed a bus that stopped at the bus-stop. I asked the driver if he was going to Yudanaka station. He replied Nagano station. Even better because we're bypassing Yudanaka station and going straight to Nagano station. Being spontaneous, we stored our bags under the bus (extra charges) and boarded the bus.
At Nagano station, reserved seats were all sold out and we had to settle for unreserved seats and were lucky to get the last 2 seats or else we would have had to stand all the way from Nagano to Nagoya. So begins the long train ride from Nagano to Nagoya (approx 3 1/2 hrs) and then from Nagoya to Takayama (approx 3 1/2 hrs).
Butter sandwich and onigiri on the train bought from a convenience store the day before but wasn't able to finish.
The packaging was the reason I bought the sandwich. I like how it is totally held together. No gap.
Views from the train
Arrived at Nagoya and boarded the train to Takayama. We got seats in the first row, right behind the driver.
We arrived in Takayama at 6.30pm, the sun has set and and we walked towards our accommodation - Nagase Ryokan. Luckily one of the ryokan lady was standing on the street, on the lookout for the late guests (us), and asked (in Japanese) something like where are we looking for etc. If not for her, we would have kept walking past the ryokan.
A quick welcome and in-room dinner (which was quite late according to the ryokan's schedule). I was starving.
A welcome snack
prepared for us. Brought into the room for us at different intervals. A feast for the eyes as well as the mouth.
After dinner, the 2 ladies came in to put out our futon mattress. Nice...
Went out for a night walk and shopping at the convenience store and went back to try the onsen.
Left: The entrance to the ryokan, Centre: Entrance to the men's onsen. Right: Around the ryokan
No comments:
Post a Comment