Shirakawa-go and Takayama 2014

The second day brought us to the Meitetsu Bus Station which is located adjacent to the Nagoya JR Station. It is a confusing labyrinth if it's your first visit to Japan but it's alright, just make sure you that you are there early and follow the signage. You will find the bus station.

Well, the preparation part for this section of the trip was pretty difficult because I was trying to find a direct transportation to Shirakawa, without making a stop at Takayama as I thought the route will be suit my schedule since I will be making a stop in takayama anyways before I make my way to Kyoto. Yes, my aim was to save time and cost. 

Sure, googling around tells me that there is a direct bus which goes to Shirakawa from Nagoya but the links did not get me there. When it did...it was in Japanese ( http://www.gifubus.co.jp/highway/ )! But thank god there's Google Translate ;)  

After a few round of attempts, I have managed to reserve my bus tickets!! 

So everything was set after that but when we board the bus, I found that I might be acting a little too kiasu for the great length that I took to make sure I have a reservation because, the bus was not at all packed and some passengers just buy the tickets before the scheduled departure. Perhaps, October is not a peak tourist season.

Anyways, still...it is a good practice to make advance reservations to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Ehem.

The journey to Shirakawa took approximately 3 hours. It was a long ride with a 15 minutes toilet break at a rest area along the highway. The driver was very professional and we felt safe throughout the ride even though there was a near miss-accident at one of the many corners towards Shirakawa. I'd would actually blame it on that on-coming car which was going a little too fast at the bend. 

The electronic board indicated the fare at each stop and you bet it. Looking at it doesn't help because it made you can't wait to reach the destination

It might be due to a holiday season? We saw a number of big bikes along the way...particularly like this angle of the bike..

The view from the observatory deck. It was a 15 minutes walk from the town area and 30 minutes climb up hill. You can opt for a bus ride but we enjoyed the short hike. I think the bus ride would be at no cost and you can hitch one at the station near to this hill. Get a map from the tourist information counter at the bus station, it will make it easier for you to navigate around.

I am being weird but this metal drain cover is one of my favourite things there

And you wouldn't believe it if I tell you that the above is taken from a drain there. It is so clean that fishes can swim happily in the drainage system...I'm sorry for my manners but you don't get to see this in Kuala Lumpur. You only get tiny guppies and water sliders....and aedes mosquitoes...

Shirakawa is a charming little town and our day was spent strolling around and taking in the view. 

Here, we have decided to stay at Hisamatsu Ryokan (reservation was made with Japanese Guest House at the price of ¥18600/night for two person; breakfast and dinner inclusive) and it was the best choice. Reservation has to be made early because this ryokan can only accomodate so much with its 4 guest rooms. 

A lot of ryokans in Shirakawa has already closed up their hearth and so, for the obvious reason, I have chosen this ryokan for the experience of dining by the hearth, sipping tea on the tatami and sleeping on the futon bed. Hisamatsu has a long history and sleeping in the house, your steps have to be light during night time because the shoji screen is the only one thing which separates you and your room mate. 

Anyways, I did get a wonderful experience- there was only one heater in the room and in the morning, you can practically freeze in the room (only applicable to people like me; living in a tropical country for life...a cold morning like that can get me frozen). 

The meals prepared by the owner were awesome. You can request for a vegetarian meal if you have a need for that but just keep in mind to not drink the soup because anyhow, the soup is made from fish broth.

It is amazing to think how older generations live in the gassho houses. It sure going to be uber cold during winter and with those wooden walls and paper screens...how do they keep warm?

The hearth is now reserved just for decoration and boiling water. Be warned, you will get pretty smoked up after your meal by the hearth.

A good night sleep after a warm bath in the hot spring down the street. You can get a discount from the owner and the entrance will only cost you ¥500. Remember to bring along your own toiletries when you are heading there...I didn't when I went because I was too green, LOL. It was interesting or not that I have to ask the patrons what to do when you are in a public bath... *shy*

Sighs, reminiscing that night, it was a relaxing walk back to the ryokan after the bath, strolling on the empty street and stopping on the way gazing the night sky...

On the next morning, our journey continues with the next destination: Takayama. It is super easy to drop by the bus station and board the Nouhi bus at the designated time. Again, of course, it is best to reserve your seats on the night before your departure. Here, we stayed the night at Takayama K's House. If you are a little lost, just take the junction at the petrol station opposite the bus station and from there, walk straight on. You will find the hostel with no difficulties. We took the road after the petrol station and yes, we had to ask around to finally find it. Hehe....

As seen above, we have made a good choice yet again. The hostel was strategically located, 5-10 minutes walk from the bus station provided that you didn't (accidentally) took the longer route. ~__~;

The typical street view that you will see in almost every visitors' blogpost..HEHE..

We spent our day roaming the old town and the morning market on the next day. It is not a huge town, for us and a one day trip is actually quite sufficient. Here, I would recommend to those who would like to buy home some miso paste to buy it at the morning market- the price is lower.

Another recommendation is to buy fruits and other local food in the grocery store near to the old town. We got some great deals with the juicy grapes..*hearts* only ¥300-400 for a generous bunch.

Yea, saving wherever you can if you are on a budget trip because it helps to ease the train ticket to your next destination; me? KYOTO! 

I didn't plan too much on the transportation for this as I can't get much information on the train transfer. It seemed to me then that I have to rush for a few transfers along the way to Kyoto without having to go back to Nagoya station again. That's right, I don't intend to detour to Nagoya station again to get a direct train to Kyoto.

Confusion..confusion and when you are confused, the backup plan is to play it by the ear and figure out the way when you are there. LOL...so far that works and we got the JR train time table at the tourist information counter and voila! We spotted our ride- the Hikari #36.. At a whopping cost of ¥7130.

Oh well...there we go...

Shouting,"Kyoto! Here we come!"