Shirakawa: Go!

Another travel day today, and a bit of a complex one. From Matsumoto, we’re headed to the preserved historic village of Shirakawago (White River District). The direct way would be a bus up and over the Japanese Alps to Takayama (itself a lovely town with a historic quarter), then a bus from there to Shirakawago. Unfortunately the bus timetables didn’t line up for our needs, so we took a longer way around: train to Nagano, shinkansen to Kanazawa (home to the famous garden Kenrokuen), and a bus to Shirakawago. Then when we got there, a shuttle took us to our hotel, which was a bit removed ftom the historic district, thought we could get a peek at it.

Rice fields were just starting to be planted.

Emerging from a long tunnel, we were high above the valley Nagano lies in.

Part of the fun of train travel is snacks. Interesting tea drinks from the vending machine and senbei crackers from Matsumoto.

Sound barriers made it difficult to snap pictures of scenery.

There was also a crop that was in waiting for harvest, don’t know what though.

Kanazawa Station bus/train terminal. Need lots more time here!

Traitional farmhouses of Shirakawago – more tomorrow.

Our hotel turned out to be a joint venture with Dormy Inn, the budget spa-hotel chain we stayed at in Tokyo. So it was slightly more upscale than a Dormy Inn though still not as posh as a true ryokan. And it has an onsen bath, which was very nice. Apparently I had reserved a two-room suite, which I didn’t recall doing, but it was nice to have our own rooms again.