Takayama

Leaving Shiragawa-go Village for the next destination at Takayama was yet another form of experience.

What are the adjectives for Takayama?

Peaceful, serene, easy-going, laid back and cool.

Arriving at the place past 5pm was not exactly cool as business in town was not in operation. At five in the evening nobody goes to bed and on top of that there is this miserable feeling that you do not get to feel the place enough.

 So, the moment we deposited our luggage at the hotel. dad and I shot out of our room for the outside. Rain was impending but we were not bothered. With an umbrella tucked under our arms we scoured for whatever we could see of the town.

Why do tourists come here?

For rest and trail walks?

For a visit to a cultural site?

We shall see.

The pristine ethos is every reason why one should pay a visit tot the town.

Beautiful flowers bloom without much persuasion as the cool weather and other physical complements allow them to be exotic. Back home I do not know how much is needed for blooms of this size to happen.

The hydrangea practically flourishes naturally all over the town. Pockets of them cover bushes and fences. You want to hold them in your hands.

 I do not know the name of this family. But dad will definitely know.

Whatever name it carries, it is a splendid sight. It looks as though no effort is needed to reach the flowering stage; that they are naturally formed.

Many commute using the humble bicycle and there seems to be one in every household. That's how laid-back the town is. It is almost like Muar minus foreign workers. Soemtimes while back in Muar for the weekend I can hardly recognise the town anymore.

The teacher in me again spotted a school which is so well kept and organised. How do I gauge? The plot of vegetables within the school compound. It may be a recycling effort and students having ownership to make it work.

Dinner was served Japanese style with a lot of beef; was it of the coveted Hokkaido species? I am not sure. But it tasted good. The leader told us to put on the traditional attire supplied by the hotel called the yukata. I hope I got it right. But it sure was comfortable and easy to wear; casual and comfortable.

Morning came and we saw Takayama at a different angle. However, the bicycle still remains the same. Locals need them to go to designated destinations.

Standing in front of a typical traditional house, you are not surprised at the state of cleanliness here. The virtue of cleanliness spreads across Japan may it be the city or he village; so well taught and practised.

See what I mean? So clean, calm and cool. It truly one of the best places one can retire to. You cycle from one point to another and pollution is low. The town is cosy and you can get almost anything you want. So restful.

 Across the town bridge is a stream with crystal clear water. You cannot imagine any pollution here. You can even notice a koi swimming freely without care. Truly, tranquil and placid. 

The running water from upper streams keep the drains here so perfectly well.

No garbage to block the flow. No stench. Not an eyesore but a memorable sight.

Takayama with its grid-like set up, is an easy place to stroll around and you will not get tired of it.

 Behind is the store that sold all sorts of Japanese noodles, miso soup paste and the sake, all traditional products.

A shop full of goodies ranging from sauces, wines, pastes, cakes, biscuits, pickled vegetables, wasabi crackers and everything Japanese!

So, the serene town even have us posing like nobody's business and an awesome getaway from the hustle and bustle of life. 

It is so good feeling to pose with kitty cat!

Pretty Takayama.

Shiragawa-go Village

UNESCO Heritage Site

An hour away form Kanazawa, this well-hidden getaway has been earmarked as a must see locale.

Going through miles and miles of hinterland landscape, we were blessed with the opportunity to see Japan at one of its best backgrounds. The Malaysian guide who studied for an engineering degree in  a Japanese University related that were going to see a fascinating, quaint village ;  a secret so well kept before UNESCO decided that knowledge must be imparted through the architecture and way of life of this particular clan.

Meandering along stretches of winding road, we nevertheless saw rice fields whenever a low patch came into view. The volcanic soil surrounding the island provides fertile soil for toil and food. The rich rice species makes one crave for at each Bento treat.

The thick foliage covers a wide spectrum of flora and the air is fresh and clean. How some are fortunate to live under such a natural set up. Well, the grass is always greener on the other side.

Soon we approached the coveted village and the first impression that beheld us was the thatched Gassho -zukuri roof feature hardly seen anywhere in Asia. This thatched roof structure reminded us of the village in Wiltshire; the UK though,

Today, the Gassho -Zukuri shelters is turning commercialism. Try imaging of the past when it was left alone; created for indigenous people. The wifi connection here is strong and caters to everyone. 

Nestled in the thickness of a beautiful vegetation, legend has it that a particular clan of people were escaping the wrath of the then emperor and in the escapade form a village which has become a money churning concern today.

"This is a heavy snow area and Gassho-zukuri roofs avoid accumulation of snow. The Gassho-zukuri roofs, built without nails, provide a large attic space for silkworm cultivation. Some large houses have three or four stories and built in the 18th century. One of the largest is Wada-house, please see more detail in Wada-house article quote unquote." 

I found the above excerpt in a google search for lack of details. 

Besides pine trees, the mulberry tree is also abundantly found here and the silk industry is famous here too. People then must be making silk products for use, barter trade and the naught.

The summer flora is so colorful. In Spring and Autumn we can expect the Sakura and cherry blossoms blooming endlessly.

They say in winter this village is like a Winter Wonderland with lights sprouting freely everywhere.

Do try to imagine the snow-capped thatched roofs sitting on snow-filled plains.

This is a typical house found in this place. Apparently, if you want to visit the inside of the house, we need to pay a certain sum or maybe ask for permission? Then perhaps we can see how the villagers function during those ancient times.

Clement told us that whenever it is time to replace the roof, the entire village folks would gather together to do the job. It is a turn-taking process. Many of the younger breed have left for the city and only the older generation is left behind for the quiet life.

The retired will inherit this treasure.

The thatched roof however can also be a fire hazard. An evil act would mean a house burnt to the ground quite fast. On top of that, the wooden houses can collapse quite anytime under a fire. That is why there are many warnings against careless acts.

Shiragawa-go (a mouthful) village is peace in itself and nostalgia is felt. The serene ethos adds a calmness that seems to cling to the visitors. The village is memorable and a new experience.

The historic village.

Omicho Market

Kanazawa's Pride

It is the largest fresh food market of the place.

Why do people need to visit wet markets?

What is there to see; to speak?

When the tour guide says we go; we go see.

If you cannot see any logic behind the visit; look into the finer qualities of how the Japanese live out their values.

 The moment we were led to the parking lot, we smelled discipline and orderliness. The vehicles, well parked in allocated space, showed how polite the drivers were. Our coach fell into the space too and we alighted with the same discipline.

On descent, we notice how well separated the garbage was; each according to its use. Then I noticed a special cigarette disposal container. They seem to think of the greatest details on earth.

Why am I showing this crossing space? It is because the polite drivers all stopped their vehicles in good behaviour allowing us to get across to the market. I was last but nevertheless they patiently waited for me.

It is not surprising to see herbs of all sorts being planted and displayed for locals and foreigners to appreciate. They are careful people; thoughtful too.

The calm morning was greeted by local vendors who were hoping to have the first business from us. Notice the ice cream figurines? Macha and wasabi ones are popular among us.

All along the walkway were stalls of this nature offering goods both sweet and savory. The sweet ones are indeed memorable but the savory ones can cause discomfort to sensitive stomachs as they are pickled.

The wet market is actually quite dry. Believe me when dad commented that he had yet to see a single fly hovering the uncooked meats and vegetables and it is summer by the way. The products must be fresh and well kept. It was a pleasant stroll just like the one in Kazakhstan except it was winter there then. If this is earmarked as a must see spot for the tourist industry in Kanazawa, it must then be a place to be worthwhile a visit. I am not sure if I want to bring anyone around the wet markets in Petaling Jaya.

Pork, beef and chicken are the main meats but not horse meat. Well packed and handled, the Japanese are a fortunate lot for maintaining high hygiene and cleanliness. It is such a pleasure to do marketing.

Surrounded by seas Japan is surely home to fishes of all kinds some of which we have never seen let alone name. The shell fish family ; crabs, lobsters and prawns are fresh and of top quality. Some fish species are alive and you get a swimming catch.

Salmon is really of top notch here; Japan being an exporter of it to the hungry world.

I believe this is the anchovy species. So gigantic and if we were to deep fry you can imagine the taste in your mouth. The catch in Japan is beyond compare.

Oh I was so amazed at the ice shaving machine seen here. It is old fashioned but nevertheless still in good order for use. Hahaha to see it here. They must be offering some ice cream shavings of local taste here. In the refrigerator are frozen sea food of a hundred choices; scallops included. Some of our tour mates bought but Mr Lau never believes in them; so nothing for me.

Mr Lau only believes in what he sees in front of him. So, the Omicho Market is another experience to be kept and blogged so that I will remember it in my older days.

Besides the wet market food, there were some other stalls offering clothes and foot wear for the local consumers. But "the made in Japan" products are still of commendable quality albeit sold in a not so up market ethos. I managed to get a couple of them for daily use and they look good !

The Omicho Market Expereince.