Japan 2020: A Walk Through Takayama's Old Town
The second day of my trip started off with an inaugural ride on the Skinkansen - paired, of course, with my first ekiben (駅弁), or railway bento. I love how these inexpensive takeaway meals, in Japan, have always reflected the seasons.
We arrived in Takayama, a city in the mountainous Gifu prefecture, sometime in the mid-afternoon. After dropping our bags off at a locker by the station, we set off for the old town’s main street, and a taste of countryside Japan.
We visited a miso shop, and sampled some soup. I remember its aroma wafting up the pot!
Back on the street, an array of shops I could easily get lost in.
Someday, I would love to be in Japan, perhaps returning here to Takayama, in time for a local festival. I imagine that behind these doors emerge the most amazing wooden floats!
I popped into a shop that specialized in chopsticks, made from a variety of natural materials, tinted and showcased like fancy fountain pens in a high-end department store. Naturally, I had to buy a pair. 😊
Time for a sake tasting!
It really is kind of like walking in a sepia-toned dream.
