Yes, I make this gag every time. No, I’m not going to stop.
I’m going to that place again.
I make it the rest of the way to Takayama in the morning, pick up another rental car, then drive to the town. It is… busy. I mean this is the first time I’ve visited when it’s not the middle of winter, so I shouldn’t be surprised, but it’s clear that they get a lot of tourists – the place is full of them. A friend’s girlfriend is actually from here, and it’s honestly hard to imagine actually being a local. Then you remember that this is the old town, and the real (functional) town is an expansion just north of here.
I spend a good time wandering around the place, taking in everything in its un-snowy form. It’s at once familiar and completely foreign.
I think the best part of all this is how quick it is to get around. When everything is blanketed in snow it’s hard to get a feel for the scale of things and where the paths are, and distances seem to stretch out much further than they really are. But now it’s like the fog has lifted and everything is revealed.
The walk up to the observation platform seemed interminable the first time we came here. It was snowing decently as we walked, and it was already knee-deep along the path so everyone was trudging along single file, following a slushy path already cut through the snow, and it might’ve taken 20 or 30 minutes.
In reality it’s only about 500m from the bottom of the hill, and the path is easily walkable in about five minutes when the weather is so nice like this.
That’s me, I’ll be driving today! Okay hopefully the parking situation isn’t crazy…
I’ve taken this route numerous times before, but only ever in the middle of winter. It’s amazing to see it when it’s so lush and green
I bought this orange-chocolate-cheese dessert thing from a konbini at the station and… I really dunno about this one. I like chocolate and I like cheese, but this is a bit too exotic a combo
We’re on the way! I don’t have enough time for the bus between Takayama and Hinamizawa, so I’m trying driving this time. It should be quick and quite convenient
This view… I like this view
And the same view on film. CineStill 400D runs *very* cool, and it seems hypersensitive to greens. I actually don’t mind that at all, but it’s a little jarring to have a retro yellow tinge on things next to minty-fresh greens
The Higurashi ema are perennially popular <3
This signage seems pretty new, it’s very easy to get around now
I took a little detour off the main road to get away from the crowds of tourists. I think this is Myozenji temple based on google maps, but it’s hard to be sure
I had goheimochi the first time I came here, and it’s still just as good. And some icecream because it’s a warm day. I sat there outside the shop and enjoyed my mochi while watching people walk past
Someone’s garden, again with the CineStill 400D
The Kanda house is a little museum with lots of farming instruments and artifacts of what life used to be like. You have to climb ladders to get to the top level here, so it’s a bit of a special view. I think I could sit here and enjoy the view for hours
This is it guys, the money shot! XD
The village is really well kept
If you recognise this house, you’re a real one
Back in Takayama for dinner, and I am *hungry*. I knew I wanted some famous Hida beef so I went looking for a place; touristy is fine, I don’t have the time or energy to be picky
I started with the Hida-Beef Cheese Casserole (in JP as “demi-gratin/demiglace-tan”) and YonaYona Ale…
Then had the 140g filet steak…
And I’d seen a sign outside the restaurant for a premium hamburger, so I had to get that as well
It’s a kitschy little place, but there were plenty of people eating there and I had a good feed, would go back again for more steak & fun
Getting some serious Dhalsim vibes from this guy
This poster was inside a Koban, I guess Japan is dealing with legislation for e-scooters as well. It looks like they’ve gone all-in on the regulation: must be 16 years old, wear a helmet, max speed of 20km/h, max motor power of 0.6kW, it needs a number plate, and a couple other things
I guess this is the old part of town. There’s something magical about just walking along the streets with all the traditional houses
This place is pretty stylish for something that’s well located and not too pricey (12k yen per night). It’s in the older part of town that’s a fairly easy walk from the train station, but the inside is very modern and comfy
