Monday Dog Blogging

Dog (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

Was it that cold? I don't think so, not when compared to our frigid morning in Kamikochi. But everyone has a different threshold.

Tofukuji - 3

Path, Maple Tree (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

Roofs, Moss (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

Early November. The leaves were starting to turn on the maple trees, but not all the way.

Tofukuji - 2 (Details)

Post Ornament (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

Tile Roof (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

Architectural sightems.

Wooden Doors (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

Tofukuji - 1

Entrance, Maple Tree (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

Pine Tree, Gate (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

We had visited Tofukuji the year before with Jim and Margaret, and had liked it a lot. So we thought it would be nice to plan a return trip just for fun.

We used Kyoto's train system to get there . . . very convenient, but super crowded.

Japan Passenger Train Cars

Kids on Train (Tokyo) - Japan  2024

Mildly Air-Conditioned (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

"Weakly air conditioned car" is the Google translation of the kanji on both of the cars. We were there in November so it wasn't that hot outside. I don't think we noticed whether or not the cars were air conditioned, mildly or otherwise.

Below, an extra shot of train tracks taken in Nagoya station.

Train Tracks (Nagoya) - Japan  2024

Back in Kyoto

Kyoto Station (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

Night Street (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

Finally, the last stop on our itinerary! We stayed in Kyoto at the Hotel Monterey, where we've stayed a few times before. A skewer dinner that night, then a walk the next morning through early morning narrow Kyoto streets.

Morning Street (Kyoto) - Japan  2024

Nagoya

Building Reflections (Nagoya) - Japan  2024

Pedestrians Crossing (Nagoya) - Japan  2024

We've stopped in Nagoya several times, but only to change trains. This time we were catching a shinkansen to Kyoto. Photos taken from an upper train platform using a Sony RX100.

Someday we'll have to actually, you know, go into the city.

Monday Dog Blogging

Dog (Takayama) - Japan  2024

Seen as we were checking out the various shops on this particular street.

Takayama Sightems #4: Cat Statue, Morning Fog

Cat Statue (Takayama) - Japan  2024

Morning Fog (Takayama) - Japan  2024

Last morning in Takayama: chilly and foggy. After visiting the morning market, we checked out of our hotel, walked over to the train station (without luggage, which was on its way to Kyoto) and boarded the train (somehow unaccountably late) for Nagoya.

Takayama Sightems #3: Dried Flowers, Leaf

Dried Flowers, Bicycle (Takayama) - Japan  2024

Maple Leaf, Pine Needles (Takayama) - Japan  2024

I think it was Hali that noticed the basket of dried flowers. Leaf and pine needles were seen walking by moss-covered temple steps.

Takayama Sightems #2: Miyagawa River, Morning Market

Miyagawa River, Sunrise (Takayama) - Japan  2024

Morning Market (Takayama) - Japan  2024

We bought something at the market, but I can't remember what.

EDIT: Per Hali, in the comments: "We got some dried Persimmons, fresh Apples, and Pastries. I think there was one more thing, but I can't remember now."

Takayama Sightems #1: Gate, Flowers, Figurines

Gate (Takayama) - Japan  2024

Flowers (Takayama) - Japan  2024

"Hida-Takayama is one of those rare destination gems that reward the intrepid traveler willing to take the road (somewhat) less traveled. Its commitment to cultural and historical preservation educates and inspires. Surrounded by mountains, it’s a gateway to the natural, untainted beauty of Japan. It’s walkable, friendly, and leaves an outsized impression."

Figurines, Self-Portrait (Takayama) - Japan  2024

Kamikochi: Azusa River

Azusa River (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Hotaka Mountains, Azusa River (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

"The Azusa River is 65 km long with a watershed of 559 sq km, and has its source on the southeastern slope of Mount Yari in the Chūbu-Sangaku National Park. The river flows through the Kamikōchi (上高地, Upper Highlands) valley - designated as one of Japan's National Cultural Assets, on the list of Special Natural Monuments and Special Places of Scenic Beauty."

Our route crossed a bridge over the river and we arrived at the main visitor center. Exploring a short distance beyond the center we got treated to an expansive view of river and mountains.

By this time we were getting a little tired. We managed to get seats on a bus that was just departing for Takayama, where we had a nice lunch at a small tempura / udon restaurant.

Kamikochi: Mountains, Trees, River

River, Trees, Mountains (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Trees, Mountains (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

The sun was pretty low, giving me some nice lens flares.

Monday Duck Blogging

Ducks (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Mallards: Kamikochi’s Permanent Residents

"As you may have gathered from the title of this post, mallard ducks (called 'magamo' in Japanese) have a special quality which strengthens their association with Kamikochi. The mallard itself is by no means a rare species. Of the 130 species of birds confirmed to reside in Kamikochi, though, it is one of only 20 species that winters there."

***

Didn't expect to see them in Kamikochi! (More likely viewed down by the pool or Vik's Chaat restaurant in Berkeley.)

Photo taken with a Sony RX100 digital camera.

Kamikochi Trees

Autumn Trees (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Azusa River, Trees (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Larches. 

"Known as karamatsu in Japanese, larches are endemic to some of the colder regions in Japan. Every autumn, their needles turn yellow before gradually falling off the trees, and growing back the following year to repeat the cycle anew.　They are distinguished from other similar species in that they alone are classified as deciduous conifers. Larches are perhaps the tree most closely associated with Kamikochi in the autumn."

Hotaka Mountains

Hotaka Mountains (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Hotaka Mountain Range Sign (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Eventually the marshy area gave way to more solid ground. Coming out of the trees we came upon this meadow featuring a view of the stark Hotaka Mountain range.

Kamikochi Morning - 2

Frost on Grass (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Trees, Reflections (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Very cold! Actually, it was the last week the park was open before closing for the winter season. This section was wet and marshy . . . boards have been installed for hiking purposes.

Hiking on Boards (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Kamikochi Morning - 1

Pond, Trees, Mountains (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Pond, Reflections (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

We clambered down the slope leading to Taisho Pond (lots of photographers!) and managed to follow the lead of several hikers as we set off through the valley.

Bus Ride to Kamikochi

View from Bus - Japan  2024

Bus in Tunnel - Japan  2024

"Kamikōchi (上高地, Upper Highlands) is a remote mountainous highland valley within the Hida Mountains range, in the western region of Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

"It has been preserved in its natural state within Chūbu-Sangaku National Park. It is designated as one of Japan's National Cultural Assets, on the list of Special Natural Monuments and Special Places of Scenic Beauty. It is sometimes referred to as the 'Japanese Yosemite Valley,' although it is considerably smaller than its Californian counterpart."

After arriving in Takayama after our Tanekura excursion we wandered around the town and ended up having dinner at a nice Hida beef restaurant. But most importantly, we purchased tickets for the next day's 7AM bus to Kamikochi, which had been on our to-do list for quite some time.

Even though we got to the bus depot early there was already a surprisingly long line waiting to board. Luckily, a second bus soon appeared and we got on. We transferred to a dedicated park bus and after a short ride got off at Taisho Pond.

Hiking Down to Taisho Pond (Kamikochi) - Japan  2024

Tanekura Morning

Autumn Mountains (Tanekura) - Japan  2024

Breakfast (Tanekura) - Japan  2024

I got up and wandered around outside viewing the colorful autumn hillsides and the rain-caused mist.

Then, a nourishing breakfast in the inn and a taxi ride back to the Sakakami station for the train back to Takayama.

Train Arriving, Sakakami Station - Japan  2024

Monday Eastern Spot-Billed Duck Blogging

Eastern Spot-Billed Ducks (Takayama) - Japan  2024

As seen in Takayama's Miyagawa River. They've been on the blog before, so it was pretty easy for me to ID the birds.

Tanekura Evening

Tofu (Tanekura) - Japan  2024

Dessert (Tanekura) - Japan  2024

Shinji prepared our dinner over an interior charcoal BBQ pit! Tofu, fish, vegetables, sake and dessert.

(Side note: somehow the photos that I took of the Tanekura Inn's interior weren't that interesting. I need to work on my foreign correspondent skill set.)

Our futon beds were quite comfortable, plus it rained quite heavily during the night. Very relaxing sound.

Tanekura Inn Room (Tanekura) - Japan  2024