Ichikokutochi Tatebachaya is an integral part of the Nakasendo's historical infrastructure, dating back to the Edo period. Wow..imagine stepping into history, sitting at where the killer samurai have sat
And me leaving my evidence that I’m the second Singaporean who hiked this route today.
What I enjoy about this walk is 森林浴, immersing into nature.
It’s quiet except me swinging my bag vigorously to make my bear bell noisy. As I had mentioned this is high human traffic trail, I was never alone for long. I would sing to make noise when I am alone. Crazy when I’m lost for ideas on what to sing. Once I suddenly belted out “teddy bear teddy bear turn around” and continued with “I’m going on a bear hunt”
One of the bigger waterfall - Odaki waterfall. Although on the walk there it wasn’t crowded the moment I reached the waterfall I saw more than 15 people there. There were 2 Japanese young kids and so well behaved, it was so quiet except for the gushing water. Reduce stress, reduce stress. Actually going on this solo is already stress-less. I wish I could stay there longer coz it’s even much cooler there but …. Ah nia hear the water gushing also feel like peeing already, my last toilet break was 2hrs ago and I had been drinking lots of water since.
Made into Tsumago at 4.09pm. They’re supposed to be closed at 5pm. My goodness! You know what? I need to do this trail again and make sure I reach the place earlier next time. A supposed 2-3hrs hike is 6hrs for me as I made a lot of photo and video stops.
Many shops are closed. In the end I didn’t get to try my soba. It’s a deal, I need to make this trip again.
Bought a bus ticket to make sure I catch the train in Nagiso back to Nagoya. All these research were done during my planning so I knew what time the bus would depart from Tsumago
I’m all alone here. Yup! This is the last bus.
Bought this at Tsumago.
Had 35mins to spare so took pics, pee (toilet is so clean. And I had to purposely sing song inside just incase the residents think no one is in there and lock me in), walk the huge area, stretch legs, drink water etc..
On the 5.41pm bus
As we were nearing Nagiso Station, I noticed huge rocks in Kiso River. A huge workshop attracted my attention with sculptures lining along the road, that reminded me of the massive marble sculpture shops in Da Nang
These looks like granites to me.
Researched back in hotel checked that indeed Nagiso is famous for its abundant granite.
I didn’t make any train reservation for the journey back coz I didn’t want to fully commit the time, not knowing how I’d be after the hike. But I knew I wanted to catch the last Limited Express Shinano. I had all the research done in my planning. Worst come to worst I can take the local train but it’ll be longer and more stops.
Nagiso - a quiet place. I can KIV this place next time for an overnight stay before proceeding to somewhere else.
Nagiso Station - has no one selling tickets and the lida Line doesn’t use Suica. The station wasn’t manned, people can simply walk through as they left the gate opened. Saw a staff on the opposite side to ask him how to get tickets, am I suppose to collect anything here and if I am able to get ticket onboard. Basically Japan works on a trust system, can someone lie to them that they got up from the next next station to pay lesser?
Staff told me train is arriving soon and hurried me over so I ran over the bridge to the platform. Yup! In times of emergency heck the knee pain. That was the last express train that passes by Nagiso to Nagoya so 怎么样子 had to get on it. I ran into the train, ok as long as I’m in the train 其他的事可以慢慢做。Ah-nia ran into the nearest door which is the reserved cabin. 😂. I went into car 2 then asked a guy where is the non-reserved cabin. He told me it’s car 5. I assumed I had to walk in the same direction the train is moving to car 3 coz in my quick glance when I ran into the train I only saw one car behind. I cannot open car 4 back door to walk through. What?! So I made the decision to run out of car in next station and then run back into car 5. (Pray hard the stop is long enough for me to make the run) Wah piang eh how come it feels like the car is so long? I haven’t reach the car yet. Really one gila woman re enacting a Tom Cruise movie. Knee pain also had to run for my dear life, if not train leave me behind. So drama 😂. Happy that I ran into car 5, panting like siao which goes to show how fit I am. I sat down at one empty seat catching my breath, turned to look behind me - RESERVED. What the?!?! Where exactly is the non-reserved car? Asked the ladies seated behind me, before they can answer me the train master came so I asked him.
Just an idea how far I’ve already travelled before he came to me. So far, that far that I can’t unzoom the map to show both Nagiso and Nagoya, I’m already reaching Nagoya.
So I’m thinking if someone decides to cheat and say they boarded at a nearer station, are the staff able to check?
I was busy typing into Google translation and he saw one part of my question. He can speak english! He replied me and that saved me the hassle of using google translate. Non-reserved is car is 7 and 8, he asked if I wanted to go there. In the end I was lazy to move and told him I got into the train at Nagiso (or maybe they already noticed this gila woman running into the train twice 😂) Checked with him if the seat I’m sitting now is available, if it is I’ll buy a reserved ticket. Payment of ¥2890 only by cash.
The ladies behind me are so friendly. One of them tapped me on the shoulder and said goodbye to me, the other 3 did the same. When they alighted they turn and waved to me and I responded back. So cute! おもてなし-ing to me.
I’m so freaking tired! And the reason why I reached hotel late was cause I stopped by the train station to have a nice きしめん + コーラ。コーラ has never tasted that good. I desperately needed sugar to replenish whatever I’ve lost.
What?! Only 21000++ steps? I thought I had walked more than that!
Deep Relief to my rescue
Then laid the wrong side of the bed and propped my leg up against the bedhead. (I used to do that when I was flying too. A few times I dozed off on the bed with legs propped up 🤣. Sometimes waking up the next morning or few hours later ankle sored from putting feet on hard surface for so many hours 😂. I solved one problem but created another problem. Oh! Another way for me to relief my tired legs after walking to Europe or NZ is to scrap out some Vicks into bathtub filled with warm water and soak my legs in. Good luck to the next guest who decides to use the bathtub 🤭)
Anyway, I played relaxing music and dozed off for maybe 20mins.
It’s 6th June @ 1.08am, obviously not asleep yet. Wanted to see what the Japanese have for sore tired feet. And saw this. Oh yah! I totally forgot about this, I came across this long time ago. I don’t think I tried it or maybe I did.
There’s another foot patch which I bought before many years ago that has some cooling feel, maybe I can find that tomorrow.
Maybe there’s a reason why my hotel is opposite Bic Camera 😉, Japanese can come up with so many things I’m sure I can find something useful tomorrow.
My thoughts on my accomplishment today. You may think what is 7.8km but to me it’s damn huge achievement. I’m looking forward to do the Nakasendo again but I’ll need to check again on bear activity before I make my decision to go. Want to hike but I also want my life.
Edited : I completed a 21:31mins collage on 2nd July. Suppose to be a highlight but everything became a highlight 🤣
Did another one in December, click HERE to view.
6th June (Fri)
Late start - left at 10am after i settled my luggage. This is what i have in my luggage to be sent over. That’s it! Technically I could have used che-che’s samsonite luggage but I knew I had to buy some snacks back for her and it might be too tight-spaced. This is the lightest bag the courier will carry 🤣.
I left my cashmere sweater and winter stuffs in this luggage as I will only need them in the destination where luggage is sent to.
About takubin
I’m not sure if it’s cheaper to do this arrangement in the Yamato 🐈 office itself, but I guess for the convenience of not needing to drag my luggage out in the streets and possibly more complex conversation between me and the staff, I chose to do it in the hotel. I checked with them on the day I checked in how long it usually takes for delivery. They were kind enough to help me make a call to the hotel in Toyama about storage period in hotel since I’ll have 4 nights elsewhere (it’s 3) before my arrival in Toyama. On the day I checked in I showed them my booking, little did I know they took the details down. I checked with them then what is the latest time I needed to bring down my luggage for them, and reconfirmed it yesterday (5th)
This morning : In the morning, they probably handed over a period of few days during shift changes just like how we used to handover aircraft to only 1 person, the moment I brought my luggage down and brought out my hotel booking slip the lady already had a piece of paper with all details written down. They were waiting for me. Yah! That’s how efficient Japanese are! No wonder I love ❤️ the country so much. That kindda explains the speed I was able to finish my errand. Oh man! Just as I’m typing this blog now I am so missing Japan.
Have some dirty laundry that needs to be washed tonight
My handy dandy Decathalon bag
@ 10.19am - Normally don’t eat breakfast but since I’m on holiday and alone ..
ps. I can’t believe when I look at this pic as I’m editing this post on 23rd Dec 25, it just feels like it was yesterday I had this sandwich.
Went to a new place, train ride took 20mins. It’s still in Nagoya but it’s outside and immediately can see that the whole area is not that touristy crowded. Woah! I love!
When talking to the LSS onboard, she mentioned their hotel is near Kanayama Station. I vaguely remember coming across this name during my research and mentioned it’s further away from the main station. She agreed and thought I had layover there before. Wah…. Ah nia resigned 23yrs ago leh! All I remember it was Hilton Nagoya we stayed and I had to walk damn far to Nagoya Castle. Then, there was no such thing as GPS, I had to rely on the paper map the hotel gave me. Seriously don’t ask me which streets I walked, I could only remember the overhead four sides bridge (now I checked it’s near Marunouchi Station). And of course now checking thru, this could be the route I took. I remember walking straight for a very long time.
Can’t remember which year but it was my first NGO layover. Yah! That time I walked 2.3km based on GPS!!! 🤣 and when I reached the castle, it was closed 😂. Met a Japanese ah-pek who kept insisting to give me his watch.
Anyway, when the train I took today passed the station. I noticed Aeon Mall Atsuta is further down. Wondering if there’s shuttle bus to Aeon Mall. Brings back memories on how we would rely on shuttle bus to take us to the town in Narita, shuttle bus to Del Amo Shopping mall in LAX and many many more.
Yah, it’s not a convenient location as what she said. However I was so happy when I saw one huge single storey building, like in US all the huge buildings. The name Cainz caught my eye as the train whizzed past. A check after that, then I knew it is a home improvement shop like Home Depot. Wow! I must make sure I make a trip to a Cainz the next time I come across one.
About Arimatsu
Arimatsu is located along the Tokaido, one of the five major routes during Japan's feudal era.it wasn't one of the original 53 designated stations. It was founded in 1608 as an "intermediate post town" or "ainoshuku" between the existing stations of Chiryu and Narumi to serve travellers and develop the Arimatsu-Narumi Shibori dyeing technique on the old Tokaido Road.
Arimatsu flourished as a prosperous town due to its location and the development of the local tie-dyeing industry
Narumi Post Town (close to Arimatsu) from the “Fifty-three Stations on the Tokaido” Ukiyo-e series by Utagawa Hiroshige
Shop selling tie-dyed Arimatsu-Narumi Shibori fabrics from the “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido” Ukiyo-e series by Utagawa Hiroshige
About Tokaido Highway
In the Edo period there were five highways - with Tokaido, Nakasendo being the most popular ones, followed by Koshu Kaidō, Nikko Kaido and lastly Oshu Kaido.
The Tōkaidō Shinkansen generally follows the coastal route of the old Tokaido, not entirely. At some point there is slight deviation from the route.
I think my GPS knows I have knee pain, showed me a weird way to enter the Tenmansha. Turns out I entered by the back door 🤣 so my photos and videos started with the top instead of the bottom. Honestly so thankful coz I saw the flight of stairs down after that !!
It’s just strange, the walk from the train station to the tenmansha wasn’t even uphill at all.
The bottom and correct way of entering the tenmansha. I took this pic when I came down and leaving the place.
Look at the flight of stairs going up!! So I’m glad I came by the other way, I only needed to walk down which is less strenuous for my knee. Needless to say my video was taken the other way round, so when I do my iMovie I will have to bring forward the later videos to the front and then put the first few videos to the back. This is called cheating. 🤭 ssh
Once one reaches the top, still gotta climb some more.
I was at this level when I entered 🤣
Arimatsu Tenmangu is a shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a nobleman from the Heian period who was posthumously regarded as the god of learning due to his scholarly talents. Since lil’ one has her last paper today I 拜拜 him lor! I 拜拜 in English dunno he understand or not?
Anyway, I think he is = to 文昌爷 who is also a scholar and people pray for academic.
the bull is also a sign that this tenmangu for academic
I love to see the train barrier down. I deliberately stood here just to see 4 trains passing by. Simple thrill.
Was walking to the ‘main Tokaido Route road’ when I heard someone playing the piano and a lady talking. The tune is so familiar. She was asking the kids to sing. Only then did I know there’s a kindy there. Amazing I could make out what she meant just by putting pieces of Japanese words I know (🤣like that also can). The little children singing, well some coz I heard some kids making noises apart from singing. Teacher gave instructions again. So cute! So chaotic. I was singing along to the nursery song downstairs 😂 and I deliberately took binded-feet footsteps.
Nishimachi float house.
In total there are 3 float houses in Arimatsu, they have 3 dashi floats. Yamakasa in Hakata has 7 floats.
So I checked, this year’s Arimatsu Tenmansha Autumn Festival will take place on 5th Oct, the first Sunday of October. No chance to see it at all.
Or maybe I should plan this same trip in autumn so that I can see the alpine route in its melted from snow beauty
Edo-style buildings lining along a single-lane quaint old street, exuding a nostalgic charm.
The street is very quiet. Was inspecting (actually google translating the information board) some buildings when a lady started talking to me. I could understand only a little and had to tell her I understand very little Japanese in my broken Japanese. Funny thing is when she ask me some questions I just answered monosyllabic, rather rude. I picked up the phone and used google translate to converse with her.
She was so talkative lor 😂. Aunty I want to continue my sightseeing leh! she’s still talking to me. Then she did the funniest thing by announcing to one guy walking by (that guy then told another guy) that I’m from Singapore. One guy mumbled some Japanese then he spoke in monosyllabic english to me.
@ 1pm - walking around and saw this. I wasn’t hungry coz of the bread I had in the morning
I was waiting for my order when a customer saw me taking photos of the boss making matcha. She pushed her plate towards me and actioned clicking a camera to me, to take photos. So sweet.
Had a brief chat with them using Google translate. It’s rather stressful for me. Customers came in and they announced to them I’m from Singapore. Who cares anyway? I get it, they probably hardly have any outsiders coming to their kampong. 😂 I like it, I love less touristy places. However I just found it hilarious that in a span of 1 hour I had 3 different people talking to me. If I had stayed one more day, the whole kampong can throw me a welcome party liao
In actual fact, that's how friendly they are if they're willing to open up. I didn't put on my RBF but just smiled back when they smiled to me, they were the first to talk to me which is strange coz Japanese are generally private quiet people.
Anyway the 4 customers + 1 boss continued chatting while I sat and ate and ate coz I tia bor what they were talking about
My order
Pretty boss and friendly lady
They showed me this leaflet for Arimatsu Shibori Festival. No wonder I saw people getting ready pitching tents by the roadside and even camera man came to talk to some people. They were so busy.
Old building with traditional namako walls (sea cucumber walls), characterized by square tiles with raised plaster joints. These walls were designed to be fireproof and weather resistant, commonly found on old storehouses and samurai residences
At 2.11pm - Aeon Town. This Aeon looks run down, unlike the one near Mio’s home. However as long as there’s a supermarket, pharmacy and other shops are there, who cares about it being run down.
So tempted to buy all the body soak but I don’t have bathtub at home 😥
Saw a handsome guy poster and this lao charboh salivate and helped che-che take pics (Che-che always look at posters and take pic, now I’m following her. Actually she’s going to Japan after I return what?!) Messaged her and she told me that is Meguro Ren. Sounds familiar, I have no idea which group is he from.
@ 4.16pm - found Tsutaya at Meitetsu Mall 8th floor. There’s another Tsutaya with a nicer interior display (trying to follow the bookstore in Seoul), but it’s further 🚶🏻♀️away.
どんぐり共和国 in Takashimaya. I was walking in circles two days ago and couldn’t find it at all. Found it now. ✅
I like the dual coloured bag but…. Too many bags at home already
Close to 6pm - I went back towards our hotel, to Bic Camera and found this air compression massager. Since I’m alone, I can go to sections that I want to go. Finally! Usually in shops I have to follow the girls to make sure they don’t get kidnapped, never mind the old man nobody wants to adultnapped him 🤣. I’m not sure if this is something new or could be a product sold for many years, I’ll never know coz I never get to walk and see what I wanted all these years
Gorilla leg massager
@ 6.25 went to place near hotel for makan. Tonkotsuramen not that nice at all. Only paid ¥880 so cannot hiam.
The makan place is really small and I saw a food lift inside (red arrow), the cook is upstairs in a small section (blue box) - he probably only have that one standing or sitting place and the stove infront of him. Actually quite claustrophobic to be stuck there for hours.
Also bought these. The blue packaging was what I had bought many years before. I think I still have some sheets at home 😂.
Didn’t walk that much today
One day late after the long 7.8km walk but it’s ok. I tried the massager and pasted the blue refreshing sticker after my bath. My feet certainly felt light-weighted. Then wondered if I should pack this massager in my luggage for trips to Japan or anywhere else I go? I think I’m crazy coz I need space in luggage for important things - snacks.
Kyusoku Jikan Asahi-Sukkiri Sheet
Meant to do laundry earlier but only went at 8.06pm. Had to take the lift up and down. Realised I needed coins so had to change it at the automated change machine in the lobby. But being kiasu, I threw my laundry into the machine and closed the door, in other words - CHOPING
Staff at hotel is so funny. The guy told me “¥600 to do laundry here. Here 2 hrs whole cycle, outside 1hr only.” I dowan to go out already, later my clothes smelly.
They have this app where I can see the progress of the laundry.
Was suddenly craving for Coke so got one from the machine.
While waiting for laundry, Che-che messaged me
@ 9.12pm - Then I can see how many machines are being utilised. Wow! I hope all hotels with coin laundry can have this.
To help run her task today or not? In the end I decided to get it over and done with. Left hotel at 10.33pm for Ministop. Did video call to check the kind of paper and to make sure I did correct. Did one set then the printer ran out of paper. Haha! Went over to Family Mart to do the tests.
Che-che always hated when I do video call, usually is to show brother or the family our surroundings in public. But this time round she didn’t complain coz her mom was helping her to print some things.
Lil’ one finished her last paper today, so she’s free now. Can’t help but look at her face and pity her that I didn’t bring her with me. But …. I really needed a solo holiday! Tip to self, next time if I have the chance to go solo trip again, I shouldn’t make videocalls to either girls. Don’t be mistaken, it’s always nice to have the girls or hubby with me. It’s always nice to bond individually with the girls, and they’re usually charming polite girls when their expenses are being paid for, however I really needed this solo trip. I needed a break away from any family members.
See that face!
Reached back hotel at 11.19pm. It’s quite happening around the hotel, coz there are some bars. Young men around che-che’s age in suits drinking, laughing. Those were the days when I would go partying, now lao charboh just want to go back hotel and relax. Then I realised it’s Friday today
Took a shower and put her stickers into her album
@ 12.27am - took pic of what I bought from Family Mart. Technically I should be sleeping now but I’m hungry.
While waiting for the instant noodles to ‘cook’, I started packing the laundered clothes. Managed to pack my clothes into haversack. Until I saw my toiletry bag. Omg! Eventually took out the food and massager from my Shupatto bag and opened up the pink bag. Omg! I hope I don’t buy any bulky souvenirs from Gujo Hachiman and Shirakawago. Technically I still have the blue decathalon bag and shupatto bag but better not to have so many loose bags. Later end up losing one bag or two in the bus.
7th June (Sat)
Omg! Just when you think that the time is slowing down for you, you realised it’s time to checkout and go to hotel #2
In the bus terminal, I came across this board and was curious. Ahh…… then found a link during my web search, putting it here so I can refer to it if I plan a trip to this region next time. Honestly I’m beginning to love Nagoya now (and of course Fukuoka!)
With the family we hardly take bus from one point to another, but I’m thinking if I ever do another or more solo trips the bus is another option for me.
The ladies seat again. I think coz I booked my tickets early so I’m assigned the front row.
Bus departed at 8.40am and arrived at Gujo Hachiman at 10.20am.
This restaurant caters to the tour groups. During the time I was there, two different groups of Taiwanese tour groups came in. So noisy!
Souvenir shop downstairs so took some pics first. Send over to the girls to see what they want.
While planning for the trip, I read that it’s not easy hailing a cab in GH. I need to call a number to get them to send a taxi over. Went back to the hotel for help, at the same time to ask if I can book a request with them now for the ride back. I don’t think I want to walk down the winding narrow road. Hotel staff said I can arrange with the driver later.
The driver took me up and I requested for one to take me down on an hour’s time.
GH castle has the old wooden internal structures. When going up the levels, the wooden floor creaked - even louder than my ah ma’s house in Muar. Actually I was wondering if the wooden floor would give way under my weight 🤣.
Wow! I’m treated to this spectacular view of GH.
Did a video call with the family at 2.21pm (1.21pm SIN). Showed them the rapid Yoshida River and walked to Igawa Lane to see kois
I don’t know why but I’m always drawn to vermilion red bridges in Japan. Shimizu Bridge was so quiet, I spent a long time here getting pictures and videos
The nightscapes is gorgeous. Usually I never like to stay out late, but this place is so quaint in the daytime that I had to stay for some of these shots
Had my dinner late at 8.18pm. Chose ayu fish. It’s sweet so no need any sauce at all.
Can eat everything but having brought up in SIN where nobody eats fish bones, I had to leave them behind
Checked in at 5.20pm
Washed up, relaxed a while in the airconditioned room and went out again at 6.37pm
Reached hotel the latest (so far) at 8.46pm
Tried stargazing from room but cloudy 😢
8th June (Sun)
Left hotel late at 10am, almost just in time for hotel to do their room cleaning. Initially wanted to do whatever sightseeing first before souvenir aka ramen shopping but in the end decided to shop first. Even though I knew what to get (photos were sent out a day ago and messaged che-che), it was still a more than half hour task.
@ 11.06am at a soba restaurant. Never regretted going there. Even had soba ice cream.
Before I finished my soba, staff passed me a cup of そば湯 and told me to pour into the remaining buckwheat soup. They call it soup I call it sauce coz I buy the prepack in Singapore. Muahaha! Did a search what this is. xxxx . Wah I throw away the water at home
Tried stargazing again but sigh…..
9th June (Mon)
Decided to go for another quick walk in this small lovely town. It’s really so peaceful here. I love this place. But it’s so small that you can basically finish the sights here in one full day, I had two nights 😉 just so to slowly enjoy it, where I can wake up a little later and take everything a little slower than usual.
Looking at fast flowing river, I can’t help but think the time has really gone by so quickly, I’m already checking out from my 2nd hotel going on to the 3rd. If the time can pause a little slow like the calm Kodara River, we will have more time, I want more time.
I bade farewell to this quaint town, maybe I will not have the chance to come back again. Maybe if I do, I’d like to experience the festival and fight with many others over accommodation here.
My bus leaves at 9.57am and the bus stop is so far away by walking (half hour). Back at home I managed to secure a taxi booking for 9.30am at the plaza to arrive at bus stop at 9.37am. 20mins to wait for the bus I think is reasonable. Taxi came at 9.25am, he was surprised to see me even earlier than him (I was there at 9.19am) which means we can leave and arrive even earlier. I arrived at 9.32am, as stipulated a 7mins ride.
I’m so glad I gave myself ample time (20mins and now 25mins extra time) coz the cab driver dropped me off at the opposite bus stop! The bus stop heading towards Nagoya. Actually it’s also my fault, I forgot to tell him I was heading to 白川郷 or my booking was to that wrong bus stop (?). When he dropped me off, he told me that I had to climb up the stairs to the bus stop. WTH!
Climbed up with the heavy bags and an almost broken shoulder only to see the bus stop doesn’t look right. Thank goodness, a man in suit came up from the stairs and about to pick up his cigarette, I mean at this weird place weird time which not any office worker would leave (I assume his home) for work. 观音菩萨 really watching me! At first he told me I had to go to Nagoya to come back up again to Shirakawago, I didn’t choose that stupid option thus chose to take a bus instead. I showed him the tickets and kept pointing I need to go across, how to go across? I couldn’t run across the highway! Yes, it’s a highway. And really weird to have buses at weird places when I took a highway bus (that’s why they are called highway bus, duh!) from Nagoya to Gujo Hachiman. The correct bus stop is also not on the elevated highway, it was on a slip off exit and then joining back to the highway. So at the place I was standing I couldn’t even see the correct bus stop.
Anyway he finally understood and pointed out to me. For my dear life, I started running down the stairs making “ouch ouch ouch” every step. Luckily, I gave myself 20mins maybe coz I had a hunch I’ll run into silly blunder today.
Huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf, I took a quick video of the backview of the tunnel wanting to speak but couldn’t 😂. Reached the correct bus stop 9.44am, lots of time was wasted during our lost in translation. Now I’m only 13mins early, if only from the start I told the cab driver. Sigh….. My two portable fans came in useful coz I was so bloody hot. 七早八早已经流汗了! I dare not sit inside the bus stop coz there is a spider web in one corner and a poor (I think also injured) insect struggling to climb up the chair. Just hid inside near the door and kept a lookout for the bus. It’s actually quite cooling inside the bus stop but there’s no fan inside.
I noticed that the highway bus would usually just stop for a minute or less and then leave. Ah nia wore red today so surely he can see me. Bus came 3mins late at 10am. I have an empty seat next to me so left my stuffs there.
The bus took us to the Hida Highlands. Immediately I think of the 🐄🥩. 😋 and yay nobody to fight with me.
I checked in after XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Had Hida beef for dinner.
Found a place where we can import Hida beef into Singapore
Video call with lil’ one who wanted to see my accommodation. And then she burst out laughing “mummy it means if at night you need to go toilet, you must come out of your room.” Haha! Yah, she’s not wrong.
Wah….i told her it’s a new adventure as I’m trying something new. Really lor! I didn’t even use that much isopropyl alcohol during the last 5 days, the 6th day today I’ve been using so much in my room. Just some weird flies keep flying around, had some small little insects on the futon, used the alcohol spray as an insecticide. Although it is chilly (no wonder she told me it is usually cold in the night) at 18 deg celcius, I am going to keep the fan oscillating above my head and another standing fan on. This is to blow the dunno what Japanese insects 😄 around me away, didn’t want to swallow an insect or have one fly into my nostrils and ear when I sleep 😂What an adventure! So it means I need to quickly charge my tracker, portable charger and phone so I can unplug and turn on the fan instead.
No TV here, a place where one connects to the nature, where one stays grounded with the bloody toads croaking and dunno what else. Thank goodness they have mosquito net.
Means I will also need to orh orh earlier than usual after trying to transfer some pictures into Sandisk and delete them to save space in my phone.
Choosing hotel
I have better choices near the bus station which makes it easier for me to arrive and depart from but they were at least 2-2.5x more pricier. Western style hotels. But I’m going to Shirakawago! I should experience gassho style minshuku. Reminded me of the time in Nichinan where we had the whole house to ourselves.
At 10.05pm just so happened I needed to go to the toilet, the owner also came out at the same time door from another sliding door near my room - presumably leading to their section of residence - with a facial mask. She was so embarrassed 😂. She came out to turn off a light.
She was so embarrassed and we both giggled in the quiet hall. I’m the only guest in the minshuu, this is not the tourist season so I’m glad in some ways I'm the only person contributing to her income.
First time I turning in. So at 11.20 I laid down on the double tilam as requested, 5 pieces of tissue paper dripped with essential oil. I think tmrw the two owners will come into a lavender infused room to 😂. Must rmbr to remove it tmrw. 4 pieces around my tilam + 1 at the window. Maybe if I managed to repel the insects from my room, I might change the ecosystem for a day? The frogs will have nothing to eat 🤣. And lots of tissue paper trash from this solo guest in just few hours. Most came from killing and catching the damn flies k?!
Kindda regretted but I was between whether I should try stargazing tonight. A check it’s cloudy, still I didn’t make an attempt to at least step out of the minshuu to look up. The whole place should be dark (?) should be a good place to stargaze. Still, I can’t help but think that after stargazing I would need to shower again. Having said that, while planning itinerary I was thinking if I should go up to the observatory in the night. I didn’t! Unless my host could accompany me up and down, wouldn’t want to risk being alone in a dark place. No lighting up there + Shirakawago is situated in mountainous area and surrounded by dense forests. Night time very likely bear activity (?) Yah, though I want to have fun to see as much as I can, I do have to think about my own safety.
My logic on possibly 🐻 activity. After hibernation, likely the bears will come out in spring with their cubs to find food all the way until autumn. I think during autumn they will come out more to eat as much buffet as they can, to prepare themselves/store food for hibernation.
Ate the pudding, only bought 2. I should have purchased more so I can have a set of 6 or 8 bottles to keep
10th June (Tue)
As requested the night before, I was able to take a shower in the morning. Woke up at 6+ before my set alarm clock for 7am. By 7.15am I was back in the room to pack, nothing much to pack as I’ve packed whatever I needed.
Refreshed and looking out of my room window. Alas! It’s raining. I hate it when it rains!
Simple dish - tofu and shimeji mushroom with miso cooking over the nabe.
I’m so tempted to buy this kind of individual nabe. 🤞
~Tranquility~
A relaxing start with a cuppa tea in the morning.
Facing the storm (literally) outside soon. It's raining!!!! It's expected as it's the 梅雨 season.
ごちそうさまでした!
@ 8.23pm - After thanking my lovely host for the stay and meals I bade her goodbye.
Morning stroll to the bus interchange, whole place is so quiet. Before the madness and throngs of tourists jump down from their buses and make their way noisily to the village. Enjoying the view once again, reflections of the triangular roofs in the cutesy rice fields.
Thick sea of mist partially covering the hills. Shirakawa-go has that ethereal beauty. Just like the gassho houses, I shall put my palms together 🙏 and pray that I have the chance to return back to Shirakawa-go soon. In fact I should coz I want to collect more bottles 😂
Reached the interchange at 8.41am. I took a really slow walk. My bus departs at 9.10am so I have more than sufficient time in the interchange. Greeted the driver and he responded back with a huge smile. Just before me he was looking quite pissed at the Asian couple. When he smiled back at me he kinda reminds me of cabin crews who have to put up a smile after dealing with another nasty passenger. She went up the bus and I thought she was sitting on my seat but it’s better to go up to confirm it. When I checked, she asked her companion for their seat number by shouting to him from the bus, I think that actioned startled the bus driver as it did to me. Her male companion turned to driver, who told him the seat number in a harsh tone. Bus driver came up to the bus and shouted at the lady to get out of the seat. He must be damn pissed with them. The male companion didn’t show their tickets and simply wanted to get on the bus which pissed the driver further, first time ever I saw a Japanese man losing his patience. When he got on the bus, the two of them were speaking in a foreign language and so loud without any consideration for the other 8 passengers (myself included)
Reached Toyama at 10.24am, 6 mins earlier than schedule.
Ooh! I love trams in a city and Toyama has them. Bud I didn’t take one in my entire stay
Dropped my pink bag which is so heavy with the packets of ramens and sobas in the hotel and made my way to the train station. Needed to collect my tickets for the return journey and for the trip to the alpine.
Decided to cover some places intended for tomorrow, need to switch the itinerary coz I think 🙏🛐 torlong torlong Buddha grant me good weather for the 12th and 13th. I believe the alps visibility will be superb on 12th as it’s sunny and there’s 0% possibility of rain compared to a sunny yet 30% possibility of rain on 13th. However as I’ve booked tickets for the 12th to the alpine, I can’t touch this day to spend in the city. I shall have low expectations but torlong torlong this could be my first and last solo trip to Toyama, please grant me my wish to see the alps. Though I do have uncovered places around here to give me excuses to come back again but ..for all I know it could be my first and last time here in Toyama.
Useful link : Just like Mt Fuji has a visibility check, Tateyama has one too. This helped me have an idea if I can see the alps from Toyama city (that’s what I’m there for) and plan my itinerary better
CLICK
HERE for the Tateyama visibility check. You will be led to this page
scroll down the page till you see this >> follow the instructions and click on the red click
You will be brought to this page. A link to the page is also included
HERE
After checking those websites then you gotta go down on your knees and start praying to whoever you believe in.
Decided to head back to hotel earlier coz (1) I’m so sweaty and I’m a walking burning charcoal (from the irori in my minshuku). I couldn’t shower after my breakfast coz of the timing so had to ask for permission to shower earlier. Alas! I didn’t have any fabric freshener with me, I hope this hotel will provide one. (2) need to do laundry so want to go down earlier to avoid fighting for washing machine & dryer (3) hoping to find time to clear my more than 34,500 photos from phone. Why so much, some pictures are taken on the move on the bus or when sightseeing I quickly snap a few so haven’t checked through. Some of them do get deleted; some of them I will transfer into the SanDisk leaving just the ones I want to put into iMovie.
current storage
4.15pm : check-in. Reunited with my luggage which is way much lighter than the bags I’m carrying. Courier must be thinking, this is the lightest luggage I’ve carried so far. Haha!
This luggage forwarding is so convenient, of course I’m not sure if it’ll be cheaper if I dealt with the company directly. It’s reasonably priced tho!
5.17pm : after shower went down to do the laundry in hotel sleepwear 🤣.
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