- On our first real Japan Rail journey we caught the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Toyama, then the Limited Express to Takayama.
- Checked into our ryokan with a room overlooking the river. We had a walk around Takayama to get our bearings, then donned yakuta, bathed, and were fed dinner in our room. What a lovely experience. Fortunately, there was more of this to come on the trip.
- Next morning we visited the Yoshijima Heritage House which is a beautifully intact Edo-period merchant building. We wandered on through the Miyagawa market then visited Takayama Jinya (prefecture office built in 1615), and Hida Kokubunji Temple.
- With a great soba noodle lunch on board we spent the afternoon wandering the old streets and walking the temples around the perimeter of the town. Spent the evening bathing and eating.
- Our two nights in Takayama were simply delightful.
