Takayama Market

Today we got up early to hit the market before it got too busy. We got there at about 7:45. Our guide yesterday told us not to eat anything before going as there are lots of things to try. Quite a few of the vendors had little souvenirs, some had food you would purchase for cooking at home, and some had little things to buy to try. We started off buying some little donut things which were either plain or filled with mochi. Both were good.

Our next course in the market were these little jars that were warmed up that really tasted like creme caramel, yummy. Followed this with a salmon and wasabi, and a meat/beef rice ball.

We then found a path to the Shiroyama Park, a nice walk around the hill where the castle once stood. Lots of signs to watch out for bears, definitely not my favourite thing to see. We saw a few locals out doing the walk, looked like part of their daily exercise routine. A nice walk as the weather looks terrible for later today, so good to get some exercise in.

And finally we stopped for a cherry ice cream and a salted caramel ice cream. Great breakfast done.

Walked back to the apartment, starting to raid a little. We get a load of laundry done, our last one for the holiday. Rest up a bit and then decide to hit up McDonalds for lunch. Andre had been told about a good soya burger from someone so we decided to try it out. Girls had teriyaki chicken burgers, all were good. After lunch headed over to a large grocery store and picked up things for supper and breakfast tomorrow. It is raining out now, and going to rain much harder later today so we took advantage of it not raining out too hard. A quieter and a bit more relaxing day today. Making plans for tomorrow.

Our AirBnb is the black one between the withe and yellow ones. I don't think the trains are running because we have not heard any

What $250K Canadian buys you

Another clock frozen in time, not sure what for,  very nice little street 

Long legs

Long arms

Another wooden carving

Morning market, get there early and it is not busy at all 

Where we bought our little heart shaped donuts

Our little creme caramel puddings

Our rice treats

Another wood carving

Lots of information signs around town

First sign post we have seen that looks like this, looks like a little shrine

Poster of all the floats for the festival

The main street has covered pedestrian walkways lined with shops

Old town before the rush of the afternoon

Rooftop bar will not be busy today in the rain

Love these guys on the roof

Our walk around the old castle grounds, the castle is no longer...

Cherry blossoms are just at the very start here in the mountains

Cool trees, but the first temple we have seen that really needs some TLC

View of town from the castle hill

The river divides the town in 2, there are many bridges you can choose from to cross from one side to the other

Hated the bear signs, they were everywhere

Lots of these boxy cars in town, Wendy liked this one.  Wonder if they will ever make it to Canada, most seemed to be electric

Wendy calling the police to say they took me to bear country!

Tulips are out on one side of the street

Andres type of cone

Cherry flavoured ice cream, special for this time of year

Andres salted caramel

McDonalds menu, glad there was an English button on the self serve machine

Andres Samurai Burger, and little ketchup pack.  Fries basically the same as home, drink choices were really different

Family going into McDonalds

Rice balls at the supermarket

Beer is outside, bet that would never work at home!