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Takayama, also called Hida-Takayama, has a really unique and cozy atmosphere that we did not experience anywhere else in Japan. Narrow cobblestoned streets lined with charming old wooden houses and a nice and calm river that runs through the city, Ryokans, hillside shrines and temples, Onsens, and several museums makes Takayama a real must-visit place … Read more
Jerry
on Living Like A Samurai At A Ryokan
I have stayed in a Japanese Rinzai monastery. Know the feeling.
I like to have my family experience that type of living.
Raffaele
on How To Take Onsen – 10 Steps To Japanese Hot Springs Bliss
Thanks a lot Espen,
Absolutely loved your 10 steps and made me laugh, slightly reminding me of my first time.
Mine has now been a while ago (about 13 years ago)...
Maria
on Following In The Footsteps of Samurais – Takayama, Japan
Hi Kiri,
Thank you so much! Wow, great that you are taking your kids on a trip to Japan! They will love this amazing country!
You should at least stay...
Kiri Biggs
on Following In The Footsteps of Samurais – Takayama, Japan
Hi Maria, We are really enjoying your travel blog while researching for our trip - Hopefully mid-November - (next month!). We are a family of 4 from Australia (kids 11...
Mutlu
on The Japanese Village Time Forgot – Shirakawa-go
Hi Maria, Thank you very much for your reply. Will do
Mutlu
We ‘re only about 50-minutes from the city Takayama, but it feels like we have stepped back in time, back to the Edo period and the highlight of Japanese culture. A time of shoguns and samurais, a time that has inspired countless books and movies.
While in Takayama we stayed in a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese Inn, where we took Onsen and had delicious authentic Japanese cuisine consisting of many small dishes.
The international Teddy Bear Museum is the cutest museum we have ever been to! Can you imagine stepping into a house packed with thousands of fluffy cute teddy bears from all over the world?!?! Nope, me neither, that`s why we had to check it out while we were in Takyama.
And the museum did not disappoint a teddy bear lover like me! 🙂
The Japanese hot springs bath or Onsen, is one of the great staples of Japanese culture. Naturally gifted with more than 4000 natural hot springs created by volcanic activity, Japan is the hot spring enthusiast dream destination.
While visiting an Onsen is an essential part of any visit to Japan, the Japanese have their own ways of doing things. Learn all the Onsen rules here to avoid the embarrassment!