Last day in Takayama! I was reluctant to tour Hida-no-Sato, as it sounded like a touristy "folk village". We were pleasantly surprised to find a nearly empty village made up of dozens of traditional homes, dismantled at their original sites throughout the region and rebuilt here. Once you see the home, the "rebuilt" statement becomes a thing of awe. These houses are handcrafted and highly detailed.
Gassho-Zukuri architecture...the steeply slanted straw-roofed houses were built to withstand the fierce snowy winters. The large attic space allowed room to do silk cultivation.
Inside one of the homes. These large homes were inhabited by wealthy families...sometimes 30 people living under each roof. Above is an example of one of the "heaters". Hida-no-Sato keeps the fires burning in each house...it keeps the moisture level correct and the bugs out. It also gives the village a very traditional feel (and smells darn good!). The houses are very drafty, often with cracks in the walls...it was cold even on a spring day. Yikes.
One of many "gongs" we've seen, usually near a temple or shrine. There is a large log that you can swing into the side of the bell.
My lunch. Sorry, I get pretty excited about all the food! I think I take picture of each meal, again, "Crazy American!" We went to a restaurant that has made homemade soba since 1898 (how many restaurants in the U.S. can say that?) This one has Takayama mountain vegetables in it....things with very strange names and flavors....
Love this statue...made me smile each time I went by. On the opposite side of the river was another statue, but with long legs. The original "character" comes from one of the many huge floats in Takayama. (used in one of their festivals). On to Hiroshima!
Last day in Takayama! I was reluctant to tour Hida-no-Sato, as it sounded like a touristy "folk village". We were pleasantly surprised to find a nearly empty village made up of dozens of traditional homes, dismantled at their original sites throughout the region and rebuilt here. Once you see the home, the "rebuilt" statement becomes a thing of awe. These houses are handcrafted and highly detailed.
Gassho-Zukuri architecture...the steeply slanted straw-roofed houses were built to withstand the fierce snowy winters. The large attic space allowed room to do silk cultivation.
Inside one of the homes. These large homes were inhabited by wealthy families...sometimes 30 people living under each roof. Above is an example of one of the "heaters". Hida-no-Sato keeps the fires burning in each house...it keeps the moisture level correct and the bugs out. It also gives the village a very traditional feel (and smells darn good!). The houses are very drafty, often with cracks in the walls...it was cold even on a spring day. Yikes.
One of many "gongs" we've seen, usually near a temple or shrine. There is a large log that you can swing into the side of the bell.
My lunch. Sorry, I get pretty excited about all the food! I think I take picture of each meal, again, "Crazy American!" We went to a restaurant that has made homemade soba since 1898 (how many restaurants in the U.S. can say that?) This one has Takayama mountain vegetables in it....things with very strange names and flavors....
Love this statue...made me smile each time I went by. On the opposite side of the river was another statue, but with long legs. The original "character" comes from one of the many huge floats in Takayama. (used in one of their festivals). On to Hiroshima!
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