Takayama

Ready for hoba miso

Today is one of those days where my energy levels have not sufficiently recovered from accumulated sleep debt to blog with any degree of finesse. Thus, a pictorial essay it shall be, with words kept to an absolute minimum.

This was my second visit to Takayama and therefore most of the major sightseeing highlights had already been ticked off on a previous trip. Instead, the day evolved into exactly the kind of tourism I excel at: food and shopping.

I was particularly pleased to track down the things I had specifically come hunting for — vintage second-hand kimonos to repurpose and upcycle, along with sashiko embroidery kits so I could continue my ongoing quest of acquiring hobbies faster than I can complete them.

There may also have been several entirely unnecessary bonus purchases thrown into the mix, alongside a slightly shameful visit to Uniqlo. Because apparently no matter how far you travel in search of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, sometimes you still end up buying another airism tank.

Why is there a line for breakfast at 0645 and why am I not at the front of it?

Miya River running through Takayama dividing it into the Old Town and the more modern Western half

Miyagawa morning market

Coffee break

Scrunchies made from vintage silk kimonos

Sanmachi

Lunch at Kyoya. We were only able to get a reservation for 11am. We took it. 

Hida beef cooked on miso and hoba leaves

The staff did the cooking for us because of our table lay out

My set meal

Itadakimasu!

Nakabashi bridge

Ramen for dinner

Most happy with this unexpected acquisition. A pair of earrings made with origami and Japanese lacquer.