Don't cry for me, Takayama

I may have hit the Japan wall in Takayama, but my traveling companion has hit the lintel. About a hundred times. Takayama is the city of very low doorways, including within the ryokan, which has three doorways just in our room. 

Ouch, ouch, ouch. Repeat. 

Everything about life in Takayama is much more traditional, slower-paced, and quieter than Kobe or Kyoto. (And lower-linteled.) It is notable for being full of preserved architecture from the 17th century, which is indeed very striking and beautiful. And it's so interesting to see how Frank Lloyd Wright was influenced. 

I wonder how tall FLW was. 

We walked for hours today, looking at the architecture, window-shopping in local craft stores, visiting some shrines and temples, and occasionally hitting our heads. Well, one of us. 

Picture time:

Here are the bathroom slippers you heard tell about:

Just for wearing in the toilet room. You step into them when you enter and out of them when you exit. 

This was our Japanese breakfast at the ryokan. It was all set for us at the appointed time of 8 am. This was at the other end of the table:

The kimono-clad woman who served us began to hum "The Star-Spangled Banner" and then clapped her hands and said "Obama" with no other context. 

Here is a nice shrine. It may be the last one we visit on this trip, since Tokyo is not so populated with them. 

Here is a cheery fellow:

Assorted food photos:

Lunch: Pizza with an egg in the center. 

We had dinner at a French restaurant (there are many in this small city; not sure why). Prettiest hamburger in recent memory:

Supermarket find of the day:

It's cream in powdered form--what else would you call it?

And final news of the day, for which I discretely offer no photo evidence: I successfully used a Japanese-style toilet.

 

Banzai!