saikin.

Just a note to say I have not forgot about my poor, pathetic, lonely, little blog, but I have been busy racing around Japan (life's tough), and in my spare time have been writing assignments for my Australian university, so have not had the time to write or organise photos and whatnot. Hopefully some will be appearing soon though! Until then, happy summer to those in the north, to those in the south - keep warm! 

ryokan.

I have finished for the semester! I leave tomorrow for Okinawa, but wanted to quickly post about Bec and my trip to Takayama. Takayama is in Gifu Prefecture, but way up in the mountains. We chose to take the scenic route via train.

Rebecca wanted to stay in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn), so we checked in and changed into our yukatas. I didn’t realise how much the walls made everything glow, so didn’t change my settings accordingly, sorry everything looks a bit… yellow.

Breakfast and dinner was included in our stay, all of which was set up in our room for us. We were extremely excited when dish after dish began being placed on our table. What was a real surprise was the accompanying video camera. The owner of the ryokan came in and began speaking to me in rapid Japanese. From what I could gather, she was asking permission to do some filming for promotional material. Having agreed, I sat very self-consciously attempting to make appropriate small talk in Japanese. I did not do very well.

Nonetheless, eventually they seemed to get what they wanted and left us to enjoy our feast. It was absolutely magnificent, but I will write more of that another time.

After dinner, Bec and I sauntered off to the ryokan’s onsen. Returning to our room, like magic our dishes had disappeared to be replaced by futons. Unable to resist, we sunk into them and slept soundly. 

atsui.

No photos today, as no photo is capable of truly expressing the horror through which I am currently suffering. Summer has hit Gifu. And the heat. Oh, the heat. Yesterday, when coming home from church at five in the afternoon, it was still 34˚C, and stayed above 30 well into the night. Today, we hit 37˚C, and it looks to be only worse from here on in.

If the heat alone were not bad enough, there is also the humidity. A number of days have started with a storm, or shower, that then passes away leaving the water to morph into an oppressive and inescapable steam. I have morphed into a strange rodent-like creature, scuttling between air-conditioned areas, being convinced to leave for survival purposes only. I have been trying to stay hydrated, but it seems no matter how much I drink, I still end up feeling like a wilted flower. 

Every day, I long for the beach, yet every day I once again am faced by the cruel sight of the surrounding mountains, caging me in to my overheated prison. I know it is winter in Australia, but I still feel many of you will be able to sympathise with my anguish. When I get back to Sydney, I will go to the beach every day for a month straight and recite to it the lovesick poems I currently write in my fevered haze. 

Until then, the heat is dictating my life, leaving me no opportunity for attractive photos or fun adventures. Nonetheless, I hope to write soon of more happy subjects! Until then, for those of you in Australia, feel a little less sad about the drabness of winter, summer isn't so great for me either!

gujo.

As aforementioned, on the weekend I went to Gujo! I went with a strange mix of Japanese, Chinese, American, French, and German people. Heading to Gujo was incredible; I was so stunned by the scenery we drove through. I know that this will reveal my absolute ignorance of Japan, but I had no idea that there were areas that beautiful here, I felt as though I were in the middle of New Zealand or maybe Europe somewhere. The whole car trip, every corner we turned I would exclaim “Oh my goodness! Its beautiful!” In any case, I feel as though the photos below do not do the beauty of Gujo justice, it was impossible for me to capture its vastness on film. I won’t write a lot about Saturday since the pictures explain most things anyway.

On Sunday morning we rose early to climb a mountain. It certainly made me realise that if I wish to climb Mount Fuji whist here I am going to have to do some more training, if I were to attempt it tomorrow I think I would suffer heart failure.

There is an excellent feeling to bagging a mountain (if you can call my leisurely wander up a hill that). Since there were so many trees, the view from the top was still a little obstructed, but the overwhelming impression was of tree-covered mountains. Everywhere.

We slipped and slid down to the bottom of the mountain where we had a lot of fun playing around near a stream until the first leech was spotted and we all decided it was a good time to run home.

The rest of the day was spent wandering in the town of Gujo. Henry was desperate to jump off the bridge, and whilst that would usually be right up my alley, I was feeling unusually sensible and gave it a pass so poor Henry was on his own.

On the way back we stopped at an onsen, which was my first time. Although I think I managed not to look like an absolute moron, I was still told by my friends I must have done it all wrong since I ended up feeling exhilarated rather than lethargic. After, I headed back to Gifu with the cool cats.

It was such a nice weekend, I feel so indebted to the people who organised all of it and were so kind to me. Without them I never would have had access to those areas or experiences. Thank you!

hakubutsukan.

Following our frolicking in the garden, it was still a little early, so Julie and I decided that for 300yen, the historical museum at the entrance of the park couldn’t be so bad. I’m a bit of a sucker for museums, but even so I thought it was quite the bargain. A very friendly curator took us around a section telling us what I’m sure were a number of very interesting facts. Even Julie said she didn't understand half of what he said, so I felt better about my ignorance, but he gave us candy so I was pre-disposed to think well of him. There are artefacts stemming back to the pre-historic era all the way through to modern times. I wasn’t allowed to take pictures of the older things, but I got one of this gorgeous Datsun.

There were even things for people who think staring at old stuff is boring. There was an incredible to-scale model of the Gifu area in medieval times (complete with binoculars so you could appreciate the intricacy) and a number of activities to do. I chose to try my hand at some traditional ink artwork where you layer colours to make a picture.

Best of all, Julie and I got to go into an imitation Japanese house and try on traditional Japanese clothing. I was devastated that the lighting was so poor and I only had my phone, but you get the idea of me in my faux-Japanese form.

After tearing ourselves from the museum, Julie and I finished our day in the way we always do – udon and purikura.

gifu kouen.

 Last week I decided that three weeks into my life in Gifu, it was no longer acceptable for me to have no idea about what there is to see and do in my city. Therefore, I rallied the troops (consisting of Julie), and we ventured into central Gifu. As it is spring, we decided to visit Gifu Kouen (the city park). It is a shame it is a good 20-minute bus trip to reach it, or I would be tempted to spend a lot more time there. The park lies at the base of Mount Kinka, upon which Gifu Castle is perched. I have been told that the castle is the number one must-see of Gifu, but have not yet made it there. Although there is cable car access, my pride dictates that one must conquer the mountain by foot, and I have not yet found the time. Instead, Julie and I went for a leisurely stroll.

It is such a beautiful and tranquil park; there are ponds and vines and trees and flowers  and giant koi everywhere. Magical.

We spotted a mascot that we thought to be the Gifu mascot, but turned out to be part of some kind of campaign. Amusing nonetheless.

Following our visit to the kouen, our adventure continued, but you will have to tune in tomorrow for the second instalment (it's a good one, I promise).