Winter Wonderland Holiday

Over here, the Japanese celebrate the New Year with the same gusto as we celebrate our Lunar New Year. And at Toshiba, we had 6 days of holiday during this period. So we used this opportunity to finally travel out of Tokyo! I must admit that our planning was pretty haphazard and last minute. The two places we decided to visit was Kanazawa and Takayama. Both of these places are about 400km north-west of Tokyo. But more importantly, they are located on the other side of the mountain range which blocks the snow from reaching Tokyo.

Initially, we had intended to drive to these places. However, our last minute planning has prevented us from renting any cars equipped with snow tires. And the bullet train being so expensive (S$300 one way), we decided to travel using normal trains. The initial route planned required 11 hrs and 7 train transfers. However somewhere along the way, we missed one connecting train and from then on, our schedule was pushed back by 2hrs. When we finally got to Kanazawa, it was already 830pm (we left our dorms at 615am).

Kanazawa was the capital of the Maeda Clan during the Tokugawa period and boast of the Kenrokuen, which is one of the top 3 landscape gardens in Japan.

Kenrokuen lake

The Japanese have developed a very advanced level of subjugating nature. From a simple bonsai plant, to an ancient tree, they use many means to shape them to their liking. Thus this landscape park is filled with trees with strings and poles dictating their growing patterns.

The leaning tree


The trees tortured into position...

Only a small part of the Kanazawa Castle is left.

Kanazawa Castle


Kanazawa castle moat

It was a nice surprise that it had snowed the night before and there were some sheets of white.

Frosty wants to play...

However, it started to rain and coupled with the cold temperature, it was a real mood dampener. We had braved the rain and walked to a temple street to look at the temples, but alas, they were all closed for the New Year period. This moment is surely the lowest point of the trip (the wet socks ain’t helping either). So we decided to head for the Samurai street before going to the hotel to dry up.

There are rows of traditional houses along Samurai street where all the samurai’s stayed during the Tokugawa period (supposedly including some very historically famous Samurais).

After freshening up in the hotel, we went to their shopping district. Prices here are definitely cheaper than those in Tokyo, and I snapped up a pair of Doc Mart for S$75(wet socks no more I hope).

It was New Year’s Eve and we had a gathering at one of our rooms to usher in the New Year together. But this gathering was more of a television session with everyone glued to free-style martial arts on TV (sigh… I miss having those with you acswo guys).

We got up bright and early the next day and checked out of our hotels. The New Year sure isn’t bringing Ivan any luck… he lost his camera somehow…

On our way to the train station, we witnessed a marathon in progress… weird that they have one on the first day of new year, but that’s how it is here.

Marathon in the snow

And it started to snow too, except this time, it was really dry snow that resembled little Styrofoam beads (They bounce too when they hit the ground!) And all through the snow, the race goes on.

It is a 5 hour journey to Takayama. Somewhere halfway, we transferred to a cute single cabin train.

Along this particular train ride, the scenery transformed dramatically to sheets of white. Seeing so much snow sure perked us up, and I really felt like a kid again.

The problem with taking photos while traveling is that the windows keep fogging up! So here a special effect on my shot…

sfx snow scene

At Takayama station, 11 Singaporeans spotting the widest grins on their faces rushed out to get their hands on the snow.

Smileys on our faces...

We probably looked super sua gu to the locals but frankly speaking, we didn’t really care… The streets are literally snow covered and the roads are covered by a thick layer of ice. Perhaps it was fortunate that we did not drive here. After lunch, we headed to check into our youth hostel. The youth hostel is quite cool as part of it is a temple.

Temple in the youth hostel

The internet listed this hostel as ‘dirty’ but we can find no fault with it. The toilet alone is of hotel standards… if this is dirty, I wonder what is the Japanese interpretation of the word clean.

We explored the town for the rest of the afternoon. At night, a few of us had a nice chat by the fire with 2 Japanese (the girl was really cute) 1 Indian guy and a French girl (in our halting Japthanese and their bad english). Then we had our ‘ofuroba’ hot bath in the communal bathroom. Point to note… never take one when you have flu, or you will end up feeling faint like me. Nevertheless, it was nothing a night’s rest can’t cure.

The next morning we trekked up a hill in an attempt to see the ruins of Takayama castle. The snow for most parts were knee high and we had to trek single file, but we had a good time having snow fights along the way.

View of the town below us

When we finally reached the submit, we were somewhat disappointed that the ruins were blanketed by snow. There was a small pavilion near the submit, and the snow, nature and silence all coupled to get me into an emotive mood. Perhaps its best just sitting there for eternity with the one girl that was truly meant for me. But the other guys had enough of this seemingly snow covered wasteland and begrudgingly I headed downhill with them. But trust me… I will be back… and the next time this paradise will be just be for the 2 of us…

The peaceful pavilion

In the afternoon we walked out of town to the Hida Folk Village, a UNESCO designated heritage site. This village is a collection of all the different types of traditional ‘Gashou’ houses built.

Hida Folk Village

‘Gashou’ is the term for the way hands are clasped when praying at a temple and refers to the steep roofs of this village to prevent snow accumulation. The houses here are definitely authentic and visitors can actually enter and explore the houses built without the use of nails.

The next morning, we headed home before sunrise. By then, we were perhaps a little tired of seeing snow already.

Takayama train station... start of the long road home