Matsumoto Castle Japan - On the bike again..!

Friday morning, a wonderful big breakfast made by Midori, and it's time to pack up the bike and start heading south.

The quintessential Mum - making sure I have something to eat on the road..  ;-)  I love it..

Grandpa checks out the bike.

I try my best to explain that pannier is where my computer lives..

They gave me some more detailed maps, since my Garmin gps does not work here.. but wonderful Hiroyuki decides to take a day off work and escort me to the next town on his KTM 640 Adventure!

He has several bikes to choose from..  there are 3 more not pictured here, 2 of them are in the house! The ones he and Midori rode on their 15 month honeymoon..

First stop is to get me some motorcycle insurance.. I had great advice from an American born Japanese rider about details for riding in Japan.  On his website..  http://www2.gol.com/users/chrisl/japan/

Everything worked well except one, and that was insurance.  I printed out his pre-made request in Japanese, and after 4 shops in Tokyo and many phone calls to other shops from my helper in English at a hotel, we got nowhere.

So today, with Hiroyuki's help, we got a "No" as well at the first shop, but the second shop came through.. Hallelujah!

And how cool is this guy at the shop!!

Off we go on the most gorgeous mountain ride!  I have never ridden in mountains before.. so I was a bit slow.. as usual!  Very steep downhill hairpin turns, with all my gear was something to be careful about I reckon!

The amount of concentration needed for all the gear shifting and speed adjustments and trying my best not to go over the edge.. it was scary!  I think it is good for the brain to have to be calculating that much, so the brain doesn't get too lazy... this is how I justified sticking through it when it was getting a bit tough.. ;-)

I wish I had photos along the road to share, there were that many "wow!"  moments along the way.. the snow capped mountains, massive waterfalls, gorgeous little alpine villages with old traditional Japanese homes... what an amazing ride!!

If anyone is planning on riding to Japan, this was the most beautiful ride ever, and I highly recommend it!!

I will share this photo, even though I shouldn't.. taken by Hiroyuki..  it just made me laugh so hard - not much I can say to defend myself....

Finally made it to a little town for a fuel stop..

We then ride into Matsumoto, an interesting town with a bit of history.. Matsumoto Castle..

Matsumoto Castle (Matsumoto Jo) is one of four castles designated as National Treasures of Japan the oldest castle donjon of which remains in Japan. Because of the elegant black roof, Matsumoto Castle is sometimes called Crow Castle.

Hiro explains to me that Japan used to be divided into over 100 little countries, and the Castle had an Emperor and many warriors for protection. 


I seriously don't understand how the warriors could fight effectively wearing all that metal.. 


As usual with Japanese custom, no shoes on inside!  I take my big motorcycle boots off and thought they held them at the entrance, but we instread put them in a bag and have to carry them..  


Gee whiz I am spoiled, Hiro carried my boots!!  Such a kind man, and as much as I tried, he wouldn't let me carry my boots.. He says, "My job to carry boots, your job to take photos.."  I can do that, but not without feeling horribly guilty!

Thank you Hiroyuki, I really enjoyed visiting the castle, I love history!


Now it's time for lunch!  Still learning for me, Hiro helps me order a hot dish this time instead of cold.. I asked for vegetables, this is what I got..

Mountain vegetables with Udon noodles.  I didn't recognize anything but the noodles, but it was darn good!!  I loved it!  And Hiro ordered exactly what Midori and I had for lunch the day before.. cold Soba..

After lunch, on to our final destination for the day, where I am now.... Takayama.. he knows a man here who has affordable hostel, and with his iphone gps, we drove straight to it... Hiro, can you escort me through the rest of the country please!  It is so convenient!! ;-)

Bike parked at the entry door, put the cover on and settle in..  Hiro has a coffee before he starts the long journey back to his home, back through all those gorgeous mountains and endless tunnels!  I find this a cozy little alpine town, and unpack and head out for a beautiful peaceful evening walk.. Another great day in the life of Sherri Jo...

Nagano Japan - A Day out with Midori

Ok, after school drop-off, Midori wants to show me around.. we decide to go to Zenkouji Temple in Nagano City..

The majority of Japanese people are buddhists..

(Photo:  Sometimes I hate being reminded how bow-legged I am!!)

Anyway, this ancient temple was so big and beautiful made of wood.

Some info I looked up: Zenkouji is a non-sectarian temple whose religious leaders (a priest and a priestess) share the responsibility for rituals. It is not affiliated with any one particular sect of Buddhism so all are welcome, regardless of gender, creed or religious belief (for this reason, amongst others, the temple was a centerpiece during the 1998 Winter Olympics). Its hidden image is the focus that transcends idol worship, howsoever the faith is practised here.

This is the guard at the gate...if everyone is accepted, his services might not be needed, but he is one good looking figure!  Such nicely carved muscles!!.. :-)

After visiting the temple, Midori wants to show me her favorite ice cream shop.. we order Green Tea Ice cream.  As a long time lover of green tea, I'm in!

Next we are off to Soba noodle shop.  I love Soba noodles, and I cook with them often in Australia.  Here they make the noodles in the window and then we went in for lunch.

Midori explains the Japanese favorite soba style is to eat it cold.. the waitress looks at me and explains to Midori in Japanese that most foreigners don't like soba cold, so Midori asks me if I prefer hot soba.  I told her I want to experience culture competely and by doing that I want to eat what she eats!

Cold soba it is!!  And I liked it!!  It comes  on the bamboo strainers, and Midori teaches me the best way to eat it.  A little side dish with onion and wasabi, you add to you soy sauce.  Then dip the soba in the mixture, and more or less slurp it into your mouth..

They kindly ask if I would like western cutlery, and I said no.. of coarse!  Not the first time I used chop sticks, but not being good at it, I was slow, but I did it!  It was a really good lunch, so much filled me right up!

But wait, there's more!!

On our way back to the car, Midori wants me to try one more thing.  On the way out from the temple, there is a little side building where many Japanese people were sitting.  We decide to have a taste of what they are selling, and it is a really yummy fermented rice drink, with a side of tea.

How I made room to fit that in too I don't know, but we did it..

A real authentic taste of Japanese food... thank you Midori!!  I have been here a few days, and even though most restaurants have pictures of what to order, I still don't know what it is, so I tend to go back to my tuna or egg sandwich for 2 bucks at the 7/11 shop.

Now I can order my food with confidence!!

Next we stop by Midori's parents house.. What a lovely couple!  As soon as we arrive, her Dad is speaking away to me in Japanese, I don't understand a word of coarse, and he gets up and takes us over to his game table.  I'm not sure if he was asking if I know how or want to play?  But then his wife came over and it was game on..

 

(Photo by Midori)

Dad very intently plays the game... Mum is able to play the game, hold a conversation with Midori hardly looking at the board, and still wins!!

Midori explains that she is glad they play this game as it is good exercise for the brain power.. they also make hand painted greeting cards and origami.  We didn't stay long, but they so kindly gave me lots of Japanese treats.  Hand made cloth sandals from Dad, a red cow good luck charm I wear on my belt, and another red cow origami from Mom.. I am getting a full experience of Japanese culture and truly loving their lifestyle!

Last major Japanese experience of the day, I do not have photos to show you... sorry, but we were naked!!!

She took me to a Japanese Bath House with hot springs..  very common all through Japan, being such a volcanic area.

So after a long hot day, a good soak in the spring water does my body good...

After the bath it's out for another meal to Hiroyuki's favorite sushi restaurant.  I did not grow up on fish, and raw fish is a challenge for me, but I did try one as promised..

Luckily they make a nice salad and vegetables..  I was okay with raw fish, but one was enough.. and after that huge lunch today, Sherri Jo is well fed by the Nagahara family!  We fit a lot of authentic Japanese culture into one day, I am amazed how gracious they are to show me so so much! Thank you for the experience!