Hida Furukawa Town, Hida Kamioka Town, Toyama Igaya Town
On the first day of the 2023 Japan Kurobe Tateyama three-day tour, thanks to the plum rain + typhoon outer circulation, I took the Nohi bus from Takayama Station to Hida Furukawa Station. Because of the drizzle, there were almost no tourists, so I enjoyed the traditional wooden buildings left over from the Edo period alone. Starting from Furukawa Station, I came to the Araki River to observe how turbulent the water was, which could cause the JR to be unable to run (hahaha), and then I discovered the representative red Kasumigawa Bridge and Imamiya Bridge, as well as the hot spring hotel Hatsuzankan (the gate was open, there was no one, I sneaked in to take pictures), the Honkoji Temple and Shinsoji Temple on the banks of the Araki River are also very eye-catching. Honkoji Temple has the largest main hall built of cypress in the Hida area. I specially unloaded my luggage and walked up the steps to worship; Shinsoji Temple is very special. It is a temple for men and women in love to pray. There is also Entsuji Temple protected by sea turtles. There are turtle carvings on both sides under the eaves of the main hall. The pine trees and Japanese garden landscapes in the three shrines are each beautiful with their own characteristics.
[White-walled storehouse] is a traditional architectural style that was popular from the Edo to the Meiji period. Hida Furukawa has the Seto River running through the ancient town. In addition to experiencing the history and life culture of the ancient streets, you can also go and find the 12 "yatai" (places for portable shrines and floats) of different Furukawa like me. The Sanbanso Yatai burned down and could not be rebuilt. I gave up two because I did not walk to Keta Wakamiya Shrine. I found six of the remaining nine yatai, namely Sankodai, Seiyadai, Qinglongdai, Fenghuangdai, Jinguidai, and Kirindai. Each one has a different door shape, pattern, design, and shape, and is worth collecting.
After leaving Furukawa-cho, I took the Nohi bus to Kamioka-cho, which prospered due to the mines. On the way there, I found out that there was Kamioka Castle to visit and I was full of expectations. I never thought that Kamioka-cho would have streets similar to those of the Showa era. The nostalgic atmosphere led me to stroll to Funatsuza, an activity center that simulates the Funatsu Theater next to the approach to Otsu Shrine during the Taisho period. The crossbeams are made of natural wood from Yamanomura in Kamioka-cho. The Japanese space can be rented for various banquets, performances and exhibitions. The beautiful venue makes people feel more elegant. Next to it is Enjo-ji Temple, which was built in the Kamakura period. After several fire disasters, the current main hall was moved from Hoju-ji Temple in Shiroyama, Takayama City in 1929. The bell tower, stone pagoda and streets outside the main hall are integrated into a small town with a nostalgic atmosphere.
Kamioka Castle stands on the hill of Kamioka-cho, facing Enjo-ji Temple. Only the moat, stone walls and wooden structure of the simulated castle tower were built in 1970 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Mitsui Metal Industries Kamioka Mine. In addition to precious Kamioka-cho historical materials and Japanese weapons exhibitions, there are terraces on all four sides of the third floor overlooking the streets and alleys of Kamioka-cho. It was raining on the day I came here, so I had the entire Kamioka Castle to myself (the gate was open, no one was there, and I slipped in to take pictures). If you are interested, you can buy a common ticket for "Kamiokandoka Castle", "Mine Information Center" and "Former Matsuba Family" (470 yen for adults) to learn more about the historical rise and fall and changes of the mountain city of Kamioka. Then, if you visit on a sunny day, you should be able to feel the prosperity and bustle of this mountain city 50 years ago.
A one-hour tour of Kamioka Town is really not enough. I calculated the bus time and waved at the Kamioka Castle Station. The fare from the Kamioka Sales Office to Itoya Station is 200 yen no matter which station I get on and off. It's really generous! The driver, Abe, only took me today. He wanted to introduce the scenery along the way to me in Japanese, but I don't speak Japanese. After 50 minutes of winding mountain roads, we arrived at Inogani Station (the intersection station of JR Central and JR West Japan), which was opened in 1930. The wooden station and the old-fashioned station nameplate exude a sense of time. When I stepped out of the station, I first saw the red arch bridge across the Jinzu River on Inogani Kasugahara Road. I tried to walk to the other side. It seems that there is a hiking trail for hiking. I met an enthusiastic old lady who talked to me in Japanese (ah, I really don't speak Japanese). I was shocked again. Fortunately, my daughter got off the bus to save me. We talked in simple English. They treated me to bread and I shared my trip to Geibikei in February. The woman was worried whether I could reach Toyama Station or not, and kept asking the driver to take good care of me. I didn't know that this adventure would also make me exhausted. I fell asleep soon after getting on the bus and was not awakened until the crowds of people in Toyama city who were getting off work poured into the bus. It was almost 7 o'clock when we arrived at Toyama Station.
If the JR train hadn’t stopped, I would have arrived at Toyama Station at 12 noon, spent the day in downtown Toyama, and also visited Doraemon at Takaoka Station!
But the JR station was closed, so I could only go to Takayama Station and change buses to Hida Furukawa-cho, Hida Kamioka-cho, and Toyama Itoya-cho, and stroll alone in the mountain towns far away from the hustle and bustle of the city!
I can buy relatively cheap air tickets, but I can't buy weather forecasts. How can I know that a smooth red-eye flight to Mingguya will change at eight in the morning? But I like this challenge and am intoxicated by this adventure!
#2023 Travel Review
#Japan Three-Day Flash Series