Pauline in Asia: Japan alps

I left Tokyo last Sunday after only 3 hours sleep (the party was very good, a bring-your-own-booze-party organized by some expats) and actually I felt a bit sad about it. But what I visited next was awesome as well, although very different from Tokyo.

I went to Matsumoto, known for it's beautiful castle, and indeed IT IS beautiful. I stayed in a Japanese style hostel for the first time, sleeping on a futon bed (which you have to make yourself from a thin matress, another softer layer and then sheets and blanket). Apart from the castle, I didn't see much from Matsumoto, because I went on a day trip to Kamikochi for a walk in nature. Autumn is a popular season because of the nice colours of the trees, but unfortunately I'm a bit too early and only a few trees have turned color (beginning at the top of the mountains and progressing downwards). On the other hand, the temperatures are very pleasant with on average 25 degrees celsius in the afternoon.

Matsumoto castle by night

At Kamikochi

Kamikochi

Then from Matsumoto to Takayama, which has an old traditional city center and where yesterday and today the autumn festival took place. At least it was supposed to be two days. Yesterday, however, due to rainy weather almost all activities were canceled. They have traditional floats of over 300 years that they don't want to be damaged by the rain. But I met some nice people in the hostel where I stayed and we enjoyed the day walking around, tasting a lot of traditional foods at the morning market and many different kinds of sake at the breweries (never thought there are so many differently tasting sakes).

Eating Hida beef in Takayama (Hida is the region around Takayama).
I was so hungry and it was so delicious that I could eat it all :P

The Japanese indeed eat a lot of rice. For breakfast, lunch and dinner (although you also have many other options for dinner, like different kinds of noodles), but also they make rice-wine (sake), rice sweets, rice salty snacks... Almost the same thing for soy beans actually ;)

Lady at Takayama morning market selling flowers

Last night was my first night to sleep in a real Ryokan. It's a traditional Japanese hotel and it had natural hot springs (both inside and outside) at the hotel which you could use 24 hours a day. It was a great experience! I got a kimono to wear, soaked in natural hot water both in the evening and next morning, had my own tea in my room and got a delicious Japanese breakfast. And of course slept on a futon in my room with tatami mats on the floor (google if you don't know).

Does a Kimono suit me?

Onsen (natural hot spring) at Ryokan in Gero

Today I returned to Takayama and this time the weather was great and I could enjoy the festival and also went to see traditional farm houses in an open air museum. Now I'm just relaxing in the hostel with lovely owners (a couple with a very cute 1 year old son). Tomorrow I'll head to Kanazawa (to stay there just for one night) and then to Kyoto.

I was also searching the internet a bit to start reading about Malaysia/Borneo but I still get lost a bit in all the information since I don't know anything yet about what you can do/see there. So I'll postpone again....