Day 1 and 2 ~ NAGOYA, TAKAYAMA & SHIRAKAWA-GO

We were back in the land of the rising sun, Japan.  Our 3rd time, and 1st after the 2020 pandemic that shut the border for 3 years.

We have toured Tokyo and Osaka before (feel free to click on the link below to check our Tokyo and Osaka holidays)

Tokyo 2016

Osaka 2017

For 2023 we headed to Nagoya and Kyoto.

With my boys all grown up and all, it was okay to skip the tourist trap theme parks: Universal Studio Japan, Tokyo Disney Sea and Tokyo Diney Land. 

We have decided to take the less travelled Nagoya and Kyoto areas (or so we thought...).

DAY 1

Welcome to Nagoya, the Center of Japan (halfway across Osaka-Tokyo)

Mainly know as an industrial hub and home to Toyota and Mitsubishi, Nagoya unknown to many is also a city rich in history and culture. 

We arrived at Chubu Centrair International Airport early afternoon and made our way to Nagoya City via μ-SKY ~ Chubu Airport to Nagoya Station. Travel time was a little under an hour.  It took a bit of navigating skills using the trusted "google map" we were arrived at Ibis Styles Nagoya (our home base in Nagoya City).

Ibis Style Nagoya

The hotel's location is about 5-10mins walk from the Nagoya Station (but can be quite a stretch if you are travelling with small kids or seniors).  

The rooms were small (as is expected of majority of hotels in Japan) but clean and very functional.  

The hotel staff were friendly and cordial.  I made a booboo booking, but they were able to do a workaround (and saved me some shopping money).

We rested a bit, before heading to the first list in our agenda... dinner with friends...  

Our friend met up with us at the Nagoya Station to dine at YabaTon Matzusakaya

At Yaba Ton, we ordered the recommeded Teppan Tonkatsu (with their signature red miso sauce)

Coffee was at Komeda's Coffee, a well-known "full-service" coffee chain in Japan that originated in Nagoya. I was quite full, from our dinner at Yaba Ton, but I can't pass an order of the English toast with red beans (ummm... delicious)!

We made our way back to the hotel our own via subway, posed a bit with another of Nagoya's famous meet up areas, the Nana Chan Mannequin.

DAY 2

Today is excursion day: Takayama and Shirakawa-go, which we got from Klook.  

This tour is a full day tour (via the Meitetsu Bus line) that starts at 8am.  We left the hotel at 7am and made our way to the Meitetsu Bus Center.  

We were joined by an English speak tour guide assistant to help non-Japaneses speaking tourist (that's us, hehehe).

We had quick stop at the Hirugano Kougen Service Area, which turned out to be a taste of one of the creamiest icecream we have ever had.  Hubby got second servings.  

Takaya is about 160km from Nagoya, which is about 2hours bus ride.  This city is famous for its beautifully preserved buildings and traditional houses.

Ah, so much to do with so little time.  An entire afternoon touring Takayama would have been wonderful.  

Lunch was at the Takayama Green Hotel.  We were served a tasty (and beautifully prepared) lunch course which includes the town's famous Hida beef.

Off to our next stop, the Shirakawa Village (a UNESCO world heritage site, and see the traditional houses).

This is place is picturesque and breathtaking.  Pictures do not do justice to its beauty.  

Overall, I would say, this tour is convenient and hassle-free. 

We would not have been able to visit these areas at such short time on our own.  Having said that, it would have been better if we were able to stay longer and experience Takayama and Shirakawa-go more.   Unfortunately, we only have 9 days (including travel time) in Japan and there is not much time really.

  

Follow our Day 3 tour of Nagoya City (up next)

Day 3 ~ Nagoya City Tour

Day 4 - Inuyama