Day 4 - 8 Jun 15

Our day began as early as 7am. After getting ready, we had breakfast at the same room that we had dinner last night. Quite a decent spread.

Next after breakfast, we went for foot bath. Even the kids came along too. (Yu was running a temperature and so my wife brought him back to the room to hopefully get him to sleep). Le tried foot bath for the first time and initially was not very keen because understandably, the water was hot. However, under some encouragement (or peer pressure) from his cousins, he finally dipped his feet into the water as they slowly got climatised.

We went back to our rooms. As Yu was still asleep, I was in sis' room just watching the kids at play. Mei and Le were doing somersault on the mattresses and having the best time of their life. The boys were totally engrossed with games on the ipad. At about 11am, we checked out of Hidatei Hanaougi and drove to Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall. We didn't enter the exhibition hall; we just hang around the area to take pictures of its beautiful surroundings. Next to the exhibition hall was Sakurayama Hachimangu shrine where we also visited and I took some pictures of its architecture.

We ambled along the streets, bought ice cream and ate along the way. Miyagawa Morning Market closed at noon and unfortunately we arrived a little too late (We will be back tomorrow). The market was located next to a river which made a perfect area for photography. Well, some silver lining there.

We had Hida beef for lunch. It seemed to be the staple as long as we are in Takayama. Our whole family had a total of 9 sets (5 pieces per set). Ok, to be precise, each piece was only a thin slice so 9 sets weren't too much. The lunch set was special in that it came with miso sauce as its condiment which made the taste very flavourful.

We checked into Best Western Hotel Takayama. It was about 3pm. Sis' family and mum went to shop around the area while our family all rested, partly because Le seemed to be also running a temperature too. Perhaps, the drastic change in temperature was the cause of it but whatever it was, rest was very necessary and so we did.

After our kids were up, we brought them out for a walk. Most shops closed at 5pm but there were still some convenience stores that were open.

Dinner was at 7pm at the hotel. It was western style and may I add, we had Hida beef again. After dinner, we called it a night and went back to our rooms. So far, I am enjoying the pace of this holiday and I guess partly due to the laid-back lifestyle of this town where people can truly take it slow to appreciate its old charm.