We are staying in a converted Temple in Takayama, called Zenkoji Temple. Our room is complete with futon mats, and not much else as seems to be the Japanese style. The walls are literally paper between us and other rooms, and our doors open up to a lovely view of the courtyard garden, wild and overgrown, with a tiny pond in the middle. Tommy, the master, gave us the run down on the Temple and on town, and even showed us his "very precious" brochures of restaurants in the area. Even so, we opted just to eat lunch in Shiroyama Park, circling up a hill until we reached the takayama Castle ruins. These really were ruins-there was hardly anything there! I was pretty much devoured by all the mossies - for some reason they seem to think I am all too tasty, yet they don`t touch Johnny! I curse them all to mossie hell..... Still, the warm, golden light of the sun setting through the trees and onto the red autumn leaves on the forest floor was def. worth a few (hundred) bites! We had a wonderful view of Takayama, and of the mountains surrounding this unique little city/town. Takayama is like a functional museum, still plenty of modern day conveniences, but at the same time it has kept the charm of traditional Japan, lots of little craft shops, sake breweries and random shrines are spotted amoungst the streets. It was easy to just stroll around, and we quickly got to know the area, walking mainly by the Daihachigagawa River that meanders right through the centre of town, next to the San Machi preservation area that is particularly full of traditional buildings. It was really cool walking around San Machi, it really demonstrated Takayama`s strong focus of the arts, heaps of different woodworks, laquerware etc. were on display. We went into one shop bursting with little carved colourful birds - very cute, very kitsch, very japanese. Takayama is right in the heart of the Hida District, so we have decided to take advantage of its proximity to the Japan Alps, and plan to go hiking tomorrow.