{"id":27831,"date":"2017-06-14T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2017-06-13T23:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=27831"},"modified":"2024-11-25T22:22:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T13:22:53","slug":"hida-furukawa-old-town","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/hida-furukawa-old-town\/","title":{"rendered":"Hida Furukawa : Take A Walk in this Old Town, Wearing a Kimono"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sponsored by Hida City<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Only a 15 minute train ride from Takayama,<\/strong>\u00a0Hida Furukawa<\/strong> is a historical town\u00a0in Hida<\/strong> city that’s worth visiting. You can see\u00a0this authentic and charming village, and\u00a0also have the chance to see the thousands of carp<\/strong>\u00a0swimming in the small canals throughout the town.<\/p>\n

Ten Things to Do in Hida Furukawa<\/h2>\n

The unique experience of wearing a kimono: Obora Kimono<\/h3>\n

It was the first time for me to wear a\u00a0kimono<\/strong><\/a>, and it was such a\u00a0unique experience! Once in the kimono shop, I was quite impressed by the delicacy of everything inside: the colors, the materials, the atmosphere, the women who helped me put the kimono on. The price was very affordable as well, much more so than in Tokyo<\/strong> or Kyoto<\/strong> for example. Kimono rental for one day cost me only 4320 yen. The appointments begin at 10.00 am and you must return by 16.00 to return the kimono.<\/p>\n

\"Kimono<\/a><\/p>\n

First, you have to choose the kimono.<\/strong>\u00a0This was not easy as they were all so beautiful! After looking over all of the\u00a0kimonos<\/em>, I finally decided on one. One of the staff\u00a0told me that my choice was very good as it was quite a seasonal representation<\/strong>. Then I asked her to choose an\u00a0obi<\/em> which matched well with the kimono<\/em> and with my height.<\/p>\n

\"Beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n

I watched their meticulous work carefully as they\u00a0dressed me up. I could keep my top, but I had to remove my pants. I first put on a juban<\/em><\/strong>, a kind of very fine cotton underwear. I did not expect there to be so\u00a0many layers of clothes, and belts under the main belt. They adjusted the kimono little by little, pulling the belts tighter until the garment fit snuggly. It was a real technique! I put on traditional socks, tabi,<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0which allowed me to wear the traditional shoes, geta<\/em>.<\/p>\n

I was ready, I felt wrapped but not oppressed. I felt elegant, and ready to walk the streets of Hida Furukawa.<\/strong> Just before leaving, I grabbed\u00a0an umbrella because it was a hot morning.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\"wear<\/a><\/p>\n

Setogawa River with 1000 Carp and Beautiful White Houses<\/h3>\n

Having been\u00a0decorated in the kimono, I walked along the beautiful streets of Hida Furukawa. I started in the small alleys along Setogawa Canal. <\/strong>The canal is\u00a0lined with\u00a0beautiful white houses which used to be used as granaries<\/strong>. In the past, the canal was very clean, the locals used the water to wash their vegetables. After time, the canal became dirtier. In 1968, the authorities decided to stock it with thousands of carp<\/strong>\u00a0to clean up the canal. Locals love seeing them swimming in the canal from April to November. During the winter, they relocate them to a nearby pond one by one.<\/p>\n

I felt at home in this small village, the\u00a0authentic and charming atmosphere <\/strong>matched my mood perfectly as I strolled along in my rented kimono.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Walk<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Many<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Enkou-ji Temple<\/h3>\n

Enkou-ji temple is located on the canal of Hida Furukawa.<\/p>\n

\"Enkou-ji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Enkou-ji<\/a><\/p>\n

Watanabe Sake Brewery<\/h3>\n

Underground streams\u00a0in Japan Alps are used to polish the rice from which this high quality sake<\/strong> is made. This is why we can visit two sake breweries<\/strong>\u00a0along the streets of Hida Furukawa, including Watanabe Sake Brewery\u00a0where one American also works. They<\/a> were established in 1870, and offer sake tasting for both\u00a0dry and sweet sake. There is something for every taste!<\/p>\n

\"Watanabe<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Watanabe<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Wear<\/a><\/p>\n

Mishima Candle<\/b>\u00a0Shop<\/h3>\n

This candle shop<\/a>\u00a0 has been running their business for seven generations, and is one of the few shops in Japan (less than 10 in total) to make handmade candles from natural plants<\/strong>. The candle master is\u00a0Mr. Junji Mishima,<\/strong>\u00a0and I had the chance to see his workmanship\u00a0in progress, and a chance to see\u00a0the elaborate way he shapes his handmade candles.<\/p>\n

\"Mishima<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Mishima<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Mishima<\/a><\/p>\n

Honkouji Temple<\/h3>\n

Honkouji Temple is the largest wooden temple<\/strong> in the\u00a0Hida area. <\/strong>It is\u00a0very impressive and imposing! Honjouji temple was rebuilt after the fire in 1904. Take a look at the incredible architecture of the buildings.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Honkouji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Honkouji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Honkouji<\/a><\/p>\n

Nino-machi Street \/ Sanno-machi Street<\/h3>\n

These two streets are very beautiful, and many locals still live in their own houses on these streets. What I liked is that there were more than just hotels and restaurants, the streets still belong to their inhabitants. On the streets of Hida Furukawa, you might\u00a0come across some\u00a0Yatai Gura <\/strong>as well. Yatai Gura are large white warehouses with black signs above the doors, these warehouses act as storage sheds for the great mikoshi (portable temples) during the city festivals, such as during the Okoshi-Daiko<\/em>, and the grand matsuri<\/strong> which takes place on the 19th and 20th of April each year.<\/p>\n

\"Nino-machi<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Nino-machi<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Nino-machi<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Nino-machi<\/a><\/p>\n

Imamiya Bridge<\/h3>\n

\"Imamiya<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Imamiya<\/a><\/p>\n

Shinshuji Temple<\/h3>\n

This temple was originally covered with gold leaf. You can see the carpenter’s excellent work! Also, you can\u00a0see an\u00a0orange bridge which forms a beautiful, picturesque complex.<\/p>\n

\"Shinshuji<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Shinshuji<\/a><\/p>\n

Cycling Tour in Rural Japan<\/h3>\n

Check out other activities at \u00a0Satoyama Experience<\/a>\u00a0to have a better understanding for Hida. Here you can\u00a0find the ideal tours and trips\u00a0to see the beauty of Hida Furukawa and experience the\u00a0countryside of Japan!<\/p>\n

\"Cycling<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Cycling<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Get to Hida Furukawa<\/h2>\n

Would you like to discover more about Hida city? Please check out this website <\/a>for\u00a0more details.<\/p>\n

Access :<\/strong><\/p>\n