Since this was only a quick stop in Takayama, we immediately proceeded to Sanmachi Suji, where shops housed in beautifully preserved traditional Japanese buildings are lined up along the old streets. As we walked around and entered some of these houses, we really felt like we were stepping into Japan's past.
We entered one shop that sells miso, and we were even given a sampler of their mild miso soup. We stayed in the shop for a while just to enjoy the experience—or in Filipino, "namnam." 😂 It was one of those simple moments that made the visit more memorable.
We were actually looking forward to tasting Hida Beef because we had heard that it was one of the specialties of the region. Unfortunately, maybe because of the timing of our visit, some shops and restaurants were already closed. Perhaps they had already sold out for the day. So, sadly, we didn't get to try the Hida Beef that we had been looking forward to.
Instead, we ended up resting at Cha-No-Me Cafe, where we had coffee and some Japanese snacks. After spending most of the day exploring, it was nice to simply sit down, relax, and take a break.
After that, we explored the area some more, and we were in awe of how well-preserved Takayama was. Walking through the old streets with the traditional wooden buildings made it easy to imagine what the town might have looked like centuries ago.
We eventually reached the stunning Nakahashi Bridge, recognizable by its beautiful vermillion-red color. The bridge crosses the Miyagawa River and has become one of the symbols of Takayama. It also serves as a kind of gateway to the Old Town, making it one of the most photographed spots in the city.
The red bridge against the traditional buildings and the river made such a beautiful scene. It was one of those places where we simply stopped for a while to appreciate our surroundings.
Our last stop in Takayama was Hida Kokubun-ji Temple.
It was so cold, and perhaps because of the temperature and the time of our visit, we were practically the only visitors there. The quiet atmosphere actually made the place feel even more special.
Hida Kokubun-ji is one of Takayama's important historical sites. The temple grounds are home to a huge ginkgo tree said to be more than 1,200 years old, as well as a three-story pagoda. The temple's main building is considered the oldest surviving structure in Takayama and dates back to the Muromachi period, roughly 500 years ago.
Standing there in the cold, with hardly anyone around, gave us a completely different feeling compared with the busier streets of Sanmachi. It was a quiet way to end our quick exploration of Takayama.
But our day in Japan was not over yet.
This was our first time in Japan, and one of the things I had been looking forward to was experiencing a Japanese onsen.
Thankfully, my friend was also game to do it, despite the fact that we had already been out all day.
We headed to Yunohana Onsen Spa Resort in Kani City, Gifu Prefecture, and I have to admit—I was nervous.
This was going to be my first time being completely naked in front of strangers.
In my mind, I kept telling myself, "They don't know me anyway, so it's okay." 😂
Before our trip, I had watched several videos about what to do inside a Japanese onsen, so at least I already knew the basic etiquette. I knew that you have to wash yourself thoroughly before entering the bath, that swimsuits are generally not worn, and that you should keep your towel out of the water. These are standard parts of Japanese onsen etiquette.
The only thing I really had to deal with was my nervousness. LOL.
When I entered the men's bath, everyone was either already naked or getting ready to enter the baths. Seeing everyone else doing it somehow gave me the courage to do the same.
And honestly, nobody cared about me at all. 😂
The awkwardness probably lasted for about 30 seconds before it just disappeared. Suddenly, I felt like a completely normal person.
Maybe taking off my eyeglasses also helped. Everything became a little blurry because of the steam, so I wasn't exactly walking around with a clear view of everyone anyway. 😂
But eventually, I realized something very simple: we were all men there, and everyone was there for exactly the same reason—to relax and enjoy the hot spring.
There was really nothing to be ashamed of.
In fact, there was something strangely liberating about the experience.
Since we were in the outskirts of Japan, the crowd was also different from what we had experienced in the major tourist areas. Most of the people we saw were older Japanese men who were simply relaxing, bathing, and enjoying the onsen.
As for the bathing time, we didn't stay for a very long time. Different baths can have different temperatures, and how long you should stay depends on the heat and your own tolerance. Japanese tourism guidance generally recommends taking it slowly, getting out when you feel too hot, and drinking water to stay hydrated. Spending around an hour or less at an onsen is quite reasonable, but there isn't a universal one-hour rule for every bath.
For me, the important thing was that I finally experienced something I had been curious about even before arriving in Japan.
And yes, I survived my first Japanese onsen experience. 😂
After the onsen, we were ready for dinner.
And after failing to get our Hida Beef earlier in Takayama, we finally got the beef we had been craving at Yakiniku King.
We had tons of beef, and it was exactly what we needed after a long and very cold day.
The beef was so good, and the servings of the side dishes were surprisingly generous. After walking around Takayama, visiting the temple, and experiencing my first Japanese onsen, sitting down for a big yakiniku dinner was the perfect way to end the day.
It was a long day, but definitely one of the most memorable parts of our first trip to Japan.
