To the World Above the Clouds & Onsen for Royalty

          The Shin-hotaka Ropeway (新穂高ロープウェイ)

          is the first in Japan to use the double-decker cabins!

Our destination of the day: Self-drive trip from Takayama to Shin-Hotaka Ropeway and the Ohuida onsen. 

We were lucky that autumn was at its peak when we visited the mountain range. 

Astounding view! 

Though I did wonder if the Japanese seeded the trees according to their colours, because they were in neat distinctive rows!

Rows of trees glimmered in yellow and orange hues; evergreens contrasted the passage of time, and the Alps clad in their white, we can only be amazed by Nature's art piece.

The ropeway brought us to the Alps observation deck at 2,156m elevation above sea level. The cute post box is the highest in Japan! Unfortunately, we could not see the Alps due to the heavy fog blanket nonetheless, the mini hailstones brought out the child in us :D 

~ The best autumn picturesque I have ever come across ~

A few hours at the ropeway before we drove to the nearby Okuhida Onsen (our lodging for the night) located in the valley at the base of the Hotaka Mountains which offer nice views of the surrounding Northern Alps.

The rotemburo (outdoor baths) in Nakamurakan (中村館). 

Our lodging for 1 night. Meals- inclusive onsen stay. It costs a whooping S$200/ pax. 

Now you know why we can't even stay an additional night :(

Baths (indoors and outdoors) are separated by gender, and we (by that I mean my sister & I went into one, and shark had the other bath entirely to himself) tried the private outdoor bath after the grandeur dinner! 

Soaking our tummies in the warm water whilst the chill night wind caressing our faces, and the quietness of the surroundings. So this was how royalty were treated in the past! Ah...Life must be dam good!

 We woke up early and went to the baths again before checking out. Must fully utilise our money! 

Our grandeur dinner. The spread was more than what I could capture. Everything was served in sequence, and the presentation looked too good to be eaten. 

What could be better than a scrumptious dinner after an onsen bath on a cold autumn night ?! 

See the layout of the dining hall ?! I wonder if they used ruler. 

Our breakfast before checking out. It is always a pleasure to wake up to a spread of healthy breakfast. The miso paste is home-made and goes so well with the rice. Japanese food is just so clean & exquisite.  They have the ability to make the simplest food taste great effortlessly. 

Even their eggs taste much better~ 

And no, I am not exaggerating. 

Have I not reiterate enough? Japan is simply amazing ;)

Cycling the Streets of Takayama

Hida-Takayama 飛騨高山, the birthplace of Sarubobo (さるぼぼ) !

An hour's train from Gero brought us to Takayama. Train rides in Japan are always enjoyable. The smooth, quiet engines add to the tranquility of green countryside. 

Japanese houses dotted the outskirts enroute to Takayama.

For an unique experience, why not try the temple stay? The price is pocket-friendly, given the steep prices of lodging in Japan. Weren't we happy that we did not have to wake up at 4am to chant with the monks and devotees :D

Our temple stay in Takayama

We began our F&E day tour on bicycles! Riding against the 20 (or lower) degree celsius wind, taking in the autumn colours & exploring nooks & creaks.
Traveling on 2 wheels can sometimes be better than 4 :)

Our sushi stop for breakfast. The medium raw hida Beef was good, and with that bit of ginger paste, it took away the game taste. 

Floats Exhibition Museum (Yatai Kaikan)

These elaborated large floats (yatai) are used during the yearly 高山祭 Takayama Matsuri which takes place during April and October. These floats date back to the 17th century and are decorated lavishly with embroidered drapery and intricate carvings of gilded wood. 

Old Town (Sanmachi)
  Walking along the stretch of Edo Period houses evokes nostalgia. Step into these houses, and you'll find throngs of tourists jostling with one another and store owners selling their wares consisting of souvenirs (sarubobo!!), local sake, miso paste etc, albeit without the kimono.

Hida Beef 

“Hida-gyu” (Hida Beef) is the specific name given to beef from a black-haired Japanese cattle breed, that has been raised in Gifu Prefecture for at least 14 months. Hida-gyu is certified to have a Yield Score of Grade A or B by the Hida Beef Brand Promotion Conference, and have a Firmness and Texture Grade of 5, 4 or 3 as graded by the Japan Meat Grading Association. Other Grades of Hida beef are called “Hida Wagyu” (Hida Japanese Beef).'' 

God knows if we had Hida Beef or Hida Japanese Beef ( they sound similar), all I know is, I will never forget that day the perfectly marbled slices of fat devils melted in my mouth!

If you have eaten beef in Japan, nowhere beats it ~

Yokoso! Gero Onsen Town

Foreword: A sisters bonding trip to Japan and Korea before she embark on her studies. A 2 weeks grandeur trip brought us to many beautiful places in Western Japan and Korea. Autumn colored Japan in flaming red, yellow, orange and brown. The best trip ever and I wish to do this again! 

Hectic schedule right from the start of our tour: A midnight flight on Vietnam air from Singapore to Incheon with layover in HCM -> Afternoon Jeju air flight to Nagoya -> 3h Train from Nagoya to Gero.  But Gero was worth the arduous journey. 

Welcome to Gero Onsen 下呂温泉 ! 

One of the 3 best onsens in Japan. There are public bathhouses and open-air footbaths where you can sit and relax for free and ward off the chill :) 

One of the numerous onsen hotel in Gero. 

Free public foot bath. Perfect for the chilly weather! 

Good Morning Gero! 

View outside our ryokan.

Female only onsen. 

Home-made miso paste. So delicious, you can just eat this with plain rice. 

Morning breakfast set.
It is a luxury to wake up to a hearty breakfast ! 

Gero streets.

In an onsen town, you can walk around in yukata attire.
The 'click-clog' made with every steps transported me back to childhood... 

Our 3-bed ryokan. In Japan, you sleep on thick mattress known as futons. Quite comfortable! 

Our ryokan! Supposed to be one of the cheapest in the area. 

A quaint onsen town worth a night or two stay~

Beautiful Tallinn, Estonia

Tere (Hello) ! Tallinn! 

Separated by the Baltic Sea, Estonia is easily accessible via cruise from Helsinki Port. Cruise companies such as Tallink Silja and Linda Line Express operates frequently between Helsinki and Tallinn with traveling time no longer than 2 hours.1 regular return ticket cost about 40 euro.You might be able to get promo tickets if you book early online. 

Tallinn is the largest and the capital city of Estonia where the old and new coexist. 

The skyscrapers and city lights- a testament to Estonia's development, on the contrary, winding cobblestone pavement lined with colourful houses rich in history, beckons city souls in search for a nostalgic escape.

Tallinn is the oldest capital city in Northern Europe and, Skype is developed in Estonia too! 

The Old Town Hall Square

Voted as the Best Cafe in Tallinn~ Well, the pastries are indeed delicious! 

Hot chocolate, with cheesecakes (oreo & berry)! Best comfort food during winter. 

Doesn't this feels like the Hobbit's house? :) 

View of the Old Town from Toompea Hill

Kiek in de Kok Museum. Artillery tower built in 1475. You pay an admission fee, and inside the tower there are exhibitions and video displays of the war history of Tallinn, and you can climb to the top of the tower for a view of Tallinn city.

The Town Wall 

Katariina Käik, said to be the most romantic part of Old Town. 
I didn't felt much of the love though~

Pikk jalg (longest old town st) towards Toompea Hill & Town Wall.

Colorful cafes and handicraft stores lined the street.

Viru Gates, built in the 14th century. 

One of the entrances into the Old Town leading to numerous shops and restaurants in Viru Street

Food in Tallinn~

Peppersack restaurant is an interesting historical house built in the 1370! 
At night 8pm, they would have performance. Highly recommended for a dragon and dungeon experience! 

Gingerbread cake in the shape of Peppersack. How cute! 
The cake was abit tough though.  

Peppersack home-made soup. 
Full-bodied taste and they are generous with the beef, potatoes, and carrots. 

Food is relatively cheaper in comparison to Helsinki. 

Our next foodie stop at Von Krahli Aed. 

 Medium rare tenderloin with croquette and potato pie.

Medium rare pan seared duck fillet with zesty orange and potato mash. This blew me off! 
The tenderness of the fowl melt in your mouth and the unique combination of zest took away any oily feeling.

 Von Krahli Aed earned 2 more lovers!

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn's largest and grandest orthodox cathedral. 
Built in a typical Russian Revival style between 1894 and 1900, during the period when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire.

Romantic street of Tallinn

Exploring this nostalgic charm, we fell in love again ~ Tallinn, see you again!