Today we are going to a new destination , Furukawa. This small town is located only 15 min by train from Takayama. It was also cheap to get there (240 yen or 2 euro) so no excuses .
Furukawa is smaller and calmer than Takayama. Like Takayama, the town gained wealth and fame through the high quality timber found in the region and the high level craftsmanship skills of the local carpenters. Like Takayama, Furukawa has a nicely preserved old town and a famous festival. After a short train ride there we are.
Train station.
Already you can appreciate how calm is this area of Japan. I think it’s important to experience the difference side that a country has to offer. I personally enjoy more the rural areas in Japan. I also often meet more local people. Let’s go for a slow walk.
Furukawa feels very rural. The pace of life here feels slow and natural.
Being small doesnt mean that there is nothing to do. Furukawa has beautiful old houses , temples and a picturesque riverside along the seto river.
Along the Furukawa canal. A walk that will make you feel at peace.
I enjoyed walking along that picturesque section of town. It’s simple but how nice it’s just to take the time. Expect to have the sceneries pretty much just for yourself. I have only met a few tourists here.
Autumn colors in Furukawa.
Cosy river side. I love discovering humble places like Furukawa. There is nothing crazy here but rather there is that serenity feeling all around that makes it very enjoyable.
Nice garden.
The majority of tourist will spend most all there time in Takayama which is understandable if you have little time. But if you have spare hours and want to get to more rural areas in Japan , Furukawa is a wonderful spot to serve this purpose. In just 2 hours you can get around the town but It will be nicer to take more time and stop in some places.
In town I noticed a few posters of the famous Japanese anime “Kimi no na wa” or “Your name”. I realised after talking with the locals that some scenes were filmed in Furukawa. I have found a small exhibition of the film in a local shop.
Comparison between the anime scenes and the real places. You could access some of theses places by foot. Some shops here will sell “Your name” food items such as biscuits.
After getting a good feel of that town it was time to sit in a community space. I got drawn toward whats seemed to be a café but I wasn’t too sure. So I came in and I realized that it was not just a café.
Fab Cafe, a place where you can get your tea and coffee fix along with making your own laser-cut coasters and 3D printing.
This place stand out quite a bit from the rural and old feel of that town. But I loved it. The word ‘Fab’ in Fab Café stands for both ‘Fabulous’ and ‘Fabrication’. The concept of the café is built upon the idea that the resources to fabricate of one’s ideas and designs should be made readily available and affordable. Such a hipster concept but how cool was this place. Whatever “hipster” means at the end. I love to discover creative places like this café. Inside you could also find accomodations. I wouldn’t mind sleeping here a night or two.
Herbal tea break in “Fab café”.
The staff here was also very cool. It reminded me of that alternative spirit in Onomichi. Actually I’ve been given free mandarines from Onomichi when the staff knew that I’ve been there. Thanks you.
My Japanese friend told me about “Syun”. In Japan food and various things unique to a season are called “旬 しゅん “Syun”. She said that every day becomes more fun if you cherish “Syun”. I love this way of thinking. We should celebrate life with what nature has to offer.
Dorayaki with what seemded to be black sesame seeds inside. Very nice and not too sweet.
I wanted to rent a bicycle and explore the surrounding and I have found a rental bike shop. I went but nobody was there so I thought about asking for some help in a nearby shop. I’m glad I didnt get the bicycle right away otherwise I will have not met a wonderful Japanese.
Say hello to Tadashi , my new 68 year old Japanese friend.
Tadashi is the owner of the “Bubu café”. He spend litteraly 40 min calling numbers to reach the bike rental owner. It was such a sweet guy. We found out later that the bike shop owner wasn’t there. Tadashi café has this very old school vibe to it. He loved french music. I ended up stopping there and just meeting him , with a chocolate cake. It was very fun even thought both our foreign language skills weren’t great. Thanks you for this moment.
Furukawa was a great little day trip. I think it’s important to get a bit of everything when you travel. Full on big cities can be draining therefore it’s important to give chance to places like Furukawa. At the end of the day you’ll feel recharged with a big smile on your face. There were more to do in that town but I had enought for that day. It was perfect.
Tomorrow I will be going to the most popular day trip from Takayama , a mysterious place called Shirakawa-go.
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