What a spectacular day.  A cold start that turned into a brilliantly sunny day at the UNESCO World Heritage village of Ainokura, about 90 minutes (and dozens of tunnels) north-west of Takayama.

The gasshō-zukuri houses (so called as they resemble hands in prayer) along the Shōkawa River in the Gokayama District of Toyama Prefecture attract thousands of tourists every year, especially in the spring and autumn.  Ainokura, one of the furthest away, is much less crowded and we think more authentic as the 20 or so thatched roof buildings are inhabited and small businesses, like one making washi (Japanese paper) thrive.

While perhaps a wee bit late for full kōyō, the amber, gold, brown and green of the hillsides was a palette of colour for our artists who spent the whole day in the village turning out some great work in a challenging environment for painting.

The hills were alive…where was Julie Andrews when we needed a song?

Some wonderful views of the snow dusted peaks of the Japan Alps from our bus on the way “home” to Takayama, but I failed to snap the appropriate evidence.   I’ll see what I can do tomorrow. This really is a most beautiful part of Japan.