We learned last night that we’re not landing where expected today. It’s not a huge change, just the next town some ten miles away.
Given that our plans are always open to change, we decide to focus on where we are, rather than jump in a train to go to the place we originally intended to visit. It is a good decision!
Takaoka is another city with much precipitation, apparently 5 foot of snow is common. Using the Manchester scale it’s about 3.3 times as wet, which is certainly evidenced by the huge gutters found everywhere!
We take the ship provided shuttle into town, before heading off to our first destination, the Zuiru-Ji Buddhist Temple. Constructed in 1659 this is amongst the country’s portfolio of national treasures. Happily the ship’s tour has just left so we are almost alone here to enjoy the serenity.
Next we head up to the steel-works area. The city has an history of metalworking, casting in particular. The museum showcases it’s wares.
The merchant area we next visit is a street where the storehouses, made with thick mud walls, were rebuilt after a fire in 1900, so they are well conserved. We take a tea ceremony with our friends Diane and Cliff, enjoying this famous Japanese tradition.
We moved on to the third largest Buddha in Japan, 15.85 metres and 65 tonnes. Underneath the plinth is a shrine.
Finally we visit the Kojo Park, where the moat, from the castle built in 1609 and soon after dismantled, is all that remains. However the grounds are now home to a temple, sculptures and trees, currently in full bloom.
We walk back home, about 8km, stopping off for chocolate, just a small supply to get us back in time for a late lunch.
The afternoon is nice in the sunshine on deck nine, but the wind remains cool. By 17:15 we’re preparing to depart and the local school offers a dance sailaway. All street and trendy, it’s full of energy! I manage to film it and post to the various Seabourn groups I belong to, they love this kind of thing.
Tragedy has struck – our forward jacuzzi is closed, maybe becuase it’s too hot for most – who knows? Anyway we go to deck eight and have a nice champagne relax for a while and watch the sun set – it may be the Land of the Rising Sun to Westeners, but when one is here Japan offers all options!
Dinner is excellent, and the second show of Corlea is just fantastic.
