Destination - Gifu Prefecture! (Part 2) More waterfalls!

Day 2 and part 2 of our Gifu adventure. After checking out of the hotel everyone got in the bus and we went to Gandate Park. What is pictured here is Gandate Cliff.

Gandate Park Per the internet: A public park located close to the Gandate cliff, a Gifu Prefecture-designated Natural Monument. Gandate was formed 54 thousand years ago by an eruption of Mt. Ontake, the lava from the volcano cooling and hardening to naturally form this sheer precipice. There is an observatory in the park from which visitors can view the consecutive pillar-like surface of the cliff wall up close. There’s also a walking path which extends out to Mitsudaki Waterfall, a small waterfall comprised of three falls pouring into a single basin. Go a bit further, and you can enjoy the lush scenery of the Karatani Waterfall and Akaganetoyo Fall.

Before we started our walk to the waterfalls we were given a brief on the history of the park area.

Off we go! The start of the hiking trail is in the lower right side of the picture. Gandate Cliff is on the left side.

In a word "Wow"! This place is nice!

I took the lead, the rest of the group is behind me.

Our first waterfall. The hiking trail is on the left side.

The manmade trail makes this a very easy and enjoyable walk.

I'm still in the lead but everyone else is right behind me. 

Unfortunately because of our tour time limit this is as far as we can go in the park. We have to cross this bridge and take a road back to the parking lot.

The road is also a pleasant walk. If we hadn't joined this group tour I doubt we would have ever found this lovely park. 

Back on the bus and it's time to go to Takayama city.

We have arrived at Takayama City!

We are exploring the Sanmachi area of Takayama. 

The Sanmachi area is a well preserved old town. Lot's of shops and restaurants. This is a popular sightseeing attraction.

The narrow streets are filled with people.

Time for a snack!

Another popular attraction in Takayama is the Miyagawa Morning Market.

Unfortunately we're a little late and many of the street vendors have left. Maybe we'll come back here in the future and stay overnight so we can enjoy the morning market. 

People, people people! 

Emi's checking out some Japanese style monpe pants.  She's not smiling because she's hungry. 

A big Torri Gate facing the Miyagawa river. At this point we turned around and started walking back to the Sanmachi area.

Everything is so scenic here, even the drain ditches look nice.

Checking out more monpe pants in the Sanmachi district.

Yes, it's me! I'm leaning against a wall of Shochu bottles.

Takayama is also famous for Hida Beef.

Hida Beef

People are lined up here to buy sushi made with Hida Beef.

Emi was so hungry we bought some locally made Senbei (rice crackers). I had to stick my camera through a little window to get this picture.

The proprietor gives us our change. BTW, the senbei was still hot and very delicious! After eating our rice crackers we got back on the bus and headed to a big drive-in for lunch. 

This is where we had lunch. They have a big restaurant on the second floor  that's set up to handle large tour groups. On the first floor there are shops that sell all kinds of local products. 

After lunch we got on the bus and started the long (very long) drive back home. 

Our Gifu adventure was over but the good memories will be with us for a long time.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

Bonus Shots! (not related to the Gifu adventure)