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  4. NOVEMBER, 2013: JAPAN (YUDANAKA TRIP)

NOVEMBER, 2013: TO NAGANO!

From Yudanaka to Nagano and back.
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Shimaya Ryokan (where we stayed) is on a little slope, a bit higher than the train station and the main part of town. This is looking out over the Yudanaka area as we walked to the train station early in the morning to catch a train to Nagano.
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Shimaya Ryokan (where we stayed) is on a little slope, a bit higher than the train station and the main part of town. This is looking out over the Yudanaka area as we walked to the train station early in the morning to catch a train to Nagano.

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  • Shimaya Ryokan (where we stayed) is on a little slope, a bit higher than the train station and the main part of town. This is looking out over the Yudanaka area as we walked to the train station early in the morning to catch a train to Nagano.
  • Looking to the northwest (AWAY from Yudanaka) from the train. Nagano is southwest from here, so we pass way to the left of these peaks to get there.
  • By the time we arrived in Nagano and took a bus toward the temple grounds, we were ready for lunch. Here you can see bev (reflected in the glass) taking a photograph of a soba chef. Soba is Japanese for buckwheat. The term also refers to the primary food made from buckwheat: Soba noodles. As you can see, the chef is rolling out the buckwheat dough to make it flat and thin.<br /> <br /> You can also see me to your left, in case you would ever want to do that.
  • After rolling it out, folding it, and re-rolling it out several times, he then cuts the dough into these noodles.
  • And here you see the "finished" noodles (except that I think they dry them prior to cooking with them), dusted with fresh buckwheat flour.
  • We had a delightful lunch of hot soba noodle soup (in the bowl under Bev's arm) and cold soba noodles (in the square plate on this side of the table). Accompanied by tempura veggies and shimp, it made for a good, wholesome, and interesting meal.
  • Meanwhile, the chef got a fresh mass of soba dough and started the process over again. As you can see, he really has to put a lot into kneading it!
  • Nagano grew around a Buddhist temple, Zenkō-ji, established in 642. Here we are entering into the Temple Grounds.
  • Untitled photo
  • There are several little businesses on the pathway into the Zenkō-ji Temple Grounds. Here, Bev and I try Amazake. T'was good and greatly enjoyed, but I won't feel too deprived if this is my last one.
  • The Sanmon (entrance gate) to Zenkō-ji.
  • At the Temple itself, photos were discouraged or (in some places) prohibited. Perhaps it is best known for its hibutsu (secret Buddha statue, also called "The Image of Sangoku Denrai" ), thought by some to be the oldest Buddha image in Japan (Created in India and brought to Japan in 552). However, the hibutsu is not displayed: In fact, not even the high priest is allowed to ever view it. It lies beneath the Temple in total darkness. However, for 500 yen (about $5.00), one can gain entrance to a totally dark hallway through a part of the basement adjacent to the statue. A small, hinged extension of the statue can be found by carefully feeling along the wall of this wooden passage. This extension is said to be the key to salvation, and for those who get a grasp, it is believed to lead all to the Buddhist Pure Land regardless of their status, gender or creed (All this for less than the price of a Starbuck's Latte!).<br /> <br /> It is quite an experience, groping around in total darkness along with several other folks (whom you can't see, but whom you run into as you search). Even though none of the other folks in the passageway spoke English, it was not difficult to tell whenever one would find the metal "key."<br /> <br /> Oh, and in case you are concerned, Bev and I both found it. Otherwise, I may have asked for my money back (just kidding).<br /> <br /> This view is looking back down the business pathway as we walk away from the Temple.
  • A covered walkway through the business neighborhood of Gondo. Also a shortcut to the train.
  • Ready to head back to Yudanaka.
  • Back at Shimaya Ryokan. Here you can see just a few of the appreciation posters (from previous guests) which line the stairway.<br /> <br /> I hope you will join us tomorrow, when we head back to the macaques and then take a nice stroll through Yamanouchi Town (you can access that gallery by clicking on NOVEMBER, 2013: JAPAN (YUDANAKA TRIP) above).
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