Takayama Off The Beaten Path

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These two statues are found on the bridge crossing Miyagawa.

The one with long arms is called: "Tenaga zuchi zou" and the one with long legs is called: "Ashinaga zuchi zou". The characters are supposedly from some Japanese old tale.

Havent been able to find any other information on them. (Thank you VT member Bilimari for your help on their names!)

The Naka bashi is maybe not entirely off the beathen path, but it makes a nice picture in our bridges series. There are cherryblossom trees next to the bridge and the contrast of the pink blossom and the orange red bridge is magical....

The Shiroyama Park is located on a hill that was once the site of Takayama Castle. Lord Kanamori started building a castle here in 1590 it was fully completed sixteen years later. With changes in local administration at the end of the 17th century, the castle was no longer used and many of its buildings were destroyed or removed to nearby temples and shrines. In the late 19th century, the castle site was made into Shiroyama Park. Remains of the original dungeon foundations and walls can still be seen, and the park is famous for its lush greenery. There are also fine views of Takayama and the Japan Alps.

Just a temple we passed on our way to the city centre.
We later found out it is the this is the oldest temple in Takayama. It was originally built in 746 by Emperor Shomu. The oldest surviving building, the wooden Main Hall, dates from the 16th century. The three-storied pagoda ( on the picture) was constructed in 1821. Next to it is a gingko tree that is said to be 1,200 years old.

Please visit Musashi, the Yakitori-ya near the temple in Shiroyama park. It is a must for yakitori lovers, and a nice respite from the walk up the hill. Masai-san and his mother run it. Great times.

This small but nice bridge spans over the Enako river. We crossed it on our way to the festival floats hall.

In the cherryblossom season the spotlights along the Miya river give a great view from the Yanagi bridge to the Naka bashi.

At the Kaji bashi are two statues of manlike figures. On one side of the bridge is one with very long arms. At the other side is a figure with very long legs.