Crown tour

We went on a tour up into the mountains today.  We were expecting a coach or minibus but as there was only us two on the tour we had a personal guide and driver.  Pleasantly surprised we were escorted into the back of the Toyota Crown and set off.  First stop was the World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go.  This is a village of traditional Gassho houses which have steeply pitched thatched roofs.  Many have flower gardens or vegetable plots or even a paddy field growing rice.  Even the storage sheds are of the same style (extra 1).  Then another hour or so up the road to Takayama where we visited Sanmachi district in The Old Town where the Edo period houses can be found.  After lunch we wandered around a bit.  Extra 2 shows a cat cafe which probably wasn't around in the Edo period.  Also visited the Kusakabe Folk Collection which had ancient artifacts, modern crafts and a sound installation.  Extra 3 shows the Theremin which you could have a go with.  Last stop was the Takayama Festival hall where the spring and autumn festival floats are on display (extras 4 and 5). Just as we left Takayama the forecast rain started and stayed with us all the way back to Kanazawa.