SPRINGTIME IN HONSHU JAPAN (CONT"D)

A store in Kyoto specialising in chopsticks. A pair cost 1,000 Yen or more. Having one's name engraved will cost extra.

And this specialises in knives used for cutting sashimi, meat, etc. Many Westerners patronise such stores for the quality of Japanese-made knives.

This restaurant is well patronised. Diners sit next to a river adorned by Sakura trees in full bloom.

Instant transformation into a 'Japanese couple'.

With our travelling companions after our stroll in Gion, Kyoto, which used to be famous for its Geishas. Many tea-houses have now been transformed into shops, restaurants, etc, catering to tourists.

Gate to Kyomizu Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the famous Kyoto temples.

Temple grounds which are sprawling, peaceful and serene.

The temple itself.  It's well known for its Cherry Blossoms in Spring and red leaves in Autumn. A magnificent structure indeed.

The temple is built on stilts of solid hard wood. Not a single nail is used in its construction. A marvel in architecture.

Gifu Castle in Gifu City. This castle was used by Oda Nobunaga, a powerful 16th C Daimyo of the Sengoku period, who subjugated much of Honshu. It subsequently fell into disrepair until 1956 when it was rebuilt by the people of Gifu who hauled the materials up the mountain.

Gifu City from Gifu Castle. Presently, Gifu Castle is accessible by a cable way.

A period clock in the compound of the castle reputedly belonging to Tokugawa Ieyasu, an ally of Oda Nobunaga who subsequently defeated other Daimyos in the Battle of Sekigahara and was awarded the title of Shogun by the Emperor..

A well manicured garden in Gifu Park at the bottom of the Castle mountain.There are four hiking trails in the mountain.

Village of Shirakawago, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, with traditional thatched roof houses. Parts of the movie "The Last Samurai" were filmed here.

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Shirakawago lunch prepared with country ingredients.

The hearth in the restaurant where people will gather round for their meals in winter. It used to be sunken.

Attempting a break in into a barn?

A store in the village with a modern roof.

Village temple with the gate in front of it. The roofs of such structures have to be renewed every 20-30 years. The villagers will do it on a self help basis. In Summer when the temperatures soar, it may be necessary to water the roofs to prevent fire.

The flag pole outside the house is adorned with cloth streamers in the shape of fishes. Blue ones indicate the number of boys in a household and the red ones are for girls.