Takayama and Kyoto

Food vendor selling takoyaki (octopus) balls
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In the morning I walked around the Miya-gawa River which runs through the center of Takayama.  At two locations there were Morning Markets, one on the banks of the Miya-gawa and one next to the Takayama Jinya.  I checked both out but they were a disappointment.  Both were small events with few visitors and the most of the products were available in the stores.  There were only a few actually selling fresh produce or homemade products.

I stand corrected on the sakura in Takayama.  The Miya-gawa was lined by sakura trees but they weren't ready to bloom.  Takayama holds a sakura festival in mid to late April.

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Because of the valuable timber in the region, the Tokugawa government maintained direct control of the province.  The Takayama Jinya served as the government center.  Walking through the building was like watching the old Japanese TV show/movie about the government magistrate.

Now it was time to go to the big city of Kyoto.  After I checked into my hotel I went straight to the next door Daimaru Department Store and its basement food section.  It took me 15 minutes to check out all the vendors before I decided what to buy for dinner.  Big mistake as you will see later.

Hanami partying
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When it got dark I headed for Maruyama Park which was straight down Shijo-dori (street) where my hotel was located.  The mass of humanity on the wide sidewalk was an eye-opener.  While many were shopping, a large number was headed for the park and the sakura celebration.  In Maruyama Park there is a huge weeping cherry tree (shidarezuka) in the center of the park which is the focal point of the food booths and hanami (flower viewing) parties.  In the lighted central area older folks and men in business suits were boisterously drinking and partying.  In the dark back and side areas were parties of younger people who were singing songs.  I ate yakitori (skewered chicken) and takoyaki (octopus in a doughballs covered with a dark sauce and mayonnaise), but I was too full to try the skewered beef or fried noodles or any of the other delicious foods there.  The sights, smells, and sounds of the sakura celebration were amazing.