Stan near the wasabi shop and paper-making shop in Tsuwano. Right now it's sunny & warm, but when it got cloudy, it was much cooler.


Inside the paper-making shop. This was fascinating! The Japanese are very particular about their paper and it's very beautiful and high quality. Tsuwano is famous for their paper and especially washi paper. READ MORE ABOUT WASHI HERE!


There was also a shop inside where we bought a few Christmas presents.


Phoenix are a symbol of Tsuwano & there are many around town.


Margie face in a phoenix.

Click "older posts" below right to continue . . .

Of course Stan HAS to have a wasabi ice cream cone.


Yum - delicious!


They also make black bean cakes here.


This painting depicts wasabi growing.


And several jars of it growing on a shelf.

Closer view of white wasabi in a jar. Guess it doesn't get enough sunlight? I watched a show recently, and wasabi is extremely difficult to grow. It's very demanding . . .


Outside the wasabi shop, we watched a tour bus driver expertly park his bus in a very tight spot.


Across the street, we found a restaurant & it's lunchtime.


Oh - this special looks perfect!


It's a rare-roasted sliced beef burger (I thought of you, Sue!). Of course it was as good as the picture looked, and thoughtfully wrapped in waxed paper, so no drips while we ate . . .

That's Stan heading down the sidewalk to the river, but I'm waiting at the top.


He wanted me to tell you that he rode down & back up, but he actually pushed his bike! Look at the beautiful fitted stonework along the bank of the river.


Riding along the riverside. There's no traffic here and it's very peaceful and quiet - just the sound of water . . .


Those huge flowers that I don't know the name of in someone's yard.


Still riding along the river as we head back toward town. We can hear a louder gurgle of the water here.

Gentle waterfall in the river. Stan thought maybe the little steps-waterfall were for the fish???


There were many pretty houses that faced the river and the shrine. What a great place to live!


The banners are flying alongside the road goes up to the Taikodani Inari Jinja (太皷谷稻成神社). The very first time we visited Tsuwano (several years ago) that's how we went to the shrine.


Look how the road is built out & supported against the hillside!


Looking across the river at the brightly-colored torii gates that wind up the hillside to the shrine. Stan is down at the riverside skipping rocks.

Zooming in closer to the torii walkway. I still can't believe we walked up and down yesterday, and I'm still able to move today!


Tiny pink flowers in a rock wall near the river as we head back into downtown Tsuwano.


One of the phoenix statues at the park near the river.


There are two that face each other.


Riding down the main shopping street where we spent most of our time when we came a couple of weeks ago. This is where most of the tourists spend time.

Leaving Tsuwano. This is the street where the sushi restaurant is located - very narrow, but it's the main road going & coming.


From the train station, you can see our cream & blue hotel half-way up the mountain. It was close enough to bike, but too steep!


We're passing our hotel as we leave town, going up this steep hill. We saw many visitors walking up & down this hill with their rolling bags.


The restaurant and lobby are on this glass side. It looks out onto the town of Tsuwano and the Taikodani Inari Jinja shrine.


Inside a long tunnel. There are MANY tunnels along this trip.

Crossing the river on a red suspension bridge. This highway crosses back & forth over the Nishiki River.


Stormy weather over the mountain ahead, while we slow down for construction.


Coming out of one tunnel & heading into another ahead.


I love this bright orange one! It reminds me of the 1000 torii gates in Tsuwano.


Inside the orange tunnel, with one side open to view the river.

Nice example of folded mountains in the distance.


Lots of repairs going on along Hwy 187. Guess there have been some landslides just before this tunnel?


Cabbage roses at a rest stop.


We pass through many small communities along this road.


As we continue along Hwy 187. It's always good to see these signs occasionally!

People who walk out of their houses and businesses have to be VERY careful of traffic!


Passing a big truck on narrow Hwy 187, along the Nishiki River.


Short tunnel . . .


Arrows help keep us on the right side (uh, the left side actually) of this very narrow highway!


And here we are back at MCAS Iwakuni Main Gate - just in time for the final day of the November Grand Sumo Tournament! Always fun to travel, but fun to return home.