Summer trip 2022; around Shiramine

Our summer trip with RV Billie started with a quick ride to Oita pref. From Beppu we took the ferry to Misaki, Ehime and drove across Shikoku in one day. We didn't stop for sightseeing, only for coffee and toilets, but were often reminded of the beauty of this place through Billie's big windows. At Naruto we stopped for the night and walked to the big bridge across the whirlpools to see the sunset and sunrise.

Which one is this below? Sunrise or sunset?

Our ordeal with the traffic around Kobe and Kyoto was easily forgotten once we left the crowds behind us at the northern end of lake Biwa. There were no geese or swans, but the flock of cormorants resting in the trees was imposing.

We made it all the way to the foot of Mt. Hakusan on that day, but it wasn't until the following day that we discovered the hot spring at Shiramine.

This is where we were first introduced to historical buildings.

Sweet Autumn Clematis,センニンソウ an invasive vine that's taking this place. Like the wooden bridge above

The location looked neglected. Thanks to Covid 19 I suppose. But it added to the feeling of days long gone.

Big ladders are needed to get the snow off the roofs in winter

Mountain flowers: Matsumushisou, マツムシソウ

Uba Yuri, ウバユリ

Mountain Asparagus, ウド

Hawkmoth spec Momo Suzume, モモスズメ

At night we would park near some public toilets, often on a road station (michi no eki) 

Night visits to that toilet often resulted in some nightlife photography

Female Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle, (Kabuto Mushi) カブトムシ

Another one at a different location

There were all sorts of bugs you don't get to see during the day

Sukeba Hagoromo, スケバハゴロモ

And of course, frogs...   Japanese Tree frog, 日本アマガエル

... telling me how to stay cool

As usual, we would start moving early in the morning, when there was still little light. We drove through many tunnels, something of a novelty for people who come from a mountain-free country. Even after all these years.

To our surprise we saw a family of Copper Pheasants, ヤマドリ walking on the road. 

A female with her young

There were 7 birds, but we didn't see that until they flew up. Which happened too soon.

More wings. In tunnels, parking lots, and just in the fields.

Tomoe Erebid Moth, トモエガの仲間

Obiga, オビガ

Ageha Modoki, アゲハモドキ

Japanese Luna moth, オオミズアオ

Shiro Shachihoko, シロシャチホコ or Baibara Shiro Shachihoko,バイバラシロシャチホコ

A Prominent moth that is hard to identify

Carpet moth? ナミシャク亜科?

Suspended

Oriental Stork, コウノトリ

On the way somewhere in Hyogo pref. Jaap spotted something along the road. A photographer with a big lens is a dead giveaway. Luckily there was space to park the RV and we had the show all to ourselves. (The photographer left). 2 Birds were patrolling the field side by side. Occasionally the head of a 3rd one popped up. It looked like 2 parents and a child. 

Searching together

Eating together

Drinking together

A head popping out at the other side

Caring together

On the move again. Together

There's nothing better in life than a good mate 💓

Shirakawago

It had been on my bucket list for a long time, to see the Gassho zukuri houses of Shirakawa-go in the mountains of Gifu pref. These wooden houses are made without nails or metal materials and have steep thatched roofs, fit for heavy snow. During the summer break we got enough time to drive all the way up. We crossed Shikoku, skipped Kyoto, glimpsed at lake Biwa and moved on to Ishikawa. There were a few other items on the list, like Mt. Hakusan and Mt. Daisen. More about that later. The mountain road known as the White Road that runs east-west across Mt. Hakusan was closed, and we had to take a huge D-tour, but it was worth it.

First Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village in Toyama pref. This UNESCO world heritage site is just a small village, much more rural than the town of Shirakawa. The place must be very pretty when the sun is out, but we saw it on a rainy day. Which is fine with me for several reasons. The gloomy atmosphere is more what I like for my photos. The smaller number of visitors as well. The first photo is taken through the windows of Billie, our RV.

Actually, we first stopped at Suganuma, another World heritage site. That was before the rain started. Just so I could get my blue sky fix.

That night we listened to the rain on our roof, while the temperature was not too high. We were the only RV at this roadside station on the way to our next stop" Shirakawa-go!

The rain didn't stop people from visiting. It was holiday season, and the shops sold many umbrellas. Most people arrived after midday. By that time we were done.

Waiting for the bus.