Takayama by Train

We're off to Takayama - a small town in the mountains - for our three-day weekend. We figure we'd better take advantage of these get-aways while we can! Here's what Lonely Planet Japan says about Takayama: 

"With its old inns, shops and sake breweries, Takayama is a rarity - a city (admittedly a small one) that has managed to retain its traditional charm. Vibrant morning markets, hillside shrines and a laid-back populace add to the town's allure, and it should be a high priority on any visit to central Honshu."

We're taking the shinkansen (a.k.a. 'bullet train') - another of my favorite Japanese ingenuities  - to Nagoya. From there, we'll hop on the JR Wide-View train to the little town of traditional charm.