Road trip!

We picked up the rental car in Nagano, and set fearlessly set off for Takayama...

This is what is becoming known as Leighana's muppet face....

On the road again (or for the first time)...

Matsumoto was our next stop, where we explored the castle. We climbed lots of very steep stairs here - I was embarrassed when I held up some Japanese grandmothers on those stairs! They're pretty freakin' nimble, let me tell you.

Matsumoto Castle - very cool, very cloudy

Space azalea! (I took this for you, Marie.)

Space azalea sign!

Mark & muppet at the castle

 We had our first pub lunch in Matsumoto, and it was pretty good.

Mark in a Japanese pub, looking good.

Pub!

Some kind of onion & pork stir fried thing

 From Matsumoto, we headed off into the misty mountains, where it rained. Lots.

Windy mountain road

Mountains

Mark enjoying mountains

The road ahead - very twisty

Road beer - but only for the passenger!

There's a mountain in there somewhere

More mist