I continue my journey from Takayama to Shirakawa-go with Nouhi bus. The scenery is beautiful and there`s a thin layers of snow everywhere. Shirakawa-go is a historical villages as one of unesco heritage in Japan. Located in Gifu prefecture, it`s about an hour from Takayama, can be reach by bus or private car. It`s very unique how to get to the village. After we paid the ticket, we will cross a river through a long bridge with perfect picture of mountain in the background and branches of trees. The houses looks just like in postcard and everywhere is very clean. I didn`t have a guide so i just follow the map that i get from the ticket counter.
Some points i suggest for you to do here to maximize your trip :
- Enjoy the surrounding and breath fresh air
2. See the detail of the houses called gassho-zukuri. The roof made in a shape that have meaning “hands that pray”, and made from special material that can hold snow in winter.
Saw one house under renovation, they exchange the roof with new hays.
3. See the whole Shirakawa-go from Shiroyama point
Maybe you have already seen the famous postcard of winter in Shirakawago, at night with the roof and the street full of snow and beautiful lights. Yes the picture was taken from this spot, but it`s very hard to get here at night and the last bus leave from here around 4 pm. The other option is you can stay here at the houses, with some rent fee. You will see their real life, get to know them, sleep in their bed and eat their local cuisine.
4. If you didn`t have a chance to stay here, you can visit a house and see everything inside.
I visit Kanda house, paid 300 yen for the ticket. The house look not too tall but when i get inside, actually it had 4 floors inside with different purpose.
5. Taste local delicasies or eat at restaurants/cafe and shop some souvenirs
I didn’t have enough time to sit and eat at the cafe, just taste the ice cream and dango. Just so delicious. There are so many cafe around, with japanese writing it’s kinda made me hesitate to walk in because the doors were closed eventhough there are guide on the maps, that showed which one is the restaurants. They also sell hida beef here just like in Takayama. For the souvenir, there are many dried food, wooven things and the popular fruit persimon .
I spend about 2 hours here and i think i’m too busy to take pictures and forgot to talk to the people. I’m still curious how they live their life everyday. My wish is to have a winter wonderland next time i visit Shirakawa-go.
Check this timetable of the Nouhi bus at http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/shirakawago.html and for further information about Shirakawago click here http://shirakawa-go.org/en/
No Comments