Text by Alex
Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture is world-renowned for its "gassho-zukuri" architecture. These traditional wooden buildings use no nails at all, and their gabled, thatched roofs resemble hands pressed together in prayer. When thick snow accumulates in winter and is illuminated by warm, yellow lights, the entire gassho village resembles a fairytale wonderland. In fact, even before the snow arrives, the orange-yellow scenery of late autumn is equally captivating.
▲(Photo by nao_photo_705 @IG)
Shirakawa-go offers different kinds of beauty throughout the year. However, most visitors come for its snowscapes, often overlooking the unique charm that spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage bring—distinct from the famous tourist spots in big cities. Generally, late October to early November is the best time to view the autumn leaves in Shirakawa-go. During this period, the village also specially "lights up" for visitors, adding decorative lighting in various spots to create a dreamlike atmosphere.
▲(Photo by ozirom @IG)
▲(Photo by masa_sceneryphoto @IG)
Currently, Shirakawa-go preserves over 100 traditional gassho-zukuri buildings. Visitors to the village can admire the authentic traditional Japanese aesthetic both inside and outside the houses. In 1995, Shirakawa-go was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting even more tourists from around the globe. As a result, during peak periods (such as winter light-up days), the village implements crowd control measures to limit the number of visitors.
▲(Photo by yulily_k508 @IG)
▲(Photo by yoshiaki_yamagami @IG)
▲(Photo by yoshiaki_yamagami @IG)
▲(Photo by in_plus365 @IG)
▲(Photo by ycmrmn @IG)
▲(Photo by nori45pic @IG)
▲(Photo by skycat.hiro @IG)
Source: Retrip