In early February, aside from the T?chi Ski Resort... I found myself in a brand-new, thrilling wonderland. The snow was incredibly heavy, to the point where it felt like even Queen Elsa had made an appearance!!! To get a good photo, not only did I have to climb up a small snowy hill, but I also had to dodge a forest of umbrellas that blocked my view—seriously, the snow was so thick it felt blinding~~~
Shirakawa-go is located in central Japan, closer to Nagoya. I joined a local tour organized by a Japanese travel agency, departing from Shinjuku, Tokyo. After having a Hida beef hot pot lunch in Takayama, we finally arrived in Shirakawa-go in the evening after about a 10-hour bus ride. The gassho-style villages of Shirakawa-go are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gassho-zukuri (合掌造り) refers to a unique style of Japanese architecture, characterized by thatched roofs shaped like hands in prayer, hence the name "gassho" (meaning "prayer hands"). The roofs are built at nearly 60-degree angles to allow snow to slide off easily and prevent heavy accumulation that could collapse the structure. The Illumination Festival is held only about seven times a year, usually on weekends, with dates changing annually. Official website information is the most reliable, so it was truly lucky to catch this event.
Shirakawa-go has distinct seasons and picturesque scenery. We visited during the annual illumination festival to see the village both lit up and blanketed in snow. To enter the village, you first cross a suspension bridge, which was icy and extremely slippery. However, visitors were very well-behaved, and those who occasionally slipped were helped up by others.
Walking through Shirakawa-go’s gassho village felt like trekking across a layer cake, passing one gingerbread-like house after another.
Snow was thick everywhere in the village.
This photo shows just how intense the snowfall was, yet it didn't stop visitors from enjoying the illuminated beauty of Shirakawa-go.
Aside from residences, the village also houses several shops selling souvenirs and snacks.
Some of them are also minshuku (Japanese-style inns), but rumor has it that if you want to stay in the gassho village during the few days of the illumination festival,
you need to book half a year in advance!!!
Because it was so cold and I was exhausted from walking, I spotted a house with lights on,
saw people gathered around, and quickly joined them to warm up by the irori (traditional sunken hearth).
I bought a famous local snack from Shirakawa-go: Hida beef korokke (potato croquettes).
Of course, Hida beef is great for hot pot too,
but in the freezing cold, being able to eat something hot and savory,
was truly heartwarming.
((((My hair completely poofed out the moment I took off my winter hat))))
It’s said that gassho-style houses were first built in the early 13th centuryby the Taira (Heike)clan after theywere defeated in the Genpei Warand retreated into the mountains. They constructed these homes to keep warm and hide from their pursuers.The surviving buildings today were mostly constructedduring the mid-to-late Edo period.During this trip, we visited one of the ancient gassho houses, the “Kanda Family Residence,”which displays actual household items that were used in daily life,offering a glimpse into how villagers once lived..
There were also various displays of agricultural products.
Although it looks like an extremely small gingerbread house from the outside,
the interior is surprisingly spacious, easily accommodating a family of dozens without any problem.
The gassho-zukuri (thatched cottage) structures are wooden buildings, and you can clearly see that no nails were used during construction, yet they remain very sturdy.
This trip felt like a snowball fight — after over ten hours on the bus, I was already half-asleep,
but the breathtaking scenery instantly woke me up. In just two short hours, it felt like three soldiers charging into a city,
the weather was worse than expected, but as long as you can withstand the wind and snow pounding against you,
what you see and capture through the lens of Shirakawa-go is fortunately very beautiful, like something out of a fairy tale.
Moreover, this was the first time our trio — me, the "powerful one," and my second elder brother — went on an adventure together,
and we worked really well as a team (at least, that’s what I think).
Having good travel companions is super important; I’ve thought about how difficult the trip would have been if someone in the group underestimated the challenges.
The journey would have been hard to enjoy smoothly.
Though I was still the most clumsy one (sweat)
Look a little higher up — doesn’t it look like a model??
Here are some other photos......
I hope to have the chance to visit this beautiful village again in another season,
and would love to stay in a gassho-zukuri house too!?
| Practical Information |
Dates, transportation, and other info for Shirakawa-go’s Winter Light Festival?nbsp;http://lightup.asia/
Gifu Travel Guide? http://travel.kankou-gifu.jp/tw/
Shirakawa-go Tourism Association?nbsp;http://shirakawa-go.gr.jp/top/
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