Journey to the Snowy Fairytale Village of Shirakawago

SHIRAKAWAGO ... Once is never enough.

Many people say that Shirakawa-go, a village of thatched-roof farmhouses, is beautiful and charming in different seasons. The most romantic season is probably winter. It is incredible how the heavy snowfall creates such beauty and charm throughout the village. The image of pure white snow covering the entire valley, trees, and river, as well as the rooftops, makes this World Heritage village look like a fairytale land.

To experience life as it was centuries ago, we opted to stay in a homestay in a village during our February 2018 trip. For those planning a visit to Shirakawa-go, we highly recommend spending at least one night in the village to immerse yourselves in the local way of life. This unforgettable experience will allow you to truly appreciate the villagers' traditions.

#Gasshozukuri #Shirakawago #Gassho-style houses #Shirakawa-go

The Enchanting Winter Wonderland of Shirakawago

The early February atmosphere in Shirakawago is breathtaking. The entire village and surrounding valley are blanketed in a thick layer of pristine white snow, creating a picturesque scene of unparalleled beauty. This UNESCO World Heritage Site transforms into a winter wonderland, captivating visitors with its serene charm. The three days spent here seemed to fly by, leaving a longing for time to slow down and savor the magic of this enchanting village.

Shirakawago: A Timeless Village Nestled in the Mountains

Shirakawago, a remote mountain village nestled in the Gifu Prefecture, has long been isolated from the outside world. Its inhabitants, primarily farmers, have embraced a simple, self-sufficient lifestyle, cultivating rice and living in harmony with nature. Time seems to stand still in this idyllic village, where traditional ways of life have been preserved for centuries. Visiting Shirakawago is akin to stepping back in time, offering a glimpse into a bygone era. The village's unique charm and timeless beauty attract visitors throughout the year, each season showcasing a distinct and captivating landscape.

The Unique Charm of Gassho-style Houses

The distinctive feature of the Gassho-style village is its cluster of traditional houses, some dating back over 250 years. These houses are characterized by their thatched roofs, constructed using a technique known as Gassho-zukuri (合掌造り). The term "Gassho" signifies "joined hands," aptly describing the shape of the steeply-pitched thatched roofs, resembling two hands clasped in prayer. This design, with its 60-degree angle, allows the snow and wind of the harsh winters to slide off easily.

Shirakawa-go's distinctive gassho-style houses, with their thatched roofs resembling hands in prayer, and the villagers' traditional way of life have earned it a place as Japan's sixth cultural World Heritage Site since 1995.

The thatched roofs of the Gassho-style houses (Gassho-zukuri 合掌造り) are initially 1 meter thick. The thick, 60-degree angled roofs are designed to withstand heavy snowfall and prevent accidents caused by snow accumulation. This design is essential due to the heavy snowfall in the region.

When the roof is damaged and needs to be replaced or repaired, villagers in the community will come together to help each other, similar to the way they used to help each other harvest rice. However, Aunt Noda, the owner of the house, says that this type of communal effort is becoming less common, and most people now hire contractors to do the work.

Each house in this farming village faces three types of enemies: deterioration over time, the threat of fire, and the weight of accumulated snow. As the houses are constructed from wood and straw, fire prevention is of paramount importance to the villagers. Smoking is strictly prohibited, as is the use of fireworks.

Fire prevention campaign is crucial. Patrol units are regularly deployed to inspect the surrounding areas of the village, and sprinkler systems are tested periodically. This is evident in the images of water spraying that are regularly featured in advertising media.

The picturesque image of a village nestled amidst pristine snow, a popular tourist destination, belies the harsh reality faced by its inhabitants during this season. From December to March, heavy snowfall accumulates, reaching depths of 2-3 meters. Villagers must laboriously climb onto their roofs to clear the snow, preventing it from becoming too heavy and causing the roofs to collapse. The accumulated snow also transforms the thatched roofs into ice, further exacerbating the challenges.

Strong winds and typhoons pose a significant natural threat to the village. However, the traditional Gassho-zukuri (合掌造り) architectural style, passed down for centuries, has effectively mitigated the impact of wind on this ancient settlement. Gassho-zukuri houses are meticulously constructed with roofs facing in a uniform direction, from west to east, effectively shielding the village from the north-south winds that follow the course of the river flowing through the village.

Nestled in a valley traversed by a flowing stream, Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage Site, requires all visitors to cross the Deaibashi Bridge (であい橋) spanning the Shogawa River (庄川). During the autumn season, around early November, the mountains behind the valley are adorned with breathtaking foliage, as if someone had painted the slopes with vibrant hues.

A Half-Day Visit to a World Heritage Village: A Glimpse into the Past

While a half-day visit to a World Heritage village may offer a glimpse into its beauty and cultural heritage, it may not fully capture the essence of the community's way of life. To truly immerse oneself in the village's rich history and traditions, many choose to stay overnight, allowing them to experience life at a slower pace and learn about the villagers' daily routines. This immersive experience transports visitors back in time, offering a unique opportunity to understand the community's past and present.

Many farmhouses in Japan now offer overnight accommodation in the form of homestays known as Minshuku (民宿). These homestays allow tourists to stay in the homes of local farmers, providing a unique opportunity to experience traditional Japanese rural life firsthand.

The host welcomed us as family, offering tatami-mat rooms, futon beds, and communal ofuro baths. The hostess prepared two meals a day using local ingredients, including homegrown rice. While communication with the host primarily requires Japanese, the increasing popularity of village tourism among international visitors has mitigated language barriers.

Minshuku: A Unique Japanese Homestay Experience

Minshuku, traditional Japanese homestays, offer a unique cultural immersion experience. However, booking these accommodations requires careful planning. Reservations often need to be made more than three months in advance, and during peak season, this timeframe can extend to six months. Additionally, some minshuku may only allow single-night stays to accommodate more guests. This policy ensures that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy this authentic lodging option.

Booking a Homestay (Minshuku) in Shirakawago

There are two ways to book a homestay (Minshuku) in the farming village of Shirakawago:

1. To reserve a house, send an email to [email protected] with your desired dates and details. The staff will respond with available houses and assist you in selecting one.

2. Make a direct phone reservation with the accommodation (using Japanese for communication).

However, if time constraints prevent an overnight stay in the farming village, tourists can still gain insights into the ancient community's way of life by visiting houses that have been converted into museums, such as the Kandake House, the Wadake House, and the Myozenji Temple.

MINKAEN Open-Air Museum (Gassho-style Houses)

Gasshozukuri Minkaen Open-Air Museum

This is the translation of the sentence "พิพิธภัณฑ์กลางแจ้ง Gasshozukuri MINKAEN(合掌造り民家園)" from Thai to English.

The Open-Air Museum of the Old Village recreates the atmosphere of ancient Japanese life, with 26 Gasshozukuri-style houses, including 9 designated as prefectural cultural properties.

Admission to the Gasshozukuri MINKAEN Open-Air Museum costs 600 yen for adults and 400 yen for children. Visitors can enter and exit the museum as many times as they like within one day.

Among the many scenic spots in the farming village of Shirakawago (白川郷) that tourists enjoy photographing, there are three that should not be missed:

1. Shiroyama View Point (城山展望台), located on a hilltop, offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

2. Three houses in the Kanmachi area (かん町)

3. Myozenji Temple (明善寺)

The three points suggest that Myozenji Temple (明善寺) is a popular tourist destination for photography. Its convenient location and striking appearance make it a popular spot. Additionally, the rice paddy in front of the temple, which forms a pool of water, is a popular location for capturing the temple's reflection in the water.

Three houses in the Kanmachi (かん町) area are another must-see viewpoint. This viewpoint is a bit of a walk from the community, but the view of the three houses with their hands clasped in prayer, arranged in a neat row, is worth the effort.

Shiroyama Viewpoint (城山展望台)

A scenic viewpoint atop a hill overlooking the village, a must-visit for tourists.

This viewpoint offers breathtaking views of the surrounding forest and the village nestled below. Visitors can choose to hike up the hill or take a bus for 200 yen. The panoramic vista from the top is truly remarkable, showcasing the vibrant colors of the changing seasons. However, during the winter months, the path leading to the viewpoint remains closed due to safety concerns caused by heavy snowfall.

The hike up to Shiroyama View Point is not without its safety concerns, as bears have been increasingly coming down the mountain in search of food. The homeowner, an elderly woman, recounted a recent incident where a villager was attacked by a bear and had their ear bitten off. To ensure peace of mind, hiking up and down the hill in a group is a good option, as the well-maintained trail takes only about 10 minutes to traverse. The scenery along the way is just as beautiful and unique as the view from the top.

How to Get to Shirakawa-go

From Nagoya to Shirakawa-go: A Scenic Journey

Traveling from Nagoya to Shirakawa-go offers a picturesque journey through the Japanese countryside. The trip begins at JR Nagoya Station, where you board the JR Hida Wideview train. This scenic train ride takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, culminating at JR Takayama Station.

Upon arrival at Takayama Station, a 50-minute bus ride awaits. The Nohi Bus departs from the station and transports passengers directly to the entrance of Shirakawa-go village. This charming village, nestled amidst the mountains, is renowned for its traditional gassho-style houses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the absence of a JR Pass, consider utilizing the Nohi Bus service. Departing from JR Nagoya Station, the journey to JR Takayama Station takes approximately two and a half hours. Subsequently, board another Nohi Bus at JR Takayama Station for a 50-minute ride to Shirakawago village. If feasible, opt for the JR Hida Wideview train, as the scenic views along its route are exceptional.

Alternatively, renting a car and driving from Takayama for a day trip is another option.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.