S h i r a k a w a - g o

This is the reason why I was so keen to go to Shirakawa-go, to spend a night in one of the thatched roof Minshuku in the village of Ogimachi. I would love to go when the snow is thicker like it is above, but unfortunately, we could not travel during the late winter months. The above photo is taken from a fellow blogger named Ling. Credit goes to her and her wonderful shot of the village.

This is our photo, and being early winter, we did not get as much snow. Nonetheless, I had a wonderful time here as I added this to my to-visit-before-I-die places.

 The girls buying food from the vending machine at the bus station before we board for Shirakawa-go.

Yes, you can buy taiyaki off the vending machine.

 The folks are happy to arrived at the destination.

 The region of Shirakawa-go receive a large amount of snow fall every winter. We did not get to see much since it is still December.

Not much snow but the weather was very cold.

 Across the bridge is Ogimachi Village, the largest village with the most gassho-zukuri farmhouses in Shirakawa-go.

 Some information of the bridge.

 Interesting manhole cover design.

 Ogimachi is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many of its farmhouses over a couple of centuries old.

 The village draws in thousands of tourists yearly, and where this is tourist, there is gift shop.

 Myozenji Temple. Look at the shear size of the thatched roof.

 We boys decided to check out the hill.

 The village is surrounded by mountains, hence it has a valley feel.

 Many of the farmhouses have been converted to museums, restaurants or minshuku.

 Beagle outside a liquor store.

 Calm water that would soon be frozen.

 Irrigation farming to supply water to the land and agricultural crops.

 A lone persimmon tree.

 The gassho houses are protected and will never be demolised. In fact, it is illegal to even sell it away.

 A chance to have us photographed together.

 Admiring the impressive gassho farmhouses with the mist setting in.

 The sun setting a glow on the front.

 This is the Minshuku where we stayed a night.

 The place is run by an elderly couple and their daughter.

 Working shoes made of straw.

 Historical artifacts displayed inside the Minshuku.

 Our travel companions were quick to settle down.

 The dinner that was prepared by the host.

 Our hosts. The elderly man is 90 years old, and he is still working hard daily. 

 We trekked up to Shiroyama viewpoint the next morning.

 The viewpoint offers a fantastic view of the village.

 This is the famous view of Ogimachi Village....

 ....and with us for a picture perfect setting.

Ok. I have been there and done that. It would actually be perfect if there had been more snow, but I cannot be greedy. I am thankful that the weather has been great throughout, as it would be a disaster if we were to trap-in because of heavy snowing. We still have another place to visit after here. 

And another travel trip awaiting....