We leave behind Kyoto and its countless temples to begin our return journey to Tokyo, this time crossing the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. The first destination is Takayama, a small village almost entirely free of tourists and famous for its daily market by the river.
Shirakawago
The visit to Takayama lasts just two nights, which are incredibly useful and necessary to take the first moments of rest after 9 days spent rushing around and trying to see as many places as possible. At dawn on the third day, we head towards Shirakawago, a picturesque mountain village located in Gifu Prefecture, in central Japan. It is famous for its traditional gasshō-zukuri (合掌造り) houses, literally meaning 'joined hands,' named because the sloping roofs resemble hands pressed together in prayer. This design helps snow slide off easily, as the area is prone to heavy snowfall in the winter. Shirakawa-go, along with Gokayama (in Toyama Prefecture), was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.
Shiroyama's observatory
Overlooking the village is the Shiroyama Observatory, which can be reached with a comfortable 15–20 minute uphill walk or by shuttle bus. It offers the best panoramic view of Shirakawa and is also known for frequent bear sightings.
The houses with thatched roofs
The houses of Shirakawa-go are a symbol of traditional Japanese architecture. This village is famous for its gassho-zukuri style houses, which are characterized by their thatched roofs shaped like “hands joined in prayer” (hence the name gassho, meaning "joined hands"). The shape of the roof is designed to allow snow to slide off easily, taking into account the heavy snowfall the area experiences in winter. The houses are built mainly from wood and other natural materials available locally, and they often have multiple floors, with the upper floor used for storing rice and other resources. The residents lived in harmony with nature, maintaining a direct connection with agricultural work and food production. The thick, carefully crafted thatched roofs are made to ensure durability even in harsh weather conditions. The houses of Shirakawa-go were built centuries ago and are designed to withstand the region’s severe climate. Today, many of these houses are still used as homes, while others have become tourist attractions. The village draws visitors from around the world, who come to admire the traditional houses and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area, including mountains, rivers, and breathtaking views.
The break from the scorching temperatures of the big cities continues, heading toward Kanazawa—the final stop before returning to Tokyo. Kanazawa, a city famous for its gold leaf production, will be the star of the next installment of this blog.
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