Tag: JP – Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

Source: Sightseeing in Kanazawa, Japan – Top 5 Lesser-Known Locations | Mountainwatch

Repeat visitors venture off Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto ‘golden route’…

Source: Foreign tourists enrich areas beyond Japan’s sightseeing corridor

There are plenty of places in Japan that are worth a spot on your itinerary. From beach towns to ancient cities, here are 12 places worth visiting.

Source: 12 places you should visit in Japan that aren’t Tokyo

SHIRAKAWA, Gifu Prefecture–Toshinobu Ota was contemplating the huge cost of re-thatching the roof…

Source: New blood helps maintain World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go：The Asahi Shimbun

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It was just last summer when I first had the chance to visit Japan.

Source: Six days in Japan: Fuji, Donki & more | Philstar.com

Toyama Prefecture in Japan has verdant mountains, picturesque beaches, fine historical sites and World Cultural Heritage Gokayama villages. The best way to explore it is on a bicycle and this post shares what to see & do on the cycling routes, plus restaurants and accommodation in Toyama Prefecture.

Source: Toyama Prefecture: saddle up for one of the world’s most beautiful bays – World Travel Guide

Rugby World Cup 2019 Travel Guide: Takayama – Discover Japan’s past, deep in its beautiful countryside in the Gifu Prefecture…

Source: Rugby World Cup 2019 Travel Guide: Takayama in the Gifu Prefecture

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This isolated mountain village showcases unique and stunning traditional architecture.

Source: A Traditional Japanese Village Untouched By Time

Nestled in the Japanese alps is this picture-perfect town Shirakawa-go that looks like Narnia in real life.

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Lomographer Bernard Ang takes us to the snowy villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama in Japan.

Source: Lomography – Around the World: Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, Japan

It was coming on winter in Los Angeles, and I was missing snow. Boston-born, I missed snow’s ozone aroma (snow does have a smell, you know). I missed its soft crunch under my feet. And coincidentally, I was also missing Japan, a land that has fascinated me ever since third grade when, for a show-and-tell project, at the suggestion of Mrs. Reggolino, who also had a Japan thing going on, I built a traditional Japanese home out of balsa wood and paper, complete with shoji screens (yes, I was a precocious child). Some places I visit only once and see no need to return. Others, such as Japan, I have visited multiple times. I love the food and culture but mostly I love the people and the respect they show each another and to visitors.

Read more from source: The Japanese Alps in winter offer snow, sake … and monkeys in hot springs

From a World Heritage-listed alpine town a few hours from Osaka, to Nagano’s Olympic ski slopes, to picturesque northern Hokkaido, a winter getaway will reward visitors keen for white landscapes before spring does its thing

By mid-March, most of Japan’s snowy landscapes begin to recede and fade as spring kicks in but there are pockets where you can still find snow until April, and even May. Here are five locations across Japan offering a last glimpse of winter’s white blanket.

Shirakawa-go, Gifu

Unesco World Heritage-listed Shirakawa-go is an alpine town famous for houses built with distinctive thatched ‘Gassho-zukuri’ roofs, literally meaning ‘hands in prayers’ – named after their steep structure. These sturdy houses have withstood the test of winters and heavy snow, some for over 250 years, and are popular as minshuku, or Japanese bed and breakfasts, throughout the seasons.

Although spring brings warmth, Shirakawa-go usually has snowy terrain until early May.

Source: Where to enjoy last-minute snow in Japan before the thaw sets in

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The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-gō is one of the most picturesque, hence most popular destinations in Japan. In the “World Heritage Area”, gassho style houses built from around 1800 still stand to this day. In this area, even now, the people continue going about their daily lives, surrounded by the unique and beautiful scenery.

The best time to be in Shirakawa-go is in winter. The spectacular view of the snow-capped mountains and traditional houses will leave you in awe for weeks.

Getting Here:

From Nagoya:
From Nagoya Station, walk to Meitetsu BC Bus Stop.
Buy bus tickets to Shirakawa-go via Gifu Bus.
Alight at Shirakawago BT Bus Stop.
Travel time: 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Bus fare: ¥3900

From Tokyo: 
Take the Shinkansen Hokuriku to Toyama Station.
Travel time: 2 hours, 11 minutes.
Fare + Reserved Seat Fee: ¥12,730
Switch to Nouhi Bus and alight at Shirakawago BT Bus Stop.
Travel time: 1 hour, 25 minutes.
Bus fare: ¥1700
Total travel time: 3.5 hours (excluding the waiting time)
Total fare: ¥14,430

From Osaka/Kyoto: 
Take the Ltd. Express Thunderbird to Kanazawa Station.
Travel time: 2 hours, 44 minutes.
Fare: ¥7130
From Kanazawa Station, transfer to a Nohi Bus bound for Shirakawa-go.

Source: 6D5N Takayama-Hokuriku Experience Itinerary – Shirakawa-go – KAMPUNGBOYCITYGAL

The war hero has become a draw for tourists– and a tool of moral education in rural Japan.

GIFU PREFECTURE, Japan — When Japan’s prime minister visited the Baltics earlier this month to seal a valuable trade pact, he briefly detoured to the city of Kaunas, Lithuania, to honor a man from his country who once defied its empire and saved thousands of lives.

So goes the story of Chiune Sugihara, an Imperial Japanese diplomat to Lithuania during World War II who, at the onset of the Holocaust, issued roughly 3,000 transit visas to fleeing Polish Jews. His tale went untold for decades before Israel recognized him as righteous among the nations in 1984, and before Tokyo, more recently, embraced him as a noble rebel, an exemplary figure and a national humanitarian symbol.

As Sugihara grows in importance to Japan, so too has controversy and disagreement grown over the lionization of his legacy– between successive governments, within his own family and amongst historians, all of whom agree that Sugihara’s documented actions during the war are worthy of celebration and pride.

Source: Lionizing a rebel: Japan’s embrace of Chiune Sugihara

It’s wintertime in Japan! And what can you expect during this season? Snow, of course! Lots of snow! This, however, shouldn’t stop you from traveling and having fun. Here are three things you can do for a fascinating winter experience in Japan!

1. Visit the famous World Heritage Site, Shirakawa-go

Located in Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is a village located at the foot of Mt. Haku with a river running through it. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. When you visit this place, it really feels like you have discovered a winter wonderland! So pretty!

In the village are traditional Japanese farmhouses that are still standing. Some of these farmhouses, also known as “gassho-zukuri,” are more than 200 years old. These houses were all handmade and their architectural designs were developed through generations. The thatched roofs were made with no nails but are strong enough to endure heavy snow.

Source: 3 Must-Try Activities for a Wonderful and Fascinating Winter Experience in Japan – Japan Info

With a view like this, the cold will definitely not bother you in any way.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan’s Gifu prefecture transforms into one of the most magical places on Earth during winter.

Whether it’s the bustling shopping streets in Tokyo, gorgeously saccharine sakura flowers during spring or its abundance of rustic temples and shrines, Japan is a country that allures over and over again. From the shopaholics to foodies, nature-lovers and culture vultures, Japan certainly has got it all to cater to every type of traveller. And guess what? Here’s one more thing that we can add to the list for Japan being one of the most versatile holiday destinations – winter wonderland.

Located in the Gifu prefecture of Japan lies Shirakawa-go, a picturesque mountain village that is located at the foot of Mt. Haku-san. Come winter, this idyllic little town transforms into the most splendid winter wonderland, receiving snowfall that can reach up to two metres every single year!

Source: A Look Into Shirakawa-go, Japan’s Winter Wonderland

When I think of Japan, my mind automatically conjures up images of these attractions: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Mt. Fuji, anime, and cherry blossoms. But there’s one image that is forever etched in my memory from now on — Shirakawa-go.

Shirakawa-go: What You Need to Know

With hundreds of years of history, Shirakawa-go is one of Japan’s cultural treasures. In fact, in 1995 this majestic, picture-perfect village was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Nestled in the mountainous Gifu Prefecture in the central region, it earns its nickname the Heartland of Japan. The surrounding peaks add to its irresistibly rustic charm, which draws in tourists, mostly on a Central Japan packaged tours or a day trip from Nagoya.

It’s one of those places that you would think only exists in fantasy films or your wildest dreams.

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