Japan has around twenty-six world heritage sites. This shows how culturally diverse and full of history Japan is.
I have visited several places in Japan but this visit to Shirakawa-go was a unique one (this is a part of my Kanazawa 3-day itinerary). It’s always nice to go back in history even in this modern world that is full of scientific discoveries.
A Priceless Japanese Heritage: Gassho Houses in Shirakawa-go
I was surprised as well as happy to see the traditional lifestyle and it really was a surreal experience for me.
Tenshukaku Observatory
This observation area is a huge blessing for everyone who wants to have a look at the Gassho-Houses.
This observatory is present in Ogi-machi and the beautiful environment of this village adds to the beauty of the Gassho-Houses. If I could explain the sight from tenshukaku Observatory in one word, I would describe it as a tranquil experience.
Tenshukaku Observatory -Historical Stone
The historical stone that is present at tenshukaku Observatory is actually a monument that tells us about the history of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama.
It’s inscribed with the declaration of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama as historic villages and has a lot of information regarding Gassho-Houses.
The preservation of Gassho-Houses and other monumental historical sites is surely something to be admired. Some of them like the Yanohara Family House was even relocated from here to the Sankeien Garden in Yokohama. It was duly recognized by the world heritage organization and hence these villages were declared as places of world historical sites.
Map from Information Center
This place consists of a large landscape and hence sometimes people tend to get lost in their tracks. This is where the map from the Information Center helps. It completely guides you regarding the places that you should visit here.
The map also tells us about the different eating places and some gift shops that are present in this area.
If you want to fully enjoy your trip, then you should try and visit each and every spot that is mentioned on the map.
Shirakawa-go Suspension Bridge
The Ogi-machi suspension bridge, also known as Shirakawa-go Suspension Bridge acts as a connector from the outside area to the heart of Ogi-machi village.
This bridge is suspended over the river.
The bridge is very narrow, and you almost must make way for other visitors as they come along and are enjoying the beauty of the clear fresh water that is flowing beneath the river.
As you are walking over the bridge, cold gusts of wind calm and soothe your soul to the core and you just can’t help yourself to stand there still and capture the beauty with the lens of your eyes as well as the camera.
The View from Shirakawa-go Suspension Bridge
The view is just a sight to behold. When I visited, there was not much water flowing down the river, but that’s just pure luck. When the river is in full flow, you see that turquoise-colored water that’s so soothing to the eyes and the soul.
However, even without the flow of the river, the mountains and the trees that we get to see from the bridge are so beautiful that you just simply cannot take your eyes off this thing of beauty.
Shogawa River
This river starts flowing from Mount Eboshi into the Shirakawa-go area.
It flows for around seventy-one miles through the northern part of the Gifu area and then it empties into Toyama Bay.
When the river is in full flow, it looks very beautiful. The water is totally clear, and you can see even the little stones that are present at the base of the river.
However, when I visited the area, the river was not really flowing but still it was a beautiful sight to see with all the soothing and natural environment around.
Gassho Zukuri House
Gassho Zukuri House is a traditional Japanese built house. Some important features of these types of houses are:
- It’s formed by combining wooden beams
- A steep roof is built
- The roof looks like two hands together
The houses were built in this particular way to suit the harsh weather of Shirakawa-go. There used to be heavy snow fall in this area of Japan and hence the steep roof helped for the snow to fall off without really damaging the material of the roof.
Even when the houses were built, the direction was also kept in mind. The houses were built in such a way that it used to face north and south to minimize the effects of quick gusts of winds.
Also, the houses were built with keeping in mind the direction of the sun as well, the angle of the house helped the houses to remain cold in summer and hot in winters.
The Gassho Zukuri houses are surely a brilliant combination of art and science of the past era, and the reason people are so surprised at the brilliance of these houses is because there was not much technology available at the time of building these houses.
However, credit must also be given to everyone who played their role in preservation of these houses as well. The oldest house is considered to be around 300 years old.
Without a doubt these houses were built very strongly but still the harsh environment played its role and some of the houses were destroyed over time.
But then a preservation movement started that helped to preserve the remaining houses and now these houses are in a pretty decent condition.
To preserve the houses, in 1971, three rules were set up and made compulsory for everyone to follow:
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- Not to sell
- Not to rent
- Not to destroy
These Gassho Zukuri houses are architecturally very rational and the art and science behind these Gassho-Houses was praised by people all over the world.
Souvenir shop
There is a souvenir shop that is set up for the tourists to take away some monuments from the place. People have some spiritual attachment as well to these places and they take these souvenirs as a token of luck.
Coffee Shop
When you are tired by walking through the isles, there is a coffee shop right around the corner. It will give you the required caffeine to keep you moving and going for more.
Main Path
The main path is full of pathways that are neat and clean and here you observe the simple life of people of Shirakawa-go.
This also shows how people can still live simply and happily if they are content with what they have.
The beautiful scenery along the place also makes it a memorable trip and as you are walking on the road, it seems as if you are moving back in time.
Map
There is a map on the main path that guides you regarding the pathway and the places that you can visit along the way. It’s always useful to keep the map in mind while you are planning your travel through the area.
Paddy Field
As you move along the main path, you also see a paddy Field on the sideway which represents the agricultural history of the area and also shows the simple style of living of the people of this area.
Clean Drain
Despite the area being a very historic place. The system of drainage is excellent, and the drain was totally clean without any garbage. This is because of the excellent cleanliness in the area and there was no garbage around.
People of the area really like to keep the area neat and clean to the best of their ability.
Fruit on the tree
The land of the area is very fertile as there are beautiful fruits on the trees that can be seen.
The fruits on the trees add to the beauty of the scene and the complete environment is full of tranquility and serenity.
Kanda House and Inside Kanda House
Kanda house is one of the many Gassho Zukuri houses that are present in Shirakawa-go.
It’s so traditionally built out of wood and looks so spacious and full of places to store. Moreover, the traditional look is evident from the designs. These houses are a big tourist attraction and people absolutely love visiting this place.
Traditional ancient equipment
There is even a lot of Traditional Ancient equipment that is present inside the house. There are a few machetes and other equipment from ancient history.
The view from the inside window of the house is a beautiful one as you get to see all the Greenery that is around.
Kanda House – How to make sake
There is even a proper description of how traditional sake, which is actually an old rice wine of Japan, is made. This sake is traditionally as well as spiritually important for the people of Japan.
Nagase House Entrance
The entrance of Nagase House describes the fee of entrance, and there is a map present there that could help.
The entrance is very simple and is made up of a single door.
View from Nagase House Window
As I was looking out from the window of Nagase house, the sun was shining through as I could see the Greenery that was all around.
The inside view of Nagase house takes us back to history and it beautifully represents the old times. It’s the largest Gassho Zukuri house with a 5-floor building.
On the first floor there is a grand Buddhist altar which dates back to almost 500 years ago.
The family that used to reside here were a family of doctors and hence we can see a number of medical instruments in the house.
Myozen Ji museum
The walls of the Myozen ji museum are covered with mud and it makes them fire resistant.
There is a right above the fireplace which might help to extinguish the fire sparks in case of some emergency.
This building was a Gassho style house but later on it was converted into a museum for the tourists to come and experience.
Inside Myozen Ji museum
The inside of the museum shows where the family used to sit at the house. The head used to sit at the center and the family used to sit around him with his wife at the right side.
Also, there is a four level attic at top floor that contains ornaments, utensils and a number of tools.
There are a number of bindings as well that hold off the roof.
There are a number of things to see and enjoy when you visit this museum.
Myozen Ji Temple
This temple belongs to the Buddhist school of thought.
This temple was actually a residence of a prominent monk, and it was later turned into a temple due to the spiritual affiliation of the people.
Shirakawa Hachiman shrine
Shirakawa Hachiman shrine is one of those shrines that were converted from a place of worship to Shirakawa Hachiman shrine.
This conversion was because of the rise in influence of the warrior class of that time.
There is also a giant cedar tree right beside the gate of the shrine and a number of Buddha statues are there as well.
All in all, my visit to Shirakawa-go was full of serenity and tranquility and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
