Japan Trip🇯🇵 Shirakawa-go, a world heritage site that you should see at least once in your lifetime

Japan Trip🇯🇵 Shirakawa-go, a world heritage site that you should see at least once in your lifetime

This time, I will visit Shirakawa-go, a world heritage site in Gifu Prefecture. Please enjoy your journey to the end in search of Japan’s original scenery. Well, this time we will start in front of Takayama Station! Aiming for Shirakawa-go, a world heritage site. Today we will be taking care of Nohi Bus Center.

As you can see from the map, Takayama city is surrounded by mountains and gets a lot of snow in winter. However, there are so many bus routes to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kanazawa, etc. that you would not think it is deep in the mountains.

There are about 5 companies operating just the buses that go to Shirakawa-go, and the one we will be using today is the Kaetsunou bus, which departs at 1:20 p.m. The fare to Shirakawa-go is 2,600 yen. Reservations are required depending on the time of day, including this bus.

If you look at the Nohi Bus website, you will find a comprehensive list of buses and timetables from each company. The bus came and we got on it♪ I had booked quite early so I was seated at the front.

It’s fun to be able to look ahead, but the downside of being in the front row is that you can’t stretch your legs lol. Now, let’s leave Takayama Station! It takes about 50 minutes to Shirakawa-go. We plan to arrive at 2:10 p.m.

Along the way, we picked up some candy that we got by operating Japan’s oldest UFO catcher at the Retro Museum in Takayama. Enjoying the nostalgic sweetness… The bus leaves the city and heads into the mountains in no time. The bus took the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway and got off at Shirakawa-go IC.

Shirakawa-go, a so-called world heritage site, is a little further on, but this area is also part of Shirakawa Village. Arrived at Shirakawago Bus Terminal! This bus is bound for Takaoka Station in Toyama Prefecture, so some people simply ride the bus without getting off here. Now then, let’s go to the World Heritage Sites!

The bus stop is located on the north side of Shirakawa-go, with an observation deck that is a famous tourist spot behind it. So it might be a good idea to go to the observation deck first when you arrive. There is also a bus that costs 200 yen one way.

Just when I thought about it, I just left…! I arrived at 2:10pm and the bus left in 20 minutes, so I could have just walked straight and made it in time. I was taking a video and relaxing at the bus terminal, but I missed the bus.

I had no choice but to walk up the hill. It takes about 15 minutes to walk slowly. By the way, the slope is quite steep and long. Arrived at the observation deck! That’s a nice view. Shirakawa-go is famous for its thatched-roof gassho-zukuri architecture, which is a World Heritage Site.

This observatory is located on the north side of the village, but the gassho-zukuri roofs are facing roughly the same direction. This is due to the topography, as the wind tends to blow north and south along mountain ridges and river lines.

The plane of the roof is parallel to the mountain or river to reduce wind resistance. The aim is also to match the direction of the sun so that the sun hits the roof evenly. Either way, the scenery looks better if they are facing the same way.

By the way, this place is called “Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observation Deck”. The ruins of Ogimachi Castle are also nearby. Okay, let’s get off now. The sun was shining a little and the air suddenly felt like summer. I got off the observation deck and returned to the main street.

It is a view that is said to be the so-called original Japanese landscape. The temperature is just right and it’s fun just walking around. Now, let’s take a tour of the gassho-zukuri style house.

I came to the Wada House, which is over 300 years old and has been designated as a national important cultural property. It’s temporarily closed today. I have no choice but to go to another gassho-zukuri. By the way, Mr. Wada, who I have toured before,

Is still opening the house where he actually lives to tourists. Inside, you can also see how silkworms were raised, which was a major industry during the Meiji period. Now, after a short walk, we headed to the Gassho-zukuri Nagase House, which is also open for tours.

The Nagase family is an old family that has been around for about 250 years, and the building was built in 1899. The person currently living here is Mr. Nagase, the 7th generation. I wasn’t there today, but I heard that they sometimes do receptions. Well then, I’ll visit Mr. Nagase’s house!

The building has five floors, and the first floor is mainly used for living. Furniture and Buddhist altars are displayed between the tatami mats. Mr. Nagase seems to have been a doctor from the first generation to the third generation, and medical tools were also on display.

In 2001, the roof was re-roofed for the first time in 80 years and was broadcast on TV. And the hearth room, which is indispensable for Gassho-zukuri houses. The soot from the smoke that rises from the hearth and permeates the house has insect repellent and antiseptic properties. The image is like this from Kamikochi.

Wisdom for living in a wooden building. Ceilings and pillars that are smoky turn black, but this serves to protect the house. As a result, the lifespan of houses that are no longer occupied by people is suddenly shortened.

What’s on top is a wooden board called “hiama,” which has the effect of diffusing heat and smoke and preventing sparks. Next, climb the steep stairs to the upper floor. The space on the mezzanine floor serves as the residence for the servants.

The ceiling is low so that you don’t have to raise your head above the master. This is an idea that is no longer seen in modern times. However, at that time, servants were probably accepted as something natural. However, in any case, it is interesting that they consciously incorporate this into architecture.

By the way, there were also men who lived in the area and worked on the cultivation, and were called “sakuotoko.” On the third and fourth floors, agricultural tools from the time are on display, but it was originally a space for raising silkworms.

Shirakawa Village is surrounded by mountains and has little arable land, and most of it is national forest, making forestry unsustainable. For this reason, sericulture, which produces expensive raw silk, has long been one of the main industries in Shirakawa Village.

Furthermore, if you look at the wooden structure of Gassho-zukuri, it is full of ropes and no nails are used. Straw rope and “Neso” are used for binding. “Neso” is made by twisting the trunk of a tree called “witch hazel,” and it seems that the more it dries, the tighter and stronger it becomes.

I think the one on the right is probably “Neso”. Not using nails gives it flexibility, making it easier to withstand heavy snow and wind. The roof of the gassho-zukuri style is thatched. The grass used for roofs is a general term for plants of the grass family, such as pampas grass, reed, and straw.

The main material used in Gassho-zukuri is the chestnut tree, which belongs to the Fagaceae family. It is a highly durable material that is resistant to moisture, and was once used for railway sleepers. By the way, thatched roofs can be seen in other areas, but Shirakawa-go and Gokayama have an unusual shape.

For example, Ouchi-juku in Fukushima Prefecture. This thatched roof shape is called “Yosemune.” “Yosemune” is characterized by being covered with thatched roofs on all four sides. There is also “Irimoyane”, which is a hybrid and can also be seen in castles and shrines.

On the other hand, the thatched roofs of Shirakawa-go are characterized by their “Kiritsuma” shape. A gable is shaped like a hipped roof with the end cut off, and this side is called a “tsuma.”

Gassho-zukuri also has a “sasu structure,” in which trees are inserted from the left and right sides and intersect at the top of the roof. It has the advantage of being able to escape wind well and being resistant to earthquakes by being properly bent.

“A thatched house with a fork-necked gabled roof to make active use of the space inside the hut.” This feature of the “Shirakawa-go/Gokayama Gassho-zukuri Village” is a requirement for nomination as a World Heritage Site. The gassho-zukuri structure was also suitable for the sericulture industry.

Not only can you make use of the large attic space, but the gable side is wide open. For this reason, the design is such that the north-south winds that I talked about at the observation deck can easily escape, relieving you of the heat.

You can also warm and dry your clothes in the hearth from indoors. Therefore, it is easy to adjust the temperature and humidity for silkworms, which are sensitive to them. Well, after leaving the Nagase house, we went for a walk again. The water is beautiful after all.

This kind of thing is summery and nice. The origin of gassho-zukuri is said to be because it resembles the shape of the arms when the palms are pressed together. The angle of the roof is approximately 45 to 60 degrees to allow snow to fall off easily.

It seems that the later Gassho-style buildings were built, the steeper the slope. Isn’t the eave too low in the middle? Looking at the height of the entrance, it’s shorter than my height, but I wonder if the width is a little wider?

By the way, in addition to the Wada House and the Nagase House, there are other gassho-zukuri houses that you can tour inside. Myozenji Temple, founded in 1736, is a rare temple with thatched roofs such as the main hall and bell tower gate.

Although you won’t be able to enter today, you can also take a tour of the main hall. Then head to the south side of the village. For those coming by car, there is a parking lot over there, so cross this Deai Bridge and enter Shirakawa-go.

Although you don’t have to cross the 107m long suspension bridge that spans the Shogawa River with a great view, I decided to come and see it. Actually, the bus was originally in the same parking lot, so I was surprised when I arrived without knowing it had changed.

Perhaps the number of tourists increased and they were dispersed. I think the place where the bus terminal was located earlier was a hospital. The bridge shakes a lot when many people cross it. And this is the southernmost part of the tour today. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the bus terminal.

Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine is said to have been built between 708 and 714. The cedar tree that stands here was apparently planted when the shrine was moved here in 1635. It’s impressive that it’s 400 years old. It’s a calm place with very few people.

The Doburoku Festival is held in Shirakawa-go from late September to October. Doburoku is a special feature of the festival, where “Doburoku” is served as a sacred sake at festivals to pray for a rich harvest, safety for one’s family, and peace for the village.

It is held at Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine from October 14th to 15th every year. If you buy a choko, you can drink all you want, so I’d like to try it someday. This shrine is also a sacred place in the anime “Higurashi no Naku Koro ni”.

For this reason, the shrine grounds are lined with rows of votive tablets depicting these illustrations. Now, let’s take a break. I came to “Imafuji Shoten.” The store sells souvenirs, and there is also a local sake bar. However, today I will have some light sweets.

“Doburoku-style soft serve ice cream” (400 yen) made with Shirakawago’s famous “Doburoku”. I also ordered “Apple Fruit Hida Milk with Honey (500 yen)”. It is topped with pop confectionery made using rice from Shirakawa-go and sake powder. It’s delicious♪ Does it smell like alcohol?

The popsicles are crispy. I think it reproduces the feel of rice grains in doburoku. Stir in the milk too. I’ll enjoy having this. Oh, this is also rich. The crunchiness of the apples is also nice. It’s quite thick, so mix in a little more honey… Both are full of sweetness.

I cooled down a bit and left the store. Well, I guess I’ll just take a leisurely walk until it’s time for the bus. My bus leaves at 5:30 p.m. You can see a lot of things in 3 hours.

Shirakawa-go and Gokayama were recognized as world heritage sites in 1995 due to their gassho-style architecture. However, if you go around the village, there are many buildings other than Gassho-zukuri. If you want to capture only Gassho-zukuri buildings in a landscape photo, it can be quite difficult to find a location.

Originally, gassho-zukuri style became popular due to the sericulture industry. Also, at the time, it was difficult to split up households due to the small amount of land available, and the need to secure workers for the sericulture industry.

Shirakawa Village became a large family through a system called “Saihokon”, which is rare in the world. To put it simply, the second son and subsequent sons do not become independent from their parents, work at their parents’ home during the day, and raise their children at their wife’s home.

Houses with 30 to 40 people were common, so Gassho-zukuri style inevitably grew in size. Oh, this is amazing. It looks like something out of a Ghibli movie. However, of course, there is no longer a sericulture industry or a large family system, so the gassho-zukuri style was not necessarily the best way to live.

A German architect who visited in 1935 praised Gassho-zukuri as “architecturally rational and logical.” However, I think it is also logical and natural that the population decreased as the surrounding transportation network and industry changed. When you cross the Deai Bridge, you feel like you’re entering a theme park like a movie village.

However, in the evening, elementary school students wearing school bags walk past tourists and enter private houses. It’s also interesting to realize that gassho-zukuri style structures are not just tourist spots, but still exist in modern life.

If the transportation network develops and people start to gather, it seems natural that the area will become a tourist destination. I think you will enjoy Shirakawa-go even more if you consider the changes in the area over time.

I think Shirakawago is quite unique among world heritage sites. The focus is directly on local life. I wonder what it feels like? What happens when the house you live in becomes a world heritage site? I can’t imagine people coming in and out all the time, and I’m grateful just for protecting my house.

Gassho-zukuri buildings have been demolished and villages have been submerged by dams, and the number of buildings has decreased considerably from its peak of 1,800. The Preservation Society was established in 1971 and strives to preserve it in the spirit of mutual aid known as “Yui.”

This thatched roof is rethatched once every 20 to 30 years, taking one day. If it’s a large gassho-zukuri building, hundreds of people will gather to work on it. Gassho-style houses are also vulnerable to fire and are difficult to extinguish, so fire extinguishing equipment is installed throughout the village.

Even now, they patrol the fire four times a day and train residents to use water cannons. During the annual water discharge inspection, you can see the spectacular sight of columns of water rising from all over the village.

It is said that the spirit of “Yui” to preserve Gassho-zukuri style for future generations was also a factor behind its registration as a World Heritage Site. Of course, there seem to be a lot of issues with maintaining it, but I hope it continues well. Oh, the manhole is also in Shirakawago.

By the way, when there was a fire at Shirakawa-go no Yu here last year, all the residents came out and helped extinguish the fire together with the fire engines. Unfortunately, the founder passed away, but the inn reopened in April of this year.

I actually wanted to go to a hot spring for a day trip, but it was closed today. Afterwards, we recommend staying in a gassho-zukuri building. Inside, there is a fire burning in the hearth. Guests also have the privilege of walking through the quiet village early in the morning or at night.

Well then, let’s go back to the bus terminal. After this, we will head north towards Kanazawa. I bought my bus ticket in Takayama. Goodbye, I’ll be back someday! Arrival at Kanazawa Station is 17:45. Shirakawa Village was also called an isolated land island, but there are quite a lot of bus routes.

Even so, until the Takayama-Shirakawago route opened in 2008, shopping in Takayama used to take half a day or even a full day. Now that there is one line, it has become convenient to travel from Takayama to Kanazawa and Toyama like today.

In addition, some sections of the train were cut off due to heavy rain damage in July 2018. However, Nohi Bus transported us to various places on our behalf. On that bus, we also passed by a sacred place from the anime “Your Name.”

In this way, buses are convenient in this area, so I have been very grateful for your help in the past. This bus is almost full, but 70 to 80% are foreign tourists. Of course, the reason why there are so many foreign tourists is that Shirakawa-go is a World Heritage Site.

However, another big reason is that it is a tourist destination between Tokyo and Osaka. Since many people travel between Tokyo and Osaka, Shirakawa-go, which is located in between, is also attracting more tourists. Shirakawa-go receives 1.8 million tourists annually.

In Shirakawa-go, measures are being taken to balance the lives of local people with the acceptance of tourists. Will it arrive soon? Ah, I found the hotel I stayed at during my previous business trip to Kanazawa. Now, we arrived at Kanazawa Station! I will stay here for one night today.

That’s all for now, please check back next time. Look forward to the next video!

This time, we will be taking you on a trip to Shirakawa-go, a world heritage site in Japan.
Shirakawa-go, located in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture, is lined with gassho-style buildings and offers a landscape that is known as the original landscape of Japan.
Please enjoy your trip to Shirakawa-go.

🎞️ The journey so far
Part 1 (Kamikochi) → https://youtu.be/SwEe8YXsbtk
Part 2 (Okuhida) → https://youtu.be/bK0CRysCsX4
Part 3 (Takayama) → https://youtu.be/pLi5z-PX7II
Part 4 (Shirakawa-go) → This video
Part 5 (Kanazawa) → Coming Soon

🚌 Tourism/traffic information
・Shirakawa-go official website
https://shirakawa-go.gr.jp/en/
・Bus (Takayama – Shirakawago – Kanazawa etc.)
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/route_bus/takayama-shirakawago-line-en/

🔶Timeline
0:00　Digest
0:34　Start of the main story, take a bus from Takayama Station to Shirakawa-go.
3:12　Arrive at Shirakawago Bus Terminal
4:22　Panoramic view of Shirakawa-go from the observation deck
5:54　“Wada House” is a gassho style house built over 300 years ago
6:38　Tour the Nagase family, a gassho-style house
12:00　Stroll around Shirakawa-go
14:05　Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine
15:32　Take a break while eating soft serve ice cream at “Imafuji Shoten”
17:00　Stroll around Shirakawa-go
21:38　Take the bus from Shirakawago Bus Terminal to Kanazawa

🎞️ Recommended videos
・Hokkaido Trip → https://youtu.be/II-Vfva3OgQ
・Hokkaido / Sapporo Food Tour → https://youtu.be/QgHBk7s0Oow
・Aomori Food Tour → https://youtu.be/iw-TQD3vFJM
・Kanazawa Food Tour → https://youtu.be/Pr2x2o_pi_A
・Tokyo / Asakusa Food Tour（vol.2）→ https://youtu.be/OEDnH_yrhXE
・Nagano / Kamikochi Tour → https://youtu.be/SwEe8YXsbtk
・Nagoya Food Tour（vol.2）→ https://youtu.be/4gyLKC3rWIg
・Kyoto Food Tour（vol.3）→ https://youtu.be/uIwv7daNbuo
・Osaka Food Tour（vol.2）→ https://youtu.be/y-Jm7ZxAcOU
・Okayama Food Tour → https://youtu.be/2mAw-5yPb6Q
・Hiroshima Food Tour → https://youtu.be/d-TtW-pZuPo
・Fukuoka Food Tour → https://youtu.be/42I9Jdyg3iU

#worldheritage #sirakawa-go #japantravel #japanvlog #japanesefood #gifuvlog #gifutrip #gifutravel #sightseeing

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