For the foreign travelers who are not satisfied with the bus tour in Tokyo.

Shirakawago / Hida Takayama area

Shirakawago/Hida Takayama area (May 2010)

Hida-Takayama area is situated in Gifu Prefecture, in the very middle of Japan.
There remains the old atmosphere of Japan.
Even Japanese people feel nostalgia when we go to this area.





Takayama is the center of this area.
It was developed as one of the areas where were governed directly by the Tokugawa Shogunate,
because this area has been abundant in timber resources.

You can see the old administrative headquaters, Jinya, in the City.





Morning market is held in front of Jinya every morning.
And old streets have been conserved around it.
It is very fun to walk on these streets. You also can take rickshaw (man power taxi).





May is the season when you can appreciate the beauty of whisteria.





Hida-Kokubunji Temple is one of the oldest temples in Japan that dates back to 8th century.
Bell tower gate is unique and behind the gate,
there is a enormous ginko tree which is estimated 1250 years old.




Now, Shirakawago is one hour distance by bus from Takayama Station.
You can walk in the village, but looking down from the hill is also breathtaking.





The characteristics of Shirakawago is Gassho-zukuri, A-frame structure and thached roof.
More than 100 A-frame houses are still conserved and 600 people live in this village.




You can visit some of the houses, which are opened for public like museum,
but part of the house is private residence.





They explain how they have lived in this house.
Most of them used to be used for silkworm cultivation on the second floor.





For more information about Shirakawago, please see the explanation in my other site.
Shirakawago and Gokayama