20251217 Shirakawa-go's, Japan
17-12-25 We all piled into the car for a 45-minute drive to visit the historic town of Shirakawa-go. Its history centres on a unique, isolated mountain way of life that led to the development of the distinctive gasshō-zukuri style of architecture—meaning “constructed like praying hands.” This building style first appeared in historical records around 1176, with evidence of human life in the region dating back between 7000 BC and 2300 BC. What an incredible village, one that has held onto its traditions along with its communal living and farming practices, which led to its World Heritage status in 1995. Since then, the village has been protected under a strict “no sell, no rent, no destroy” policy to preserve its centuries-old character and communal spirit. Shirakawa-go is surrounded by the Hida Mountains to the east and southeast, and the Ryōhaku Mountains to the west and southwest—a volcanic mountain range that includes Mount Hakusan, one of Japan’s Three Sacred Mountains. Mount Hakusan, in particular, has a strong influence on the climate and culture of Shirakawa-go. It blows my mind to think about the craftsmanship that went into these homes over 850 years ago.
After a lot of nagging we managed to get the eldest son Ash, to have a family photo, miracles do happen, but don’t push it with a smile.
These constructions are so unique it really give you a true image of how the Japanese lived around 1176 and still are.
We walk around the village taking in the extraordinary constructions, these, A-frame structures are built without nails and feature large attic spaces used for silkworm cultivation, carpentry, and family living. It still blows my mind that not one nail was used in their construction.
Sharyn standing under one of the very thick roofs made of thick, steeply pitched thatch (grass), specifically a type of miscanthus (genus of tall, perennial grasses) called kariyasu, that roof would definitely keep the snow out.
One of the many stone-lined canals that were built using traditional methods of hand-laid stones, often rounded riverbed stones, sometimes with mud/gravel bases for stability.
The Deai Bridge (Meeting Bridge), the main pedestrian suspension bridge leading into the village of Shirakawa-go.
A traditional Japanese wooden water channel that’s part of a historic water system.
Known as "power stones" or banmochiishi were historically used for strength competitions within the village, the goal was to see who was the strongest person in the community by lifting them.
I was thirsty,ok.
Owen showing off his new toy samurai sword, not that you can see it very well.
Grandma and her two ratbag grandsons, Hamish and Owen.
Hamish checks out the Shinto shrines (jinja) a structures built to house (enshrine) one or more kami, which are the Shinto, a god or goddess or spirits and that’s Ash lurking in the background.
The sign display's a lodging establishment named Kanjiya.
This traditional method lets the rice dry naturally in the sun and air, a practice that’s becoming rare in modern, mechanised Japan.
A homemade wooden scarecrow-like sculpture made from aged, weathered wood. It has a round wooden face painted with a simple, slightly sad expression, and a flat
T-shaped body marked with small holes, possibly from use as a target and much different than ours in Australia.
Our adventure continues as we climb deeper into the forest to check out the tiny homes while stepping over the mounds of snow that’s slowly melting around us.
Sharyn and I sneak in one of the local Ice Cream, while the boys are off with their Dad. Yummy 😋
Hamish checking out a waterway with lots of rainbow trout, all we need is a fishing line.
A street view inside the village reveals just how carefully it’s looked after—every surface spotless, with not a single piece of rubbish to be seen.
Be ware of the bears 🐻, these signs are scattered around the village and apparently there have been quite a lot of attacks.
These channels slip quietly past the village homes, carrying water so pure and glass-clear it seems made for drinking.
I found this photo of Shirakawa-go village during its magical winter light-up which looks like something straight out of a fairy tale… or possibly a very well-organised Smurf village.
I could have spent hours exploring but we have three impatient children who just aren’t into the history of this amazing village like their Mum and I so, home it is.
Phil takes the rains driving following the Tokai Hokurfku Expy (Toll road) and this is just one of many we passed through.
Out of the Hida-Kauai tunnel and into another and another, they just go on and on.
Back Home To Takayama
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