Shirakawa-go (Historic Village)
Shirakawa-go, a beautiful area where traditional Japanese scenery still exists, is home to the largest number of still-standing traditional “gassho-zukuri” Japanese homes. As of 2016, there are around 100 buildings still standing, both large and small. It is the largest remaining historic settlement in Japan, and it is preserved as a Group of Traditional Buildings in the register of Cultural Properties of Japan.
I visited during the May holidays. Walking among the gassho-zukuri houses felt like stepping back in time. There are guesthouses in the village, so staying overnight would be a unique experience.
This time, I just took a stroll, bought some souvenirs, and tried the local gohei-mochi. The sweet and savory miso with a hint of sansho was a perfect match—highly recommended for a quick snack!
During holidays, the area gets really crowded and it takes a long time to get into the parking lot, so next time I'll visit on a weekday.
