As you cross the Deai Bridge to enter Shirakawa-go, you get a feeling that you are walking back in time. Once you reach the other side, you immediately forget about the outside world as you immerse yourself into the tranquility of old village life.
As you cross the Deai Bridge to enter Shirakawa-go, you get a feeling that you are walking back in time. Once you reach the other side, you immediately forget about the outside world as you immerse yourself into the tranquility of old village life.
It is hard to believe that Shirakawa-go is still a functioning residential area with about 1,600 residents calling it home. Due to its isolation, the residents of the village are by nature resourceful and active community members. They live by an ideology known as yui, which emphasizes teamwork and the importance of community. While at first glance Shirakawa-go may seem like a theme park of traditional Japanese buildings, when one takes the time to look more closely, you can appreciate it as a place where locals continue to live with the same community spirit as previous generations.
The unique architecture of the gassho-style houses
The gassho-style houses are emblematic of Shirakawa- go and are the main attraction for most people who visit. Several of the gassho-style houses have been transformed into museums, which you can explore for a small fee. Besides the impressive thatched roofs, another interesting feature of these buildings is that no nails are used in their construction. Instead, strong rope is tied around the beams of the house to hold everything in place. For those interested in learning more about these historical buildings, a nearby open-air museum features 25 gassho-style houses, which were relocated from surrounding villages. By exploring these beautifully preserved farmhouses, shrines, and storage buildings, it is easy to imagine how life would have been like for this rural community over a hundred years ago.
Local delicacies that make your mouth water
When visiting Shirakawa- go, make sure to take some time to taste the local delicacies at one of the many small restaurants and sweet shops dotted around the village. Keyaki offers a variety of different food such as Hida beef, yuiuma pork, and Japanese curry and rice. Popular snacks include mitarashi dango (rice dumplings), goheimochi (grilled rice coated in sweet miso), and puddings with a variety of different flavors. As well as exploring the gassho-style houses, trying these local delicacies is a must for anyone visiting the town.
Besides the iconic houses and the delicious food, what sets Shirakawa-go apart from other tourist attractions is its vibrant community where the ideology of yui lives on. Whether you stay for a few days or just a few hours, the local residents hope that you can enjoy the community spirit of the village while you are there.
SHIRAKAWA-GO TOURIST ASSOCIATION
https://shirakawa-go.gr.jp/en/
Justin Llaneza Bailey is from the U.K. and has lived in Japan for about 15 years. He currently teaches English at a private university in Ishikawa and likes reading books and travelling.
