Shirakawa -Gou, Japan

I was watching this TV programme one day when they showed this cluster of thatched roof houses..,and I thought they looked very pretty and unique. By chance a couple of weeks later, Nizam was scrolling down the internet on interesting places to visit in Japan and came across the site about these thatched roof village. Apparently, there are quite a few of this kind of village in Japan but we chose Shirakawa-Gou as it is the biggest in Japan.
It is situated in a remote mountain region, and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. It is famous for its gassho-zukuri thatched roof houses characterized by their almost 60 -degree steep roofs. This is to keep snow from accumulating heavily on the roof tops in winter. Shirakawa-Gou is one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan. So, on the 25th of October, we had a chance to make a day trip with Kak Mimi and family to the famous thatched roof village. Initially we planned to sleep over, but there was no vacancy at the local inn at all.
We had a nice stroll in the area, trying to feel how it was like living there back then some 300-400 years ago... In some houses, there are some descendants living there..,now making money from us visitors..,collecting fees to view the interior of their houses..!The view was breathtaking..,though my legs were screaming in pain covering the whole village on foot, it was all worth it! We had some beautiful pictures taken, and thanks to Kak Mimi who has a knack with the camera, we would forever engrave that lovely moment in our memory!Quote:-
From Toyota-Shi, train rides to Shirakawa-Gou is both expensive and difficult. If you were to take a train there, you have to get down at Takayama Station, and take a bus and make a U-turn to Shirakawa Gou. Train fare is 5000yen one way.
If you take a bus there..,you have to go to Nagoya first.Between Nagoya (Meitetsu Bus Center near Nagoya Station) and Shirakawa-go there is one bus per day. The bus is operated by Gifu Bus and runs only from April through November. The travel time is roughly three hours,
and the fare is 3500 Yen one way. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on this bus.
The other option is you could also sign up for a package bus tour (with meal i think!)at the travel agency.