Gifu, Shirakawa Village
Shirakawa-go Snow in my palm, under the gassho-style roofs
A day spent slowly wandering around Ogimachi, taking in the snow-covered gassho-style houses. Come along as I catch snow in my palm on this winter walk.
A winter walk through a village of gassho-style houses wrapped in snow. I looked up at the roofs, watched flakes land on my gloves, then found myself wanting to look at the houses again.
WinterA winter walk through a snow-covered village
Catching falling snow made me smile
I walked through the village and looked up at the snow-covered gassho-style roofs. I can't believe I'm really here, in the place I'd only seen in photos. I stopped by the road to look at the houses, and a gentle warmth spread through me.
I was curious about how steep the roofs were, so I stopped and studied one from below. They're so steep. I traced the line of snow along it with my eyes, then looked toward the next house. Even though they were all built in the same gassho style, each one looked a little different, and I wanted to stop and look again.
When snow started falling, I gently opened my gloved hand. Tiny flakes landed in my palm. It struck me that the same snow was falling on the roofs and on my hand. The thought made me so happy I laughed.
I took photos of the snowy houses to show my friend. I wanted to catch the flakes I'd just held in my hand, too, but they looked so small on the screen that I could hardly make them out. I'll have to tell her about that part properly, not just show her the photos.
I put my phone away and walked a little farther. The view changed depending on whether I was looking up at the roofs or out across the rows of houses. I didn't feel like rushing off to the next place; I wanted to take my time right here.
Before leaving, I held out my hand once more to catch the snow. If I told my friend about this place, I'd tell her how huge the roofs were and about the tiny flakes landing on my glove. I want to remember both. I think both of those things were what made me smile in winter Shirakawa-go.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialty
Hida beef and magnolia-leaf miso
Kita no Shō in Ogimachi lists a miso steak set meal with Hida beef and magnolia-leaf miso. I'm glad to find something to eat after admiring the snowy roofs. Next time, I'd like to make time for a meal there too.
Highlights
Snow on the steep thatched roofs
The gassho-style roofs slope at nearly 60 degrees. I hear that steep angle suits life in places with heavy snowfall. I looked up at a snow-covered roof from below and even found myself wondering about its angle.
The village houses and surrounding landscape
In Ogimachi, the gassho-style houses are preserved along with the fields, forests, roads, and waterways around them. After taking in the roofs, I looked around and felt even more immersed in the village.
Silkworms raised in the lofts
The lofts beneath the gassho-style roofs were once used to raise silkworms, I hear. The shape also created a spacious loft that let air and light pass through. I'd been admiring the roofs from outside, and now I was curious to picture the work that once went on beneath them.
Route details
From the village-run Seseragi Park car park to Ogimachi
- Where to park
- Village-run Seseragi Park car park
- Walk to the village
- Cross Deai Bridge to reach the village
From the village-run Seseragi Park car park, cross Deai Bridge to reach the World Heritage village. Once I started walking through the village, I found myself stopping again and again to look up at the gassho-style roofs.
If you're driving to Shirakawa-go, leave your car at the village-run Seseragi Park car park and explore the village on foot. Check the map and the tourism association's directions below, then start picturing your time in Ogimachi.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
