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In 1995,ShirakawagoRecognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Land of the Rising Sun. Located at the foot of Mount Hakusan, the entire village is divided into two areas: Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture, and Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture. It comprises a total of 114 ancient houses built in the Gassho-zukuri style – a traditional architectural style dating back to the late 17th century in Japan, well-suited to the region's harsh climate.
Besides the Ogimachi area with its distinctive Gassho-zukuri architecture, other popular attractions include the Wada House, built during the Edo period (1603-1868), Shirakawa Kaido main street, the observation deck of Ogimachi-jo Castle, and the Tenshukaku Observatory. (Photo: Takahiro Taguchi)
According to excavation documents, traces of gunpowder manufacturing and silk production flourished in this village from the 1700s, 322 years ago. To this day, the oldest house in Shirakawago village is over 400 years old and remains almost completely intact. Except for the renovation of some houses into restaurants, museums, souvenir shops, or guesthouses for visitors, the customs and traditions of the villagers have not changed much from hundreds of years ago. Therefore, Shirakawago village is also known as "The place where time cannot touch."
One of the reasons why Shirakawago village attracts a large and enthusiastic number of tourists despite the cold weather is the "Shirakawa-go Winter Light-up" festival. This tradition takes place only on six weekends during the first two months of the year. (Photo: Debbzie Leksono)
Many consider Shirakawago the birthplace of Doraemon, as artist Fujiko Fujio drew the first sketches of the manga series in this ancient village. Besides its centuries-old cultural and historical heritage, the village attracts visitors with its diverse natural beauty. In spring, Shirakawago is covered in cherry blossoms. In summer, the village is painted in lush green by the surrounding rice paddies. In autumn, clusters of cosmos flowers flutter, covering the rooftops with romantic shades of yellow and red. And in winter, everything is blanketed in white, the steps covered in snow, making Shirakawago village look like a fairytale land.
Let's admire the snow in Shirakawago village during the winter of early 2022:
