The last stop on our road trip through Japan was to Shirakawago. This was another place on my pinterest page that I couldn’t wait to visit! It is absolutely beautiful during the winter and during the spring. The snow began to fall heavily as we drove up to the village. After stepping out of the car, it was like taking a step back in time. A time of geishas and samurais and a time of Japanese culture that has inspired books and movies. We crossed the bridge over the Shokawa River that lead to the Ogimachi village that is famous for its unique gassho houses.
The Gassho houses have a unique architectural style with steep straw-roofed homes made of wood. This area of Japan receives a huge amount of snow each year so the roofs are angled to prevent snow from piling up on them. “Gassho” comes from the Japanese word for prayer, and the steep shape of the roofs resemble praying hands.
It was an amazing experience to walk along the narrow roads through the village with the snow falling all around us. Ogimachi Village was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995. Some of the houses in the village are over 250 years old. Many of the old farmhouses have been turned into restaurants, shops, and even places you can stay the night. We considered staying the night, but I was afraid it might be a little much with all the boys!
We decided to try some of the traditional Japanese food while we were there. We ended up at a little vendor that sold homemade meat pies and warm drinks. The meat pies were so good! It was perfect on a cold day walking around the village!
As we were leaving the village, the snow stopped and the sun began to shine through the clouds. It made for a very beautiful sight. I can only imagine what it must have been like to live here hundreds of years ago.
We had the most amazing time on our road trip through Japan. It is a trip I will never forget and a time with all my boys that I will forever treasure.
