Shirakawa went into a historic village in Japan. Because historic then this village serve as a world site in Japan. Its location is right in the Shirakawa river valley and is in the Gifu Prefecture line with Toyama. UNESCO has established this village as a world heritage in 1995. Not only high historical but also high social value. Not only in Japan, this village is famous, but to the other side of the world because of its beautiful natural beauty. In addition it makes the village is famous for there building and store a high history named gassho-zukuri.
Shirakawa go is different from Gokayama. Although both places are equally used as world heritage sites but these two places are different. Many visitors consider these two places the same. Indeed, the location of the two villages is close together, and to reach this place can use bus lines from Kanazawa and from Takayama. The village is inhabited by 1900 inhabitants and they live in a unique building called Gassho-zukuri. The landscape is very beautiful here because it is dominated by mountains and also hills with 96% percentage, while the rest is used as rice fields and farming. During winter, the village turns into the world's largest and largest snowfall in Japan. Therefore the temperature can be very cold when the winter comes.
Gassho-zukuri for this building is very similar to the hands that are praying. The roof is high and also tapered similar to Buddhist leaders during prayer. This roof shape has an important function and purpose where when the cold when the snow arrives. The snow can go straight down because of the high slope angle, so that the roof of the house becomes unencumbered with too much piling snow. Another uniqueness is built without using nails. The architectural design of Gassho-zukuri itself was praised by the famous German architect Bruno Taut. Bruno says if this area is unlike any other in Japan, for beautiful architecture like in Shirakawa go is never seen before.
When deciding to visit this village, the first thing to know is the route to get there. It would be very difficult if the route taken wrong and become strayed. This will make the energy, time and budget released to be inefficient. To get to this village can by bus but must make reservations or reservations in advance. This is because the bus that goes to this village is not always empty. The bus that can be used is Nohi bus which can be accessed from Kanazawa. From Kanazawa the journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes, then the bus will stop at the stop in the village of Shirakawa.
In addition to this village, visitors can continue the journey to Gokayama Which must be considered is the departure hours so as not to miss the bus. To get to this village can walk to the exit east of Kanazawa station. So do not get out of the door other than the east side of the station. In order to get a sloping price it is advisable to buy a round-trip ticket compared to a one-way ticket. Tickets for return trips valid for up to 10 days are calculated from since the first trip. This will be beneficial because it saves time, and budget. For a one-way ticket to Shirakawa village go price starts from 1,850 yen, while round-trip ticket starts from 3,290 yen.
There are several attractions that can be obtained by visiting this village. This charm or attraction will not be found in other areas of Japan. That's why many tourists who want to visit this tourist spot with family or with friends. Here is a tourist spot in Shirakawa go that is interesting and unfortunately not to be missed:
The first interesting tourist spot of course is visiting the gassho-zukuri house. This house is the main attraction in this village. Previously estimated there are 300 houses gassho-zukuri in this village, unfortunately at this time only remaining 114 only. Because it is included in a historic village, it is not surprising if gassho-zukuri there are old age. The oldest is 300 years old and until now still inhabited by its citizens.
The next interesting tourist spot in the village is the Gassho-zukuri Minkaen museum. The museum is open because it is reconstructed in an open environment. In this museum visitors not only see a unique house, but also can see firsthand the grain storage area. There is also a temple used as a place for worship. Interestingly, there are 9 buildings that become the most important cultural property of Gifu. To be able to visit the museum must be tailored to the month of the visit. For example, visiting the period of December to March, visit every 9 am to 4 pm local time. The museum also should not be visited on Thursdays in the period of the month.
Traveling to Shirakawa village will be a pity if you do not visit this place. Kanda house and also Wada house into two interesting historical sites visited. At Kanda House visitors who come must remove the footwear and still be able to use footwear. Since the weather in Shirakawa tends to be cool it is advisable to use thick clothes and thick socks. In addition, the building of Kanda house is made of wood so that the cold will be felt once. Inside the building is a traditional fireplace and there are historical artifacts associated with Gifu society in the past.
The Wada House is a historic building built in the mid-year between 1603 and 1868. Currently Wada house is used as a residence. In addition visitors can see lacquer tools, silk production tools, manuscripts are exhibited in the Wada house. Inside this house there is also a fireplace that will light up throughout the year which can be used as a photo spot, or relax with family.
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