Honoring Tradition in Shirakawa-go

While I consider myself a “city person”, since coming to Japan, I’ve taken the time to appreciate nature more fully.

This weekend I took an overnight trip to Ogimachi in Shirakawa-go, Gifu, so I could enjoy the shifting colors of the autumn leaves and see the gassho-style houses. While there were many tourists visiting the area, it was very easy to slip away from the bustle of the main street and enjoy the mountains, river, and houses around the village.

Some of the highlights to my trip were having a snack around the irori, unwinding in the onsen, and hiking around the area. I tried many regional specialties including: Hida beef and milk, Gohei mochi, doburoku sake, hobamiso with local vegetables and tofu, and local soba. Everything was delicious and I was sure to bring some miso, pickles, soba, and sake home with me.   

When it was time to head home, I wasn’t quite ready to leave the beauty behind.

Have you been to Shirakawa-Go?
-Tiffany