Ogimachi from the Shiroyama Viewpoint (城山展望台から荻町集落)

Ogimachi in Shirakawago is most famous for its look in winter. But in just one month the rice paddies will be long, green, and beautiful. Another good thing about visiting in July is, due to the high altitude, Shirakawago can be cooler than the rest of a hot and humid summer in Japan. For best results, make a reservation to stay at a gasshozukuri weeks in advance and plan your stay for a weeknight as it can get crowded on the weekends.

Posted on June 2nd, 2012 under Japan. Tags: rice paddy, shirakawago, thatch roof. Comments: 1

Shirakawago Mura is probably covered in deep snow at this time of year. Someday I will visit during the winter. Summer is beautiful, too, with the rice paddies making the ground a lush green.

Posted on February 9th, 2012 under Japan. Tags: rice paddy, shirakawago, thatch roof. Comments Off on Thatched-roof (kayabukiyane or 茅葺屋根)

The Village of Shirakawa (白川村)

One of my favorite places on the planet, when a photo of Shirakawa shows up as my random desktop image of the day, you can count on me to share it with you.

Posted on September 13th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: rice paddy, shirakawago, thatch roof. Comments: 1

As the sun began to set we rode the train back to Tokyo from Nikko in February. The scenery of snow-covered rice paddies was beautiful. I would have loved to have jumped out of the train for a minute to take proper photos at several places. Instead, I can only offer this small taste of the actual scene from inside a rapidly moving train, complete with reflection off the glass on the left which messes things up a bit.

Posted on June 9th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: nikko, rice paddy, snow, sunset. Comments Off on Train from Nikko to Tokyo in winter

The worst rice in Japan is better than the best rice I’ve ever eaten in the USA (or anywhere else). But nowhere have I enjoyed rice so much as the rice we were served in Shirakawago. That rice was grown in this field or one very nearby according to our host. It was like melt-in-your-mouth candy. I asked them why their rice was superior and she indicated that the elevation and heavy snows were likely causes. I hope to taste that rice again.

Posted on April 11th, 2011 under Japan. Tags: rice paddy, shirakawago, thatch roof. Comments: 1