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白川郷の湯
For a different view of the natural wonders of Shirakawago, you can always explore the natural hot springs. With a nice view over the river (lower right portion of this photo), we were the only ones enjoying this spacious onsen.
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.
Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture
The only thing better than having gasshozukuri (合掌造り) in front of you is having them behind you too.
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.
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.
Hisamatsu Minshuku (2010)
We stayed in a minshuku called Hisamatsu (久松) while in Ogimachi (荻町) in Shirakawago (白川郷). This was an authentic minka or gassho zukuri. I don’t think you can fully experience Japan without staying in a place like this. The owners are an extremely old couple, but their daughter pretty much runs the show at this point. She can speak a bit of English I think, but I made our reservation (by calling through the above link) and did all the communication in Japanese. If you aren’t in Japan and want to book a night or two, you can try these email addresses: hidatio@hidanet.ne.jp or info@shirakawa-go.gr.jp
The daughter has kids too, but we never saw them. The food was excellent, the building amazing, but to be perfectly honest I didn’t sleep well. Grandpa headed to the bathroom every few minutes it seemed and I woke up each time. If you want a good night sleep I recommend bringing some earplugs. Do wake up before dawn and go for a walk though!