Japan - Destination - Shirakawa-go

We returned to Kanazawa early enough to finish our itinerary by starting out to visit, Nagamachi, the Samurai district. On the way we stopped by a Temple imbedded in the city where there appeared to be a wedding taking placed. Parents were taking pictures of their traditionally dressed children so I took advantage of the posing with my Panasonic 10x zoom.

Upon entering the district from one approach we recognized a familiar but misfitted icon.

That's more like it!

The walled street occasionally offered portal for entrance.

We had an early bus the next morning so we planned an early dinner, looking for a particular duck dish that Serena wanted to try. We found it at a nearby sushi bar where the "cook", upon hearing we were from San Francisco, entertained us with his English catch phrases of "I left my heart in San Francisco" and "sitting on the dock of the Bay". The fish and it's presentation was tempting but we had had what we thought should be the limit on seafood for a while.

Meanwhile we were headed for Hida beef country. We were looking forward to a scenic bus ride toward the Japanese Alps but before too long it became apparent that we were only to catch glimpses of the mountains as we passed ever so briefly from inside of one to the entrance of the next tunnel. It didn't take long to traverse the distance in practically a straight line instead of switch backing.


We made our way over a lengthy suspension bridge to the old village of Ogimachi, the in the slush and snow, checked into our Gassho-zukuri minshuku ("constructed like hands in prayer" family run bed and breakfast)



The reason Serena picked this village was because there are hot baths which had become the definative motivation especially in this cold and damp environment.

As is required with all onsens, one must shower on a small stool before entering the pools.

Dinner and breakfast were eaten around an irori, the social gathering place. There is a wood fire in the center with a heavy cast iron pot hanging over it to radiate some heat.
A regional dish is red miso topped with vegetables and meat, grilled on a magnolia leaf

We spent the evening visiting with a fellow from Australia, the first real contact with an Anglo on the trip. Was nice just to blab for a while without struggling to be understood.

Roomies. The couple was from Hong Kong

I just have to add that since Kanazawa we had entered the land of heated toilets .


Thank God!
Text and pictures © 2008 Mona E. Dunn