Gifu Prefecture is located in the center of Japan in Honshu Island or the main island in Japan. Gifu is known for traditional mountain villages like Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Gifu is considered less touristy than in Kyoto. Due to its geographical situation, Gifu is literally known as the heart of Japan.

For this day, I planned to travel to Takayama City and Shirakawa-go. My travel time in these places was perfect as it was just last March. Snow-capped mountains and melting snow in streets are everywhere. Though it is a bit cold, the sun was up and ready for spring. 🌸🌸🌸

How did I get there?

For my tour in Takayama City and Shirakawa-go, I purchased a package in Klook. The package includes transfer from and to Nagoya. I also added a lunch for this tour. The tour also included an English and Chinese guide. Our English-speaking guide, Bara-san, was really informative and approachable.

Luckily, the meeting area for the tour is nearby my hotel. It took me 5 minutes to reach the meeting area. Before 8AM, our guides instructed us on where to seat and how the entire tour will run. From there, we rode a bus to Takayama City. From Nagoya, we travel to Takayama City for the next 2 hours.

Takayama City

Takayama City is a city in the mountainous terrain of Hida Region in Gifu Prefecture. It was established in 1875. However, this city was widely well-known to locals since Jomon and Edo periods in Japan. Takayama City has a rich history that was started as an important hub for the lumber industry that contributed to the wealth and architecture of this region.

After travelling 2 hours from Nagoya and with an amazing view of all the mountains with snow, we reached the Takayama City. Bara-san, our guide, gave us 90 minutes to stroll in the city center. Our bus parked beside the Betsuin Temple Treasure House and we were instructed to return on the given time. This is what I love in booking in Klook. They will assist in all the transfers yet you can have your own phase to see a place. Though you have a time limit, for me, its ok, at least no one is around you to nag you about walking fast or slow. 😂😅

Our guide, Bara-san showed us the way to go to the Miyagawa morning market. There are different shops from food to souvenirs. Takayama City really felt old but homey for me. I like the old vibe it given me. While walking to the morning market, the Kaji-bashi bridge welcomed me.

The Miyagawa River runs through and the current was strong. There were two distinguished bronze statues in the Kaji-bashi bridge called Tenagazo (long arms) and Ashinagazo (long legs). The statues were a bit odd-looking for me but it was interpreted from an old folklore. The folklore tells the story of the long legs carrying the long arms into the river so long arms can catch fishes. It is a metaphor of working together that combines the strength of arms and legs to achieve something good.

Beside the Kaji-bashi bridge was the morning market. There were some shops and stalls where you can buy local food and souvenirs. Aside from the market, I was amazed by the current of water that flows in Miyagawa River. I tried to take photos but my tripod was not cooperative that time. 😟 So, I just enjoyed the morning market. ☺️☺️☺️

Before going to the old street, I tried a fresh local milk. It was indeed delicious and refreshing. I like that after drinking the milk, you must return the bottle. It’s like the old-style of drinking milk that I watched in cartoons before.

After the morning market, I walked to the Sanmachi Suji Old Town. It is a street with old houses of traditional merchants, restaurants, shops and breweries. This town was founded during the Edo Period.

As I walked along this street, I really felt like I was taken back in time. Aside from the crowd that make it a bit modern, every corner felt like it was the old Japanese city centuries ago. There are postboxes, water pumps, clock and other antiques outside the restaurants and shops that make you feel like an old Japanese walking along the streets of Takayama.

After visiting the Sanmachi Suji Old Town, I walked down the path to return to our bus. However, I think I enjoyed the old shops while walking thus I took the wrong turn.

Apparently, I was taken to a different street. I was lost! I was a bit panicking that time because we need to return to the bus on the given time and I just have at least 10 minutes to figure out how to return to the bus. I knew I was on the same street but I cannot find the temple beside the parking lot. I tried Google Maps and luckily, I was routed on time to see my bus. I took the back entrance and I was holding my breath until I sat on my seat. What a thrill!

In few minutes, we travelled to a local restaurant where we will have our lunch. In the tour package I purchased, I added a lunch with Hida Beef. Hida beef is one of the famous steak meal in Aichi Prefecture. It is way cheaper that Wagyu yet very tasty. In that local restaurant, our tables were prepared. Food was served hot. Hida Beef was indeed delicious! Plus there are other dishes like rice, miso soup, tofu and some veggies. I enjoyed the meal so much! If you will avail this tour package in Klook and opt not to add the Hida Beef lunch, you may eat in Takayama or bring food in the bus.

Takayama City was a good starter to see the old version of Japan and how they lived. It was indeed a city that will open your new perspective about Japan aside from the busy streets in the big cities.

Shirakawa-go Village

After 45 minutes from Takayama City, we reached the village of Shirakawa-go. Shirakawa-go is located in Ono District in Gifu Prefecture. This village was declared by UNESCO as world heritage site in 1995. Shirakawa-go is a small traditional village with building styles known as gassho-zukuri. Some of these houses were built for more than 250 years ago.

As our bus comes nearer in the village, I was really amazed on how it looks like with as village was covered mostly by snow. As a Filipino living in a tropical country, snow amazes me! It feels like you are in different part place entirely. 🥰🥰🥰

Before we reached the village, we crossed 107-meter-long suspension bridge called Deai Bridge. Under the bridge was a river covered mostly by snow too. As I crossed the bridge, thick pile of snow was around me and as I get nearer to the other end, the entire village of Shirakawa-go was mostly covered by snow too. It was indeed, a winter wonderland! ❄️

Though some parts of the village has melting snow, I felt that my timing to visit Shirakawa-go was perfect. It was cold yet sunny as spring also welcomed me. I was very grateful of the perfect weather. 😇🙏😇

While inside the village, I met Noga, she is a Jew travelling to different places in Asia after her military service. She was part of the tour I availed. We walked together the village and shared some stories and took some photos. Just like Noga, we both didn’t experienced snow when growing up. So seeing snow everywhere was a delight for both of us!

Inside the Shirakawa-go Village, there are shops for souvenirs that you can select. Take note that there were limited restaurants inside the village so it will be better to eat before you get to the village. The only thing we tried inside the village was the matcha ice cream in the entrance of the village.

As we walked around the village, the gassho style houses were everywhere. I can compare it the Filipino’s “bahay kubo”. Though the roofs were thicker, maybe to protect from heavy snow. The entire Shirakawa-go village can be explored via foot within 2 to 3 hours. If you want to go up to the observatory deck, there is a shuttle service that you can take. As for us, since we have limited time in the village and queue for the shuttle service was long, we did not tried to visit the observatory. For me, just walking inside the village was already a privilege.

By 5PM, we returned to our bus to take the journey back to Nagoya. It was indeed a wonderful experience to visit a Unesco World Heritage site. It’s like going back to time and became more interesting because of the snow. I really enjoyed the Shirakawa-go and Takayama! Old cities really captured my heart. 💜💜💜

Hope you enjoy this blog and encourage you to visit the cities in Gifu prefectures. There are more places you can visit in this prefecture. Right next after, will be my blog in my travel to Magome and Tsumago! Safe travels! 💜