Sunday: Shirakawa-go (to the mountains)

April 14 - Road to Shirakawa-go and the Takayama Spring Festival

After our very satisfying walk in the Kenroku-en Garden, we set off for the three hour trip to our next delight.  This time Mirei plays a movie to entertain and educate us. She translates over the Japanese dialogue of "Departures" as it plays on our luxury coach's screen. :-  Departures (おくりびと Okuribito?) is a 2008 Japanese drama film by Yōjirō Takita. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 81st Oscars in 2009 and the Japan Academy Prize for Picture of the Year at the 32nd Japan Academy Prize. 

I worked on my notes but followed enough to learn about the ceremony for preparing the deceased for cremation while the survivors watch, and the movie made the three hour trip pass quickly as we rode through the dramatic snow capped mountains toward Shirakawa-go.  

This village presents rural life which is fairly rare now in Japan. It was closed to outsiders until 1990 when a French geologist visited, took photos and published glowing reports of the place. Then more westerners began to visit.  The harsh winter snows here close the roads from December until about now.  In fact it snowed the day before our arrival and we still see piles of snow from the drifts.

Shirakawa-go is known for its A-Frame Thatched Roof style called gassho-zukuri.  The high pitched roof lets the abundant snow slide down.  All houses have a south entrance.  The thatch is expected to last100 year.  Good thing too, because we were told it costs millions of yen to replace the roof each century. We see some work being done on a roof by a fellow up to his waist in thatch. A fellow traveler bought a book with photos of their 'barn raising' event to make a new roof, and of their watering system for fire control. Who knew?! 

We walk across the river on the swinging bridge, take lots of photos, cross back and head out for Takayama and the night festival.  We question our ability to stay up after dark but we're in for it. We eat dinner at 5:00 so we can get a good 'stand' on main street. Spring and Fall - Always on April 14th night and 15th during the day, whatever day of the week that falls on.  Next blog for all those pictures.