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Shirakawago and Gokayama Japan Old Village

Shirakawa-go (???, “White River Old-District”) is the name of village in the Shogawa river valley stretching across the border of Gifu and Toyama Prefectures in northern Japan. Shirakawa-go cannot be seperated with the other historic villages Gokayama (???, “Five Mountains”).

Both Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are under UNESCO world heritage site since 1995, and the places are very popular nowadays as a traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old.

Shirakawa-go’s largest village and main attraction may be is Ogimachi.

Shirakawa-go has many events every day, here is the list of events including the event schedule

Events The time of the year
1. Harukoma – New Year
2. Syougo – End of February
3. Kumagari – Middle of March ? Middle of April
4. Gassho roof’s rethatch – Beginning of April
5. Cherry tree flowering season – End of April ??Beginning of May
6. Skunk cabbage flowering season- End of April ??End of May
7. The season of fresh green – Middle of May ??End of June
8. Hakusan Super woodland path’ access starts – Beginning of June ??Middle of June
9. Hakusan’s the opening of a mountain – 20th of July ??31st of August
10. Oosirakawa Camping place – 14th of August ??17th of August
11. Bon Festival dance – 25th 26th of September, 10th of October
12. Doburoku Festival – 14th of October ??19th of October
13. Autumnal leaves – Middle of October ??Beginning of November
14. Mekaki – End of October ??Middle of November
15. Houonkou – December ??End of March
16. Snowfall – End of December ??End of March
17. Skiing – End of December ??End of March

Hotels, Guesthouse, and nightstay in Shirakawa-go. Here is some of the best hotel in Shirakawa-go :

1. Mihoro Ryokan
Situated in high level of Syou River, and it is Shirakawa-go�s South entryway. The hotel is old and good appearance relaxing mode tourist home and it has used dismantle Colony sank under the Mihoro lake and reconstruct it.
Address? 126 – 3 Maki Shirakawa village Oono-Gun

2. Hatago Shirayama Hotel
At this hotel, good quality hot spring, and eaten Hida Beef or river fishes with hearth�s charcoal fire is the main things of the hotel. The dishes are used particular food and seasonable, and also Jizake (local sake) and Reisyu with 3 years old Sake are available with Kappo Sake (bamboo Sake). Stubborn landlord, and beautiful landlady are waiting for you at the hotel.
Address? 126-100 Hirase Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

3. Yu-no-Sato
The hotel�s style can�t be seen in Shirakawa-go with unusual ceiling-well that dismantle Fukui�s fishermen’s boss�s building and reconstruct it. Hills and waters and the natural hot spring are the charm of family accommodation

4. Fujiya Ryokan
�The hotel which protects the Japanese secret hot springs� The inside bath and the outdoor hot springs are entire Hinoki (Japanese cypress) making that is what hotel can proud of!! It helps to bring the good quality out of Hot springs. Also bath time of returning on the same day is possible, so as four seasons� holiday making, you are welcome to our hotel.
Address? 303-16 Hirase Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

5. Jyuemon
It is Gassho Style Inn that has 300 years history.
Address? 2653 Ogimachi Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

6. Inn Bunroku
The Inn is backed by the superb view of mountain. How about having a meal with the birds twittering, and watching the pond�s Koi (carp). You can enjoy the therapeutic walk in the forest even staying in the Inn. You might get the welcome words from cows
Address? 911 Ogimachi Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

7. himizu
Our Inn has 200 years history of Gassho style. It is situated in inside of the Gassho Colony, but it is bit out of center so quieter Inn.
Address? 2613 Ogimachi Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

Dining room of a gassho-zukuri farmhouse

Kikori Souvernir shop. The most spacious souvenir shop in Shirakawa village. Located at Ogimachi south exit, and the next door on both sides are a dining room Tyube and Life museum.

Ogimachi Village, the largest village at Shirakawago

Hatago Shirayama Hotel at Hirase Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

World heritage Shirakawa-go Gassho-styled village. An antique village registered as a world heritage. The 112 Gassho-styled houses are a faithful remnant of old Japanese scenery.

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Isawa Onsen Hotspring in Yamanashi

Isawa is a small town in Yamanashi Prefecture. It is one of the tourist hot spring sites in Japan. The city is near with Tokyo and Mount Fuji. In spring the land is clothed in pink and the soft scent of peach blossoms is in the air.

Though Isawa Onsen�s history is not so long, it is the largest hot spring resort in Yamanashi Prefecture and famous throughout the country. In 1961, when people dug in a vineyard here, 60-degree-temperature water gushed forth. They threw the water away, diverting it to a nearby river, and children who played in the river were pleased because the water was warm and comfortable. Seeing that, people thought only throwing away this hot water was a waste and made a pool, which became a kind of openair bath and drew a lot of attention. Since that humble start, Isawa Onsen has been developing and now more than 3.5 million tourists visit this area annually.

Close to Tokyo, it is said to be the second largest hot spring resort in Japan next to Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, and has about 100 accommodations ranging from small inns for families to expensive Japanese ryokan to large-scale hotels for large group holiday-makers.

The Isawa hot spring flowed forth suddenly from a vineyard in 1961, which explains the why it is known as the “Hot Spring of the Vineyard.” With approximately 150 hotels and Japanese style ryokan inns, it is the biggest hot spring resort in Yamanashi.

Contents: Pure hot spring 113-140o F

How to access Isawa Onsen :
Take a 90 minutes from Shinjuku Station to Isawa Onsen Station on the JR Chuo Line.

Isawa Hot Spring Address :
Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Phone Number 055-262-3626 (Isawa Hot Spring Inn Association)
URL http://www.isawaonsen.or.jp/

Hotes in Isawa town :
1. Hotel Hatta
JPY 9,600 – JPY 16,300
The hotel Hatta is a bath-proud hotel with the theme of �beauty, health, and healing.� We serve a meal mixed with Japanese and Western style kaiseki (traditional multi-course dinner) benefiting of local foods. It is a qualified facility for health enhancement.

2. Hotel Hanaisawa
JPY 9,500 – JPY 15,200
Re-opened in March, 2002 based on the theme of “Comfort and Elegance.” We have a new large bath, more restaurants and the renewed front lobby now, to welcome you.

3. Hotel Sekitei
JPY 8,900 – JPY 13,650
This modern Japanese resort blends the tranquility of an authentic Japanese setting with versatility in style. The night view from the rotenburo (open-air bath) with a cypress wood bathtub is unsurpassed in the Koshu region.

4. Hotel Fuji
JPY 9,900 – JPY 16,600
Our big rock baths and large spa style baths with spectacular views of the garden are worth experiencing.

5. Fujinoya Yutei
JPY 10,700 – JPY 18,900
An authentic ryokan (Japanese-style hotel) near a clean stream containing sweet fish (Ayu). Enjoy a thermal spring open-air bath and private open-air bath in the annex. All guest rooms have recently been renovated.

6. Isawa Tokiwa Hotel
JPY 9,500 – JPY 13,650
Located 5 minutes from the highway exit, at the east entrance to Isawa Hot Spring, we aim to provide guests with the best possible hospitality.

7. Meiseki no Yado Kagetsu
JPY 18,800 – JPY 27,900
Please enjoy a leisurely time at our large open-air bath and sukiya style (a traditional way of construction for the tea ceremony room) guest rooms. Our Japanese garden of 5000 tsubo (16500 square meters) was created with the great technique of modern lan

8. Hanayagi no Sho Keizan
JPY 9,300 – JPY 22,050
Only five minutes walk from Isawa Onsen Station, we are very conveniently located. We are proud of our large baths and open air baths whose water is sourced from a naturally occurring hot spring.

9. Hotel Kaiji
JPY 11,550 – JPY 12,600
Our quiet Japanese-style hotel faces some Sakura trees and a small river, and has a Japanese garden around it. The large hot spring bath with a good supply of water is popular. We are proud of our cuisine made from the local ingredients.

10. Kizukuri no Yado Kikori
JPY 14,490 – JPY 24,465
The classic ryokan (traditional Japanese-style inn) is located in the onsen (hot springs) town, surrounded by modern architecture. We hope that you will enjoy the soul and warmth of trees.

11. Isawa View Hotel
JPY 10,500 – JPY 12,600
Unwind in this Japanese-style hotel to your heart�s content as you enjoy the chef�s special dinner course, Kohama Sekizen, rich in local flavor.

12. Kyosuiso
JPY 10,500 – JPY 13,650
We are a quiet Japanese style hotel with six kinds of bathing facilities and delicious cuisine. We cater to individuals, families, and groups.

13. Hanare no Yado Tagano
JPY 22,050 – JPY 23,100
With only eight guest rooms in total, this traditional Japanese-style inn is situated on nearly 5000 square meters of serene ground. The all-natural waters of the hot spring are available 24 hours a day.
Meitei no Yado Koshien
JPY 9,450 – JPY 30,450
We are an authentic, two storey Japanese style hotel surrounded by a 6,600 square meter Japanese garden. We also have rooms with private outdoor baths.

14. Yoimachi no Sato Hanasuisho
JPY 13,650
We are a compact Japanese hotel designed with a floral theme. We have two kinds of open-air baths, a hinoki (cypress) wood bath and a stone bath. Meals, carefully prepared using seasonal ingredients, are served in your room.

15. Hotel Kasugai
JPY 15,200 – JPY 19,000
Our Japanese style hotel is next to Isawa Onsen in the center of the Kasugaikajitsu hot spring resort, also a production area of peaches and grapes. You can gaze at Fuefuki River or Mt. Fuji.

Isawa Hot Spring

Isawa Hot Spring Resort flowed forth suddenly from a vineyard in 1961

Isawa Hot SPring is the largest hot spring resort in Yamanashi Prefecture and also one of the most famous in Japan.

The main site of the Isawa Onsen Matsuri Festival (Isawa Spa Festival and Fireworks Display) is the shore of the Fuefuki-gawa, a river that runs through the town of Isawa-cho.

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Hyogo famous Hijemi Castle and Hotspring

Hy?go Prefecture (??? Hy?go-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kinki region on Honsh? island. Hyogo is located in the Kansai Region, stretching from the Seto Inland Sea to the Sea of Japan. Its largest city and prefectural capital is Kobe, its most famous tourist attraction is Himeji Castle, and its best known hot spring resorts are Arima and Kinosaki.

Hyogo prefecture is famous for the city Kobe (the capital city), Himeji City, Kinosaki Onsen, and city of Takarazuka.

Hy?go borders on Osaka Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture and Okayama Prefecture.

Akashi Bridge

Hijemi Casle in Hijemi City
Himeji is most famous for its magnificent castle, Himeji Castle, widely considered to be Japan’s most beautiful surviving feudal castle. The castle is designated both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site.

Kinosaki City
Kinosaki is located in northern Hyogo Prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan. This pleasant town, built along a willow lined river, is one of the top onsen destinations of the Kansai Region.

Kitano Sight seeing

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Kanazawa Ishikawa Japan History City

Kanazawa (??? Kanazawa-shi) is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan. Kanazawa sits on the Sea of Japan, bordered by the Japan Alps, Hakusan National Park and Noto Peninsula National Park. The city sits between the Sai and Asano rivers. Its total area is 467.77 km�. Kanazawa, located northwest of Tokyo along the Sea of Japan, rose in prominence during the 15th century, when the powerful and militant Ikko sect established new headquarters there after being chased out of Kyoto by the monks of Mount Hiei.

Kanazawa is one of the overlooked jewels of Japanese tourism, its offer really japanese history and culture such as the samurai, the merchants, the geisha, and the lords have all left their mark on Kanazawa in a compact, easily navigable central area.

Kanazawa attractions :
1. Kenrokuen : Japan’s most celebrated landscape garden. The Garden of Six Attributes is considered one of Japan’s Top 3 gardens.
2. Chaya Districts : District of teahouse where geisha perform.
3. Seisonkaku Villa : Beautiful Japanese villa in Kenrokuen.
4. Nagamachi : Kanazawa’s former samurai district.
5. Ninjadera : Temple equipped with secret doors and traps.
6. 21st Century Museum : Spectacular contemporary art museum.
7. Omicho Market : Busy market near Kanazawa Station.
8. Oyama Shrine : Shrine dedicated to the former local lord.
9. Kanazawa Castle : Slowly being reconstructed.

Kanazawa Temples and shrines :
1. Ninja Temple (??? My?ryu-ji) : The tour guides insist there is no connection between the ‘Ninja Temple’ and actual ninja assassins.
2. Oyama Shrine (????) : on the other side of the castle. Built in the early Meiji period to honour the founding father of the Kaga Domain, Maeda Toshiie
3. Tentoku-in (???) : the largest temple in Kanazawa during the Edo period, it stood at the eastern end of the city.
4. Daij?ji Temple : is an old and active Zen Buddhist Temple set away from traffic on a hillside. The temple in its current location dates from 1697.
5. Shinmeiguu Shrine ??? : this shrine is famous for the 900 year old plus Zelkova tree (keyaki) in its grounds.

Kanazawa nightlife

While in Kanazawa, don’t miss the opportunity to sample tea ceremony tea (?? matcha), served with either an incredibly dry and tasteless sweet (??? higashi) or a rather more appetizing fresh one (??? namagashi). Figure on �5000-1000 depending on where you try it; the Higashi-Chaya geisha district probably offers the nicest teahouses.

The Katamachi area in central Kanazawa is wall to wall with bars of all shapes and sizes. Some buildings such as the Elle Building are almost exclusively full of hostess bars (often referred to as lounge bars) which may not always be foreigner friendly. Many bars will hit you for a cover charge anywhere upwards of �500 per person stretching into thousands.

Best of Kanazawa nighlife bars and drinking beers place are listed here :

1. Apre : A mix of locals and gaijin fill this large two-storey bar near K?rinbo 109. There’s free internet, a pool table, plenty of food and beer selections and a lively crowd (at least on weekends).

2. Baby Rick : This classy little shot bar has a billiard table, jazz and whisky (the good kind), and you can get dishes like spaghetti carbonara and homemade pizzas. It’s in the basement level beneath Shidax karaoke. If you enter after 22:00 there’s a cover charge.

3. I no Ichiban : This slender izakaya serves plenty of cocktails and has ambience in spades – so much so that it’s almost unrecognisable from the street; look for the wood-panel screen and tiny stand of bamboo

4. Ishikawa Prefectural N? Theatre : N? theatre is alive and well in Kanazawa, and performances are held once a week during summer at Ishikawa Prefectural N? Theatre.
5. Pilsen : Two blocks from the Katamachi Scramble, this German-style place serves lots of beers and a fascinating hybrid menu: where else can you get a sausage plate and warm tofu-mushroom salad at the same meal?

6. Pol� Pol� : In the same building (and sharing the same owners) as Legian restaurant, this dark, grungy and friendly bar is an institution for decades of gaijin and locals – look for the signatures of foreign exchange students. The narrow floor is littered with peanut shells (proceeds from peanut sales go to charity), and the music (reggae) is loud.

7. Nyumba, JR Station area, 2-19-4 Hon-machi, 076-233-7405 open 11:30am – Midnight, closed on Sundays. A stylish, modern family run cafe/bar near Kanazawa station. They do lunch specials for around �900 (11:30 – 14:00). Draft beer goes for �500 and they have a range of teas and coffees from �300. Cocktails are in the �600 range.

8. Machrihanish, Katamachi Area, Kigura-machi, 076-233-0072 open 18:30 – 02:00, closed on Sundays. The best selection of Single Malts in Kanazawa bar none. The English speaking owner spent several years working at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and has visited every distillery in Scotland! If whisky is your thing this is the place to visit. Draft Kilkenny is �900 a pint, cocktails start at �750 and the vast whisky selection kicks off at �700. The fish and chips is recommended. It is on the 2nd floor next to a bar called Cadeau look for the large white sign.

9. Ozi, Tatemachi shopping street, open 11:00 – 23:00, closed on Mondays. A great place to sit and people watch while sipping a drink. Draft beer is �500 and soft drinks are �250. Kebabs, tortilla rolls and pizzas are on the menu and the friendly owner, who hails from Istanbul, speaks English, Persian and German. A popular spot with resident foreigners.

Kanazawa Photos :

Teahouses in Higashi-Chayamachi

Kanazawa Train Station in Kanazawa, Japan

Kanazawa Kenrokuen

Chayakanazawa, Higashi Geisha District

Kanazawa Castle, Ishikawa Gate (National Important Cultural Properties)

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Gifu Takayama history city in Chubu

Gifu Prefecture (???) is a region in the central Chubu region of the main Japanese island Honshu. Gifu city is near to Takayama, a beautiful town in the mountains, and Shirakawa-go, a collection of small villages even deeper in the mountains.

Gifu is easily accessible both domestically and for travellers coming from abroad. Gifu can be reached by train in 20 minutes from Nagoya, 1 hour from Central Japan International Airport (CENTRAIR), 2 hours from Tokyo, and 1 hour from Osaka.

Gifu City is well known as a historical city with UKAI (cormorant fishing) in the pristine Nagara River �a tradition with some 1300 years of history. It is also famous for Gifu Castle, a central landmark in the history of 16 century daimy? general ODA Nobunaga.

Gifu City was also approved as an international convention city in 1988, and has continued to grow in popularity as an international convention and tourism city ever since.

Gifu Tourism

Gifu has many popular tourist attractions, bringing visitors to all parts of the prefecture. The most popular places are Gifu, Gero, Shirakawa and Takayama. Gifu is famous for cormorant fishing, which has a history of over 1,300 years, as for being a long-term residence of both Oda Nobunaga and Sait? D?san. Gero is known for its relaxing hot springs, which attract visitors throughout the year. Shirakawa’s historic villages are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Takayama is famous for retaining its original appearance and is often referred to as Little Kyoto.

In addition to international tourists, Gifu also plays host to many international events. The World Event and Convention Complex Gifu is available for many types of events. Other areas of Gifu, too, bring international events, such as in 2005 when the World Rowing Championships were held in the city of Kaizu.

Gifu Attractions :

1. Takayama : Preserves one of Japan’s nicest old towns.
2. Shirakawa-go : Mountainous region, known for its farmhouses.
3. Furukawa : Small town 15 minutes north of Takayama.
4. Gujo-Hachiman : Small town in rural Japan with castle.
5. Gero Onsen : Famous hot spring resort south of Takayama

Gifu sightseeings :

1. Cormorant Fishing
Ukai is the fishing method to which a fisherman catches fish using a cormorant, and has performed for about 1300 years.

2. Gifu Castle
Come see a symbol of Gifu City at the summit of Mt. Kinka, featuring various displays inside and an observation gallery on top!

3. Gifu Park
With its spring cherry blossoms, refreshing summer greenery, beautiful autumn leaves, and winter snow, Gifu Park is a paradise of seasonal pleasures.

4. Mt. Kinka Ropeway
It takes you from Gifu Park to Mt. Kinka in 3 min. Enjoy the dynamic beauty of Nagara River and the cityscape!

5. Gifu City Museum of History
The history and culture of Gifu City are shown through the unique experience-based exhibition, focusing on Sengoku period.

6. Mt. Kinka
It’s 329 meters high, in the center of Gifu City. Nature trails take you to the top with enjoyable natural scenery.

7. Nagara River
1300 years of historical UKAI runs in Nagara River. Its water has been protected and this river is rated as one of the 100 cleanest and of 88 best bathing places in Japan.

8. UKAI no Sato
See cormorants and traditional UKAI implements at the 6 Cormorant Fishing Masters’ houses along the Nagara River!

9. Gifu Great Buddha
One of the 3 greatest Buddha statues in Japan, and the biggest (13.7 meters) constructed by the dry lacquer technique, The Gifu Great Buddha will soothe you with his graceful smile.

10. Sofuku-ji Temple
See the monument for Nobunaga and his son Nobutada’s as well as historical materials related to Gifu Castle, nestled here among the beautiful Japanese enkianthus trees.

11. Kawara-machi area
Walk and see old-fashioned Japanese houses, and traditional confectioner’s shops, along with restaurants and galleries converted from old townhouses!

12. Nagara River Hot Springs
Enjoy hot springs along the Nagara River. Why don’t you relax in the russet brown water, experiencing the beauty of the changing seasons?

13. Bairin Park
About 1300 plum trees of some fifty different species are planted here. The Plum Festival is held in early March attracting many visitors every year.

Photos of Gifu city :

First built as a fortress on the top of Mt. Kinka in 1201, Gifu Castle has a history of about 800 years.