Day 7: Shirakawa-go, Takayama and overnight stay in a ryokan in Gero
A day of traditional villages, gassho-zukuri houses, sake in Takayama and one of the most special experiences of the trip: sleeping in a ryokan with onsen and Japanese dinner on tatami.
From Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go, Takayama and Gero
The seventh day of our Japan itinerary was one of the most varied of the trip. We left Kanazawa for Shirakawa-go , visited its traditional gassho-zukuri houses, and continued on to Takayama to experience its festival and explore its historic streets. We ended the day in Gero , staying in a traditional ryokan.
It was a very full day among mountain landscapes, Japanese rural architecture, souvenir shops, a sake tasting, onsen, yukata and dinner on tatami.
Shirakawa-go and the gassho-zukuri houses
We started the day by visiting Shirakawa-go , a mountain village declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO along with Gokayama. It is famous for its gassho-zukuri style houses , traditional buildings with steeply pitched thatched roofs.
The roof’s shape resembles two hands clasped in prayer. Besides being beautiful, this structure helps to support and shed snow, which is crucial in a mountainous region where winters can be harsh.
The town from above
We climbed up to the viewpoint to see Shirakawa-go from above. It’s one of the most beautiful sights of the day, because from up there you can much better appreciate the shape of the village, the traditional houses, and the surrounding mountain landscape.
Afterwards we went down again to stroll among the houses and continue enjoying the atmosphere of the village at a more relaxed pace.
Kanda House, a typical house inside
As we descended, we entered a typical gassho-zukuri style house. There are several famous houses to visit in Shirakawa-go, but I recommend Kanda House , which is the one we chose.
Visiting the inside of a house helps you understand what these traditional homes were like, with several levels, wooden structures and spaces designed for family life and work.
Traditional Japanese lunch included in the itinerary
We ate at Oshokuji Dokoro Shokusai Koji, a restaurant included by the tour agency where we tried traditional Japanese food. It was a convenient stop along the itinerary, perfect for recharging before continuing to Takayama.
Yatai Kaikan and the Takayama Festival floats
Later we traveled to Takayama, where we visited Yatai Kaikan, an excursion included by the tour agency and dedicated to the floats of the famous Takayama Festival.
Before touring the exhibition, we watched real footage of the festival showing how these enormous floats are prepared, moved and guided through the city streets.
Personally, it is not a visit I would recommend because the subject does not especially interest me. Even so, the floats on display were beautiful, highly elaborate and full of details in the woodwork, lacquer, carvings and ornamentation.
Kamisannomachi, shops and sake breweries
We then walked through Kamisannomachi, Takayama’s historic district. Its streets preserve wooden houses, small souvenir shops, cafés and sake breweries.
It is a lovely area for a walk, buying a traditional souvenir and wandering among shop windows and old façades.
Funasaka Sake Experience
We entered Funasaka Sake Experience to try different kinds of sake. It works in a very unusual way: you buy a small cup from a vending machine using coins, then use it to serve yourself small amounts of different sakes to taste.
It is a fun way to compare flavors, strengths and styles without ordering a full glass of each one. If you like sake, this is a highly recommended stop in Takayama. You can also buy full-size bottles of your favorite sake in the same shop.
A cookie at Quon
Before continuing the route, we made a sweet stop at Quon. There were small cookie samples to taste, so you could try them before deciding which one to buy.
I ordered a Nutella cookie with ice cream, although it was available with or without ice cream. The shop is small, but it has two or three tables inside where you can sit and enjoy your snack.
Gero and the Suimeikan ryokan
At the end of the day, we traveled to Gero, a town well known for its hot springs. Gero Onsen is considered one of Japan’s great onsen destinations and is ideal for a more traditional, relaxing experience.
We stayed at Suimeikan ryokan, one of the most special accommodations of the trip. A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, usually with tatami rooms, futons, yukata for guests and hot-spring baths or onsen. You can find more details in my article about where to stay in Japan and the hotels from my trip.
The room was very traditional and included a tea kettle, a low table for tea and Japanese futons prepared for sleeping.
Japanese dinner in tatami and yukata
We had dinner with the rest of the group in a tatami room, dressed in the yukatas provided by the ryokan. It was a delicious traditional Japanese dinner and one of those experiences that makes a trip feel unlike any other.
After such a full day, ending it between tatami, onsen and traditional room was the perfect ending.
Three highlights from this day
Options to explore Shirakawa-go and Takayama in more depth or complete the day with gastronomy and sake.
Shirakawa-goDay trip to Shirakawa-go from Takayama
A convenient option for visiting the World Heritage village and its gassho-zukuri houses.
View activitiesTakayamaGuided tour of the historic center
To discover Sanmachi Suji, its wooden houses, traditional shops and sake breweries.
View activitiesGastronomy and sakeGastronomic tour and sake tasting
An experience to taste local flavors and learn about the sake tradition of Hida.
View activitiesThe photographs are from my own experience during this route.
Shirakawa-go, sake and onsen in a single day
This itinerary is part of the main Japan guide. You can return to the full route to continue with the rest of your trip.
Back to the Japan guide