Page 172 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

EXPERIENCE Central Honshu

Gassho-Zukuri houses in the
pretty village of Ogimachi,
in the Shokawa Valley

e Suganuma has nine gassho frame covered with sutra-
inscribed paper, then coated
buildings. Ainokura is a hill-
Shokawa Valley side hamlet of 20 gassho in clay and lacquered.
庄川渓谷 houses (two open to visitors). Gifu is also known for its
unique cuisine, the result of its
! E4 ⌂ Gifu and Toyama Open-Air Museum history as a center for trade.
Prefectures @ From
Nagoya, Takayama, " ⌂ Across the river from
Toyama, Shin-Takaoka, Ogimachi § (05769) 6-1231 TOP
# Apr–Nov: 8:40am–5pm
Kanazawa n ml. daily; Dec–Mar: 9am–4pm 5 GIFU
shirakawa-go.org/en FOODS
Fri–Wed
A remote mountain region Ayu
with unique thatched houses, This fish is grilled over
the Shokawa Valley comprises r an open flame and
two areas: Shira kawa-go served with just a
(including Ogimachi) to the Gifu sprinkling of salt.
south and the five hamlets 岐阜
of Gokayama to the north. ! E5 ⌂ Gifu Prefecture Fuyu persimmons
Under deep snow from k £ n At Gifu JR Stn; www. A winter treat that
December to March, the travel.kankou-gifu.jp tastes of dates, brown
region was historically a sugar, and cinnamon.
refuge for the defeated This rather garish spa town
and persecuted. Until the is known for ukai, a tradition Hida beef
1970s most families here that involves using trained This high-quality beef is
produced silk, raising silk- cormorants to catch fish. known for its marbling
worms in gassho-zukuri Nightly from mid-May to mid- and a layer of fat.
thatched houses. October, except at full moon
Of the original 1,800, fewer or when stormy, fishermen Kuri kinton
than 150 gassho houses and their cormorants go out Symbolizing wealth and
remain. Three settlements – on torchlit boats; the birds usually eaten at New
Ogimachi, Suganuma, and dive for ayu (sweetfish) and Year, this is a dish of
Ainokura – are World Heritage trout, which they are prevented candied chestnuts with
Sites. Every April–May, a few from swallowing by a ring mashed sweet potatoes.
houses are re-thatched, one around their necks.
roof taking 200 villagers On dry land, the town is Keichan
Chicken thighs stir-fried
and volunteers two days. known for the largest lacquer with cabbage and garlic
Ogimachi is the largest Buddha in Japan, at Shoho-ji soy sauce.
village, with 59 gassho houses temple. Dating from 1832, it
and an Open-Air Museum. comprises a woven bamboo
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