Gifu

Myozenji Temple in Shirakawa-go

A temple with the biggest thatched roof in the village

Takako Sakamoto Feb 22, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>When I saw this scenery I thought, "I was right to come here in winter!</p>

<p>The rare belfry gate with canopy and thatched-roof over it</p>

<p>Snow blew so hard that my umbrella was getting heavier by the minute</p>

<p>Be careful, otherwise you'll be buried in snow to your waist!</p>

<p>Back view of Myozenji Temple's main hall. The back entrance was completely blocked by a snow wall!</p>

<p>A village inn located on a higher ground from Myozenji Temple. I passed by some hotel visitors who had just checked out.</p>

<p>Take a look at the utility pole half buried in snow! I was lost for words at this sight!</p>

<p>Tourist's suitcases with wheels are no use here!</p>

On February 9th in 2015, I arrived at the final destination of my trip, World Heritage Site Hida Shirakawa-go, and walked into the village full of traditional thatched roof houses.

As I walked, my umbrella got heavier by the minute, due to the never-ending snow falling from the sky. At last, I reached the Kuri building of Myozenji Temple, which has the biggest thatched-roof in the village.

The thatched-roof building's magnificence awed me. Also, the unique structure of the belfry gate with peaked roof on the first floor, and the thatched roof on the second was a sight to behold! My dream finally came true...I'd been waiting many years to see Shirakawago in snow! It was time to go home, but I swore to myself I would come back again.

Hida Shirakawa-go: A World Heritage Site 1. Shirakawa-go in Snow 2. Myozenji Temple in Shirakawa-go

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...