Sat Jan 6 2007 (Day 16) - Winter Wonderland

After breakfast at Shimizu Inn, we checked out and headed to the Visitors Centre to see if we can store our bags there until mid-day when we check into our next accommodation in Shirakawa-go -Yokichi.



crossing the bridge to the Visitor's Centre






view of the Visitor's Centre and parking area

After storing our bags at the reception, we waited and then boarded the bus that takes us to the viewpoint. It was raining. The view from the viewpoint somehow seemed a bit more surreal, a bit more beautiful in images than being there in real-life. Nonetheless, it is still breathtaking, like a winter wonderland.

the shop at the viewpoint where we took shelter while waiting for the bus to go back down


After checking-in at Yokichi, we walked around the town and visited the Gassho-village museum. It was still pouring

Back onto the main street


we then walked towards the direction of Shimizu Inn to find the other trademark view of Shirakawa-go

Found it

We went back to Yokichi for a rest and then we walked back up to the viewpoint for a dusk view of the village before it gets too dark. The innkeeper lady lent us some walking boots which made walking on the wet and icy road a lot easier. Walking to the view point isn't that far.

Our best shots without the tripod.

Made our way back to the inn before it gets too dark to descend.
A gassho-zukuri at the botton of the hill near then end of the road leading to the viewpoint

The building with flash


our room at Yokichi, waiting for dinner
Left: the wardrobe Center: The main door Right: The heater

Meals were served in the meal room. There were 2 other couples staying at the inn that night.






It was snowing outside. Apparently thunder doesn't just come with rain, it does with snow too. I heard thunder and thought it was a storm. It turned out that it was snowing heavily outside.

Next day...