The historic village of Shirakawa-go

For 5 days, Melanie and Anja are visiting me in Kanazawa. So off to Shirakawa-go :) Shirakawa-go - actually three villages - is located between Kanazawa and the Japanese Alps. Since 1995, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous for its 'Gasshou-zukuri' houses with thatched roofs, which means 'hands folded in prayer'. But the roof shape has another purpose: up to 4 meters of snow can fall in the area, and the 60-degree slope allows the snow to slide down rather than stay on top.

Almost all houses are still inhabited and some are 250 years old. In some houses, you can even go inside. In any case, you can spend a whole day in the small village - because of course there are several souvenir shops or you can simply stroll through the streets :D