We descended on this little mountain village with round about 5000 (?) other tourists for the day. Let’s just say it got a bit crowded at times, as both morning and afternoon tours flooded in by the busload. Well, couldn’t blame them. You get very trigger-happy in a place like this, with such a gorgeous setting and interesting old houses. Due to their mountain location, these villages were cut off from the rest of the world for a long time, preserving the lifestyle and buildings. But now only around 190 of these old Gassho-style houses remain, as many of them were lost due to fire, flooding to build dams, or were modernized, losing their character. The houses are built out of wood, bamboo, rope, and grass, not a nail in sight and they can withstand piles of heavy snow. In the high pitched roofs, the people reared silkworms. This world heritage site is gorgeous, even more so because of the open spaces (by Japanese standards) and surrounding mountains, calling you for a long hike. Enjoy.
We’ve seen this intense turquoise water everywhere.Gassho house roof interior, lost of old farming equipment on show in what used to be the silkworm space.Can’t get enough of these gorgeous autumn colors.At last a photo with no other tourists.Roof detail. This is what grows if you just let it be.I love sake!Roofs are built from wood, bamboo, rope, and grass.Going up the hill for a view of the town from the viewpoint, but as we were running out of time we didn’t make it all the way to the top.Interior, smells smokey. You can’t walk on the thin wooden beams, you will fall right through.In the Japanese style, you get to cook your own food at the table.Keep your fish fresh by locking them in in the local stream that passes your house.The interior heating system, in the centre of the ground floor.Koi (? they look like koi) live in the local rivers and streams.Just couldn’t get enough of this landscape.Handcrafted items for sale. Apparently you are not allowed to take photos.Autumn is still wearing its most beautiful colors.This was a tiny one.Lunch is smoking away, therefore the hazy photo 😉Green roof!
Mushroom image, slightly out of focus. Sorry, it was super tiny. Situated between the moss. My daughter spotted them.
TASTY TRAVEL TITBITS 