Shirakawago - weekend bus tour

Thanks to my Japanese teacher, Mioko, and our good friend, Annie, Chris and I were able to get away for a weekend. We joined Mioko and her husband, Nao, on a weekend bus tour to the Japan Alps and Japan Sea coast.

It was Mioko who booked the trip and helped guide us through the all Japanese tour. And it was Annie who stayed home to take care of our daughters for the weekend. We are so grateful for good friends!!

Chris and I really enjoyed seeing some beautiful sights in Japan without the distraction of children. It was so great to have some quality time together as well!

After an 8 hour bus ride we arrived at Shirakawago. This is a beautiful town located in the Japan Alps, here they have preserved a nearly 300 year old village. The village is still functioning today with families still living in the old thatched roof homes.

Before touring the village we ate a delicious Japanese meal; beef seared on a bed of leaves, tofu, potatoes, cabbage salad, miso soup, and tea.

Nao and Mioko

Shirakawago Village








Most of the homes are very large, 3-4 stories tall. The upper level is typically used for harvesting silk worms.

This barn has a newly thatched roof. The roofs are replaced every 25 years.

We were able to tour the inside of this home, which is nearly 300 years old.

This is the attic or upper level.

A replica of an old silk worm farm.

This is a Buddhist shine in the home.

After hiking the village in the frigid temperatures, we were ready to soak in the osen. This was Chris's first time to experience a Japanese style osen. An osen is a public hot springs bath, in Japan the men and women are separate. This hotel provided a lovely osen that was both indoors and outdoors. This is a photo of Chris and I in our yukatas ready to head to the osen.