This place looks so unreal! Yet there it is – a real winter wonderland from another time.
And the fact that it’s in Japan even adds to the whoa! factor of this place. I mean if this was in places like New Zealand or Germany or other places in Europe, that might be awesome but not as striking.
It looks magical.
This is in Gifu Prefecture, and this not even up north where most of the snows are.
I was equally in awe seeing the snows on the road to get to Gifu.
These snow images are from the location, but I tell you, these are the same views on the road.
I was in pure delight.
Shirakawago is only an hour away from Takayama – see previous post. The historic villages with their traditional Gassho-style houses are part of UNESCO World Heritage.
We were a bit off coming here early, but it still is beautiful.
There’s a certain area portion for visitors to get inside the houses, but the village area is actually residential.
One of my favorite was actually sitting by a fire pit while sipping delicious hot tea after being in the cold.
Japan really is full of wonders!
Last Calls…
The Sophomore Slump 
Wow! Rommel, you totally changed what my view of Japan. Your photos convinced me that Japan is a place I must visit! Thank you so much for these beautiful photos!
Blogging does that to us. 🙂
Magically, even more so in the snow. I remember that shrine on the other side of the main drag.The snow covered forests are so beautiful. Brings back memories. Thank you!
So you went here during winter too? I wonder how this place looks during a different season. Probably, winter time here is the best, eh?
Yes I did and it was freaking cold and freaking beautiful (https://travel-gourmand.com/2016/05/07/shirakawa-go-in-the-snow/). We stayed in a farmhouse that nearly froze us to death because they told us to turn off the heater at night and the windows had gaps, it was 2 degrees Celsius in the room when I woke up. (https://travel-gourmand.com/2016/04/28/japanese-farmhouse-stay/). I love your photos of the snow dusted forest. Wish I had took one like that. Great photos!
Stunning!
Pure delight alright!
… I was like a kid visiting Disneyland. 🙂
🙂 – I bet…
What an amazing place! Nice photography, too.
Thanks for the compliment and visit.
This is one place I would like to see. That first shot looked like a painting! and love your shots.
I stared at that painting quite a bit. 🙂
Wow! So pretty! I want to go to this place 🙂
Wow is right! 🙂
Stunning photos you have here Rommel. Ang ganda 🙂
… Sobra! 🙂
Absolutely magical Rommel, I will revisit this post later with access to a bigger screen and a cup of tea ☺
Yeah, you do that. It looks so much better on a bigger screen. 😀 … just like your landscape pictures, 😉
:o)
Beautiful, like an old country of poetic dreams. I shared these photos with my family, and we found them totally inspiring. Thanks Rommel!
Ah, nice! Look at my post … making families close together. 😀 I know that a leap, but still … 🙂
Japan is one of the few places on earth that everything is in perfect order, and yet is elegant and poetically presented.
Your exquisite photos expressed it so very beautifully. I’m falling in love with this place.
So many contrasts in Japan … I love it! 😉
Just beautiful!
So beautiful!
So Beautiful! i have seen this place in a Japanese Documentary and failed to catch the place’s name. Plan to visit this place! I have been to Japan twice and there are still a lot of places to discover. 🙂 I also enjoyed your blog, so many great photos!
You’re making me watch documentary of this place. Hmmm…
I’ve been here just two months shy to make it a year, and you’re right!, there’s so much more to explore.
Thanks for the comment and visit, Effie.
Magical photos. Japan is an amazing country and one of the safest in the world. Also, Japan had some of the healthiest food. I never realized that it snowed there! Great informative and lovely post.
Japan is the safest I’ve ever been to. And yes, I am floored on how Japanese people eat so much sometimes and as if they don’t add any weight. Thanks for the comment and visit, Nancy J.
Rommel, those are some truly wonderful and unique scenes and great photography!
I’m glad you found this unique. I was wondering if it really is. Thanks for the feedback, Jude.
Awesome photos! Many thanx for sharing.
Awesome, it is! 🙂
Wow what a stunning place Rommel, I’ll have to pop back when I can view on a screen instead of my I phone 🙂
You won’t regret doing that. 😀
This place looks sutnningly gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
❤ Alana
Thanks for the comment and visit, Alana.
It looks too lovely and quaint to be for real! Like you strayed onto some kind of film set …
I know, right. Quite a leap, but I had The Hobbit in mind. 🙂
This photos don’t even look real as if taken from another time. They are gorgeous, Rommel, each depicting order and perfection in their own unique way. Incredible journey you gave me this morning, for Japan I truly doubt is a place I will ever be able to see. Thank you so much!!!! ❤
Yes, the fact that it’s an old setting even adds to the amazement of this place.
Lovely photos.. very beautiful.. been wanting to go to Japan…
Thanks for the compliment and visit, jazperjay. I’m very grateful of having my dream of coming here in Japan comes true.
All the photos are great but I really like photos 7 – 10 showing the snow over the forest.
I’m 100% with you. Even those snowy forest alone made the trip worthwhile. Thanks for the feedback.
Aha, you are still in Japan (or still writing about your time in Japan!). I LOVE these photos; that dusting of snow is the perfect accent for this charming place.
The snows definitely made it more picturesque than it already is. Thanks for the comment and visit, lexklein.
What a beautiful place💗
Beautiful as it is, you can keep it, Rommel. TOO cold! Merry Christmas 🙂 🙂
Where I’m residing is actually 5 hours from it, and here is not that cold. So I’m okay just visiting. 😀 😉
🙂 🙂
These photos are absolutely beautiful. I think I will always be in some stage of missing Japan. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi stranger, I haven’t been receiving your posts so I’m way behind. Hope you are well. Great photos. 🙏🏻😀
Truly stunning. The image of the room with the fire pit after seeing all the snow – all I can say is Wow. Thank you so much for sharing this.
It sure does look magical .. wonderful images
You have such a wonderful eye for photography Rommel. These photos are spectacular! Happy holidays to you my friend.
The exquisite beauty of Japan is captured brilliantly. Thanks for sharing these lovely pictures Rommel.
Simply beautiful… Love the pictures.. I love Japan… Can’t wait for my visit there.
I always wanted to visit this place. Your pictures are incredible! Beautiful.
This place is like from fairy tales. The way the houses look and the snow covers everything around them.
Very beautiful photos. I love them. Not so much snow than in Finland and missing reindeers. Thank You.
Fantastic post!