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Sunday, September 23, 2012

Takayama

One way to ease stress is to travel and thankfully, there was a long weekend this month. It was the opportunity we've been waiting for to escape from work's pressure and Tokyo's fast-paced life. We found ourselves heading to Gifu Prefecture.

  takayama 06


Gifu prefecture is exactly the opposite of Tokyo, it was quiet, slow-paced and fresher. Ah, I could live it here. One of the reasons why we chose to go to Gifu was to see the historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, both were UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

  takayama 07 

a dreamlike design
stands test of changing eras 
halcyon kingdom 

I heard a lot of this village before so it felt surreal to be finally in this place. The place, with lots of farmhouses, appears to be like in another dimension, or another era that could only be replicated in movies most of the time. It is unreal. Good thing that everything is still preserved for younger generations to see and embrace.

  takayama 10 TOT_1888TOT_1992 takayama 09

If you look closely on the details of the huts / houses, you can't help but to admire the architecture, the hardwork of all people involved, considering how limited the technology before was. These architecture style are known as gassho-zukuri 

Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer", as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The architectural style developed over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter. The roofs, made without nails, provided a large attic space used for cultivating silkworms. more here
It is also pretty obvious that farming is one of the main sources of Gifu economy. The place made me missed my life in the province. It is so laid-back, peaceful and relaxing.

  takayama 01 

Two days were not enough to appreciate fully this place. If given another chance, I will go back here, preferably during winter season. I definitely agree that this is one of the beautiful villages in the world.

  takayama 08
takayama 12takayama 14 

And for a couple of days, this was our house in the woods. I am really thankful for my officemates for tagging me along. It was another chapter of my Japan life that I won't forget.  Too bad that the trip needed to be cut short because of a scheduled business trip. We headed back to Japan refreshed and stress-free. 

takayama 15 

ありがとうみんなさん!

I owe all of you a long drive. On the next trip, I'll drive, whether you like or not. Or whether I'll understand the signs / navigation or not. 

 おつかれさまでした!

 /totomai
 2012/09/23

36 comments:

  1. Ang ganda ninong! Go back this winter, and bring us with you! let's have your birthday shoot there. Dun ka sa tuktok ng bubong na puno ng snow :P

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    Replies
    1. I'll try. still thinking where to do my birthday shoot haha :-)

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  2. awesome macro photos and also haiku


    much love...

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  3. A very enjoyable read my friend & what rich colors in these photos!
    .. when is your birthday?

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  4. You are soooo lucky to have the opportunity to travel. A great way to unwind. What an interesting scene this is.

    http://www.takeahappybreak.com/2012/09/let-it-go.html

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  5. Replies
    1. Just lucky to have crazy officemates. :-) Thanks Geraldine

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  6. how wonderful you can see an ancient town still operating as it always did.....so magical and pristine...really enjoyed your photos and commentary....always love to learn something new

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    1. My pleasure joanne. I've been enjoying Japan lately

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  7. love the village, it is like a village set in heaven.

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    Replies
    1. at first i thought it's from the movie Signs haha

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  8. I can see why you are so drawn to this peaceful place. Beauty is so soothing. I hope you get your halcyon days there.

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    Replies
    1. i had. maybe too short but it was enough to be refreshed. thanks Lisa

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  9. Natsukashiiiiii. I went to Takayama in winter, when everything was filled with snow. It's indeed a beautiful place, regardless of the season.

    And I love where you stayed for a couple of days. Great pics! :)

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    Replies
    1. so are you saying i need to go back there this winter? haha

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    2. Hmmm, sabi nila ideal winter tourist spot daw yun. Here's my post on my solitary trip to Takayama. http://kikitavenue.blogspot.com/2010/03/takayama-wonderland_09.html (Sorry for the free advertisement!)

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    3. hi kit, will read your blog later. thanks for sharing. yup, that's what i heard too. ideal sa winter :-)

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  10. is this the same village where they use fire trucks to douse water to the houses on summers para di cia prone sa pagkasunog? the ritual is a tourism spectacle. if it is, the village was featured on david celdran's executive class.

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    Replies
    1. I am not sure if it's the same village. when there few weeks ago and didn't see any fire trucks.

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  11. Ang ganda naman. :) Hope I could visit Japan someday. :)


    http://www.dekaphobe.com

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  12. Wow..looks like a truly magical place..Jae

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  13. thank you for the awesome photos, you have capture this week's prompt!!! i think i love the photo with the "bridge"

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    Replies
    1. thanks ms pie. my pleasure in sharing this experience

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  14. That is a dreamlike landscape, to be sure.

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  15. wow nice.
    gotta love that fern picture. ganda

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any thoughts to distill?

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