Shirakawago: A Winter Wonderland Adventure

It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen such a heavy snowfall—over 40 years ago during my childhood in Switzerland.

Today, however, Hiromi and I visited Shirakawago, and we found ourselves in a breathtaking winter wonderland. To our surprise, we were able to drive there without needing snow chains. The roads were in great condition. When we arrived at 9 AM, almost nobody was visiting yet, which made me reflect on the concept of over-tourism. Just an hour later, however, the parking lots were filled with tour buses and cars, as tourists from all over the globe flooded in.

Fortunately, we were already on our way to Takayama before it became bumper to bumper.

You might be wondering about the rush. Well, Hiromi has recently become a licensed tourist guide for Japan. Together, we were conducting research and rehearsing for our upcoming clients from Canada, who will be visiting in April.

Previously, I explored many places in Japan, especially around Gifu and Aichi Prefectures. As Hiromi takes on more guiding responsibilities, I have the pleasure of accompanying her, chauffeuring her, and uncovering hidden gems for our visitors.

It’s fascinating to witness this development. I seize these moments to document and share our travel experiences, hoping to inspire you and perhaps provide the opportunity to host you if you ever decide to visit Japan.