Hello and welcome to Colour My Camera. In this video,
I'm going to show you some interesting and gorgeous places in Gifu Prefecture.
Number 6, Namonaki Ike, better known as Monet’s Pond
While at first it might seem like an ordinary pond,
take a closer look and it’s not hard to see where it got its nickname from.
Originally built as an irrigation reservoir for the surrounding rice fields, Monet’s Pond
became popular via social media in 2015 and now attracts thousands of visitors each year.
While there are buses that run there from Gifu station,
it is definitely more easily accessible by car.
Also more easily accessible by car is Taki Shrine.
Located deep in the mountains of Gifu prefecture, Taki Shrine is a popular spot for photographers.
Just about everything here is covered in moss from the statues,
to the torii gate, and even the stairs leading up to the shrine itself.
It’s secluded location and natural setting creates quite a mysterious
and almost abandoned feeling to the place.
Number 4, GattanGo.
Created by locals of Hida city, Gattan Go offers visitors a unique and safe experi ence
riding a mountain bike on the tracks of a former railway.
There are 2 course options to choose from and as someone who loves outdoor activities,
this is definitely one of my favourite things to do in Gifu.
I’ve made a separate video all about GattanGo so if you’d like
more information, definitely check it out.
Number 3, Takayama Old Town.
Once a bustling wealthy merchant center, Takayama’s old town is a
beautifully preserved area with many houses and buildings dating back to the Edo Period.
These days, visitors can explore museums and craft stores,
enjoy local foods, and even visit sake breweries that are over 100 years old.
I personally really enjoyed taking a leisurely wander through the town
and discovering things along the way.
Just a half hour walk from Takayama old town is Hida Folk Village.
Hida no Sato, or Hida Folk Village, is an open air museum with a collection
of over 30 traditional houses from the Hida region
including gassho-zukuri buildings, logging huts, and storehouses.
Beautiful in all four seasons, Hida Folk Village provides visitors with
a glimpse of life in the past through their exhibit of tools and utensils,
as well as onsite demonstrations of traditional handicrafts.
Number 1, the very scenic Shirakawago.
Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Shirakawago is a Japanese mountain
village famous for its traditional landscape and Gassho-style houses.
Visitors can enjoy seasonal scenery as well as learn more about the culture and traditions,
many of which live on in Shirakawago today.
For those looking to dive a little deeper,
you can also stay overnight in one of the gassho-zukuri lodgings.
So the houses here are what's called "gassho style" because the roofs are constructed
like hands together in prayer.
In winter, this place is covered in snow
and these thatched roofs are designed to withstand the weight of all that snow.
Covering a somewhat expansive area, I recommend allowing at
least 3-4 hours to explore the many things that Shirakawago has to offer.