TRAVEL/PHOTOGRAPHY /GLOBETROTTERS/JAPAN
My Journey To Aichi, Gifu And Nagano Prefectures Of Japan (Part 1)
While everyone went to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, I went somewhere else
After four years, I was able to travel again. It feels like it’s my first time.
The fear was bigger than the excitement. Every day, I read about immigration horror stories of Filipinos going out of the country.
Some first-time travelers, solo travelers, and migrant workers were scrutinized and ended up being offloaded. Passengers missed their flights because of the long lines at the immigration. Airport management advised passengers to come to the airport at least 5 hours before the flight. Hayzzz.
Added to this is the need to register online before arriving in Japan and before returning to the Philippines. The need for a vaccination certificate for both.
However, as of this writing, Japan does not require a vaccination certificate anymore . And everyone going out of the Philippines is required to register online.
Weird it may sound but I booked with Japan Airlines which was more expensive to avoid the airport terminal where the above-mentioned cases always happened (and are still happening). Having a red-eye flight and the last flight for the night, there was no long lines at the immigration and only one question between me and the immigration officer. Costly airfare but no stress in getting out of the country.
Japan here I come
In every travel, I want to be a traveler and less of a tourist. I stay away from where everyone goes. I stay away from where there is a big crowd. I want every travel to be intimate as possible. Traveling is not an everyday thing, why make it like a party?
Every time I travel, I rather go to the offbeat route. Silent and solo. Telling only a very few people. It’s a vacation after all. A term I define as vacating myself from the normal regular routine of life. Thus, the birth of my solo traveling.
Though I wanted to go to Kyoto, it seemed like the universe didn't want to. I didn’t insist and be a rebel. The mere fact that Kyoto was overcrowded on my traveling dates was more than enough to convince me (once again ) that we are not meant for each other.
I wanted Sapporo next to Kyoto. But I’d learned about Nakasendo in Nagano. It changed my mind. A real game-changer. So I made an itinerary around the 3 less crowded and near to each other prefectures in Japan: Aichi, Gifu, and Nagano.
My plan: Nagoya-Shirakawa-go-Takayama-Nagiso-Tsumago-Inuyama
I spent my first day familiarizing myself with the transportation system of Nagoya. It’s more draining to navigate the Central Japan International Airport, the Nagoya train station, and the Meitetsu bus center, to get out of the station and to look for the hotel than flying to Japan on a red-eye flight. But it’s part of the adventure. Not complaining, just saying.
I went to Shirakawa-go the next day.
Shirakawa-go is a small village in Gifu showcasing traditional houses with the architectural style known as gassho-zukuri, meaning prayer hands. The steep thatched roofs allow the houses to shed heavy snowfall in winter.
A UNESCO world heritage site that is worth visiting. There are people living there. Not all houses are open to the public. Visitors are advised to be responsible and respectful to the homeowners. I admire the homeowners for their patience and cooperation.
Aside from the houses, there are museums, cafes, guesthouses, restaurants and souvenir shops. To have a better view of the village, one can go to the observation deck by foot or bus. Twenty minutes by foot and ¥300 for the bus fare.
The easiest and most economical way to go there from Nagoya is by bus. That’s 2 hours and 50 minutes bus ride worth ¥4000.00.
I purchased my bus ticket the day before for the 7.50 am trip. The Meitetsu bus center in Nagoya is not on the ground floor or on the street side. It’s on the 3rd floor of a building. Quite challenging with luggage in tow. Catching the bus needs catching of breath. I almost missed the bus even if I arrived at the bus center’s platform at 7.45. For the driver stepped on the pedal at exactly 7.50.
There were only a few passengers on the bus and Shirakawa-go had only 2 buses of tourists that morning. It was easy to stroll along the village.
The missing snow
I didn’t expect for snow that day though I know that it’s more beautiful to see the village covered with snow. But the few remnants of snow there were enough for me. It’s the last day of winter. I chose cherry blossom over snow anyway.
I believe that without the snow, the true essence of the village became the star of the day. The snow will only steal the limelight. The mind can concentrate on everything in there without any disturbances caused by shivering because of the chilly weather.
But on second thought, it’s the snow that gives uniqueness to the village. The thatched roof is a common thing here. The Philippines’ so-called national house “ bahay kubo” is made of thatched roof. The village is somewhat like our Mountain Province but on an international scale and architectural masterpiece. Still a far cry from what Shirakawa-go is.
If you want to go there, go in whatever season that suits you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there will never be any regret in going there. More than anything else, it’s the culture, tradition, history, significance and value of the village that we should be after for.
Bound to Takayama
At around 3 pm, I took the bus for Takayama. I spent the next two days there. A one-hour ride worth ¥2600. After checking in at the hotel and eating a late lunch, I stroll around. So peace and quiet at 5 pm.
I decided to go to a supermarket. Tucked somewhere, I sought Google Maps’ help. I have read somewhere (the forgetful me can’t remember if it’s here in Globetrotters) that the best way to educate oneself about a place is to go to its market and/or supermarket.
I spent the next two hours trying to figure out what’s those items on the shelves. I can’t understand them. The sim card that I bought didn’t work, no internet for translation. Despite that struggle, I left the supermarket with a heavy bag of groceries.
I went back to the hotel and walked in the streets that were both dark and empty.
To be continued….
