JAPANESE STATION
 
The next stopover places visited by the team of Japanese Station is to the village of Shirakawa-go Ogimachi. Shirakawa-go itself is one of the locations into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 and is known as a traditional village with houses typical of Gassho-zukuri style. The village is located close to Takayama, Gifu Prefecture is surrounded by mountains and forests. This area is also known as one of the most snowy places in Japan.
 
Before Tim Japanese Station see directly what Gassho-zukuri houses, we visited the Shiroyama Viewpoint first. Shiroyama Viewpoint is the most ideal location for seeing the sights Ogimachi village which is amazing especially when the village is covered with thick snow. If you take note of this location, houses Gassho-zukuri in this Ogimachi deliberately built facing more or less the same. Because these houses are built in such a way that the left and right sides Gassho-zukuri roof leads to the East and the West, where the sun rises and sets, so that the snow that had accumulated on the roof of the houses could be longer exposed to sunlight and quickly drops to the ground.
 
Before entering you must pass Ogimachi Deai Bridge which spans the River Shokawa. Ogimachi is the largest village in Shirakawa-go where you can walk around and see the Gassho-zukuri houses. Gassho-zukuri name itself is taken from the steep roof shape similar to the shape of palms together while praying. Because of this very snowy area then this steep roof serves to snow piled on the roof could fall so easily. Houses Gassho-zukuri shape is considered very rare in Japan, and formerly of Shirakawa-go is a very remote area and difficult to reach.
 
The best time to enjoy the scenery Ogimachi nice is when the village is covered with snow or when he is surrounded by green fields. Some houses Gassho-zukuri located in Ogimachi has been converted into a restaurant, museum, gift shop up to the inn. In the gift shop there are a lot of unique souvenirs that you can buy for relatives at home.
 
One of them is Sarubobo, doll-shaped amulet from Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. Sarubobo, which literally means "baby monkey", it is usually made by a grandmother to her grandchildren as a doll to play and also to his daughter as a talisman for marriage and family life are good.