Escape to myself

This was a really interesting visit. The village houses date from the 17th century and are pretty unique. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO the houses are built in a traditional style called gassho. The area is famed for its woodworking skills and the houses are built without nails using ropes to secure the massive beams which are made from trees specially chosen for their bent trunks. They are thickly thatched. These vernacular houses were traditionally the dwellings of the non samurai class; farmers, merchants and artisans. The village is s bisected by a river and there are numerous small streams, a shrine built in the same style and pretty gardens and tiny rice fields. It’s a must see.

There are 114 houses left and the village is charming … even in the pouring rain.

Gujo Hachiman

On the way we visited the beautiful mountain town of Gujo. Famed for its water and koi carp there are still small huts where the locals can do their washing.