Day 4 - Shirakawago: Day Trip to a UNESCO World Heritage Site :)

This morning, we caught the 10.50am Nohi bus from JR Takayama Station to Shirakawago. :) We had bought the bus ticket from the bus counter at JR Takayama Station the day before. 

The bus ride from Takayama to Shirakawago was approximately 50mins. Easy. :)

Shirakawago is a UNSECO world heritage site and it's famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old! :O

Not wanting to rush with the later crowd, we went straight to the shuttle bus stop to catch a bus to Shiroyama Viewpoint. 

The view from Shiroyama Viewpoint was stunning. :) It captures the entire view of the village. :)

We spent approximately 30 mins up there and took a shuttle bus down again.

Just in time for lunch at Nomura Soba! :D

It's always good to be early as Nomura soba closes when its soba sells out. :)

The operation hours: 11am - 4pm

Nomura Soba :)

The queue continued inside this modest soba shop.

We were seated separately due to space constraints. Anyway it's eat and go here.

Mom's soba with bean curd.

Our choice: Soba with quail egg and natto

I didn't know it was natto when I ordered it. I thought it was egg white??? I'm not a fan of natto and was actually squeamish eating it. *.*

Eating it with pickles helped! :)

Every angle at Shirakawago was picture worthy. ;)

Snowmen! :)

Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, close up. :)

Were the fishes freezing from the cold? :))) They were so still.

We snacked on beef croquette. :)

Verdict: Couldn't taste the beef. But because it was pipping hot, it was a great snack in such snowy weather. :)

Olaf wanted a bite! :D

Afternoon coffee or tea at Ochudo :)

Love how DIY the menu is. :) 

We could choose our own coffee or tea cups here! Take your pick! :D

Butter toast with red beans and citron tea. :)

Can't help falling in love with the toast. :)

Curry rice

What was brewing in those pots? :)

Homemade red bean soup! :D

Help yourselves to as much red bean soup as you want. :)

The dumplings are non-refillable though. :D

Help yourselves to ginko nuts too. 

To eat them was a hassle. You need to hammer them open and heat them over the stove before eating. :)))

Of course we gave up!

We ate quite a lot at Shirakawago. :))) 

Next stop? Dango stall. :)))

Mitsue was so happy eating them, I just gotta have a bite too!

Mitsue could really eat! :) While Lin, mom & Beanie rested, Mitsue & I continued munching away.  :)

Chestnut cakes. 

Not my cup of tea. :)

Couldn't eat anymore. :)))

Besides, it was time to head back to Takayama. :)

The bus stop where we first alighted. It's also the bus stop to board the bus back to Takayama. :)