So I recently went to Kokiriko Festival in the fall, I really enjoyed historically significant dances and music the traditional village put on display. I could hear numerous bands and numerous groups all playing music rich in culture and history. I really recommend reading that report along with this one if at all possible. I had not yet visited the actual village
that is so famous in the Toyama area though. After having went on this trip to the village and taking a beautiful cruise on the near by river I have come full circle, into a beautiful appreciation of the back in time community and the scenery encircling it.
So the only difficult part of this particular voyage is actually getting there. It will be easy to get to Gokayama, from Takaoka station there are shuttle buses available daily. I highly recommend calling the Newly constructed Takaoka Visitor Center. They have English staff on hand to help plan your expenditure out to the traditional village. The other place will be slightly more difficult. The name is ShōGawaKyō Yūran-Sen (庄川峡遊覧船). I do believe there will be a shuttle or community bus from Tonami Station. I really want to recommend talking at the visitors center for this one as well. It is super beautiful, super secluded, and one of the most scenic boat rides you can take. I just have to recommend detailing your plans before you go.
Gokayama is basically a city from way back in the day kept in perfect condition and stays super close to it's roots. I walked around the village and just could not help how immaculate the place is. There was also a lot of snow. The only modern thing I really saw was the snow blowers. The snow get shoulder height at points in the winter. It was waist deep when I was there. The place gets buried in the winter. In conjunction with the tall grass houses I dare say it looked magical. We can see examples of the houses in and about Toyama but this is the real deal community of houses so unless you see this
you really can't have the true image of the community. It was a great atmosphere and
I seriously question if there is any beauty left at all in modern cities, based on functions and not beauty. Gokayama is beautiful!
I was so excited to have the opportunity to get to enter one of these massive houses.
We entered a house converted to an accommodation, with one of its traditional rooms still fully intact. Firstly these houses are spacious inside, like echo spacious. It is so backwards to modern japanese houses and apartments. These things were built for big farm families! There were also skis located in the entranceway which is fitting with all the mountains and snow the area has. I wish I could do that! So I entered the tatami room and there was not
a fireplace. There was a fire pit in the middle of the floor, yes an open fire in the middle of the room. Close by there was a bear rug the man of the house had hunted down. There was also a soup pot over the fire, and pictures of his beautiful family, and a mini sized replica he made of his house that looked like twenty years of labor had been put in. I was in full awareness this was a country mountain man. I was totally inspired to become
a rugged mountain man. The house doubled as a noodle and other typical japanese foods. You will come here for the atmosphere and to enter one of the beautiful homes. There are various houses converted into gift shops as well take your time me enjoy this village, it is really one of a kind.
Ok get yourself to the docking port for this boat ride on the Shōugawa River, you will spend time getting here. Don't sweat it along with the boat ride the scenery on the drive or bus ride is also spectacular. It is full of twists, turns, and mountain peaks. The water of
the river is clean and seemingly untouched. I do not care what season you go, what weather you go, this boat ride while playing Gokayama traditional music will amaze you with it's beauty. The boat ride is about 4000 yen and takes you for about an hour journey to
a beautiful onsen on the river. There is absolutely not a thing around but nature and calm. I hope the pictures accurately portray just how calm and serene the area is. Traditional music will play as you float down the river. The boat is also a luxury cruise. There is
an indoor area with comfortable seats modern and clean. Also you can sit atop the boat and enjoy open air. The staff was awesome too, so friendly. It only felt a little strange as they played sort of sad music at the end of the boat ride. It did in fact make me feel the trip was over. I really love these trips back in time to beautiful landscapes that make me in turn, lose track of the time. Gokayama people go to Gokayama.