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Exploring Forests with Professionals ~Nature and Activities in the Hida Region of Gifu~ Chapter 3 Gallery

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Exploring Forests with Professionals ~Nature and Activities in the Hida Region of Gifu~ Chapter 3 Gallery

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Yoshitsugu Tawa, a certified guide of Goshikigahara Forest, at 67 years old, possesses a surprising agility.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> A guide map near Deai-goya hut. Both the 'Kamoshika Course' circling waterfalls and streams, and the 'Shirabiso Course' connecting various ponds, take approximately 8 hours.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Deai-goya hut at an altitude of 1,400 meters.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The area around Deai-goya hut features a bright forest dominated by deciduous trees like beech and mizunara oak.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Nunobiki Falls, where water seeps from the forest and flows down the rock face.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Yokote Falls, with its abundant water flow.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The forest floor vegetation is remarkably diverse.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The stream water flowing through Goshikigahara Forest is exceptionally pure and clear.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Iwana-mi Hut, located beyond Wasabidaira Marsh. Altitude 1,600 meters.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The water trough at Iwana-mi Hut. It's delicious water, perfectly safe to drink.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The bento lunchbox was purchased from Hida Tomoe Hotel in Furukawa. It was a delicious meal, packed with seasonal ingredients.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Goshikigahara Forest is part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, an untouched wilderness spreading northwest of Mt. Norikura.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The Shirabe-zawa headwaters, near the highest point of Goshikigahara at 1,640 meters.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Descending for about 10 minutes, the stream's flow became faster and wider.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The numerous moss-covered rocks indicate a stable water flow and riverbed.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> 'Hida Satoyama Cycling,' with guides deeply familiar with the local area.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> A fleet of Louis Garneau bicycles. These bikes feature multi-speed gears and are very easy to ride.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Breaks are taken at various rest pavilions. Miso senbei are a famous local confection from Furukawa.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The benches in the pavilions feature 'kigumi' (wood joinery), emblematic of 'Hida no Takumi' (artisans of Hida).

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Mr. Taku Yamada, CEO of 'Churaboshi Inc.', which promotes local initiatives, standing before a traditional house. He is affectionately known as 'Taku-chan' by the locals.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The rice paddies in September had already been harvested.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> A 'yana' (fish weir) set up in the Miyagawa River, used to catch 'ochi-ayu' (downstream migrating ayu) heading to the sea during this season.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The staff of 'Churaboshi Inc.', who are advancing the 'Hida Satoyama Cycling' and 'Hida Mountain Village House Revitalization Project,' all gathered. Incidentally, Mr. Yamada's home is next to the office.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Those wishing to enjoy the Satoyama Cycling should aim for this sign.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> A traditional townhouse in Hida Furukawa. It's rare to find a townscape where elementary school students heading home from school appear so peaceful.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The 'degōshi' (lattice window covering) is another characteristic feature of Hida Furukawa's traditional townhouses.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Mr. Kimihiko Kaneko of 'Kaneko Komuten' (Kaneko Construction), explaining the features of the traditional townhouses.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The entrance hall has a very low ceiling, a characteristic of old traditional houses.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The earthen wall, repaired with a broken teacup. The teacup is a high-quality 'Shibukusa-yaki' from Hida Takayama. It's said that in the past, people competed in displaying such details.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> A wooden fence called 'Yoroikabe.' It requires skill and effort due to the angled cutting of the beams.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> In front of the 'Hida no Takumi Bunkakan' (Hida Artisans Culture Hall).

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Various trowels. There was also a tradition of decorating earthen walls with 'kote-e' (trowel art).

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> A model of Mr. Kimihiko Kaneko's home from 'Kaneko Komuten,' located on the first floor of the 'Hida no Takumi Bunkakan'.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> A traditional townhouse built with abundant, carefully selected materials. It is currently available for rent as a 'Satoyama Office'.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The tokonoma alcove features a single plank of 'ichii' (Japanese yew) wood, a very expensive material.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> A ceiling designed in a lattice pattern, with wood grain alternating.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> The staff of 'Yanagigumi Co., Ltd.', a long-established construction company in Hida Furukawa founded in 1907.

<strong>Exploring Forests with Professionals: Gifu Prefecture's Wellness Tourism</strong> Mr. Kimihiko Kaneko of 'Kaneko Komuten,' a modern-day 'Hida no Takumi' (artisan of Hida).

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Exploring Forests with Professionals: Nature and Activities in Gifu's Hida Region - Chapter 3 Gallery

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