• About Trudy
  • Contact
True Wind Healing Travel
Live & Travel Well for a Healing Journey...
  • Home
  • Destinations
  • Healing Travel
  • Wellness
  • Resources
  • Shop
  • 0
Tag:

japanesealps

    Shirakawa Village Japan
    Japan

    Picturesque Shirakawa Village Highlights During Sakura Season

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 13, 2025
    written by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac

    Nestled in the Japanese Alps, visiting Shirakawa Village is like stepping into a storybook. Approaching by road, I feel myself slipping into a dream. It no longer feels like the “Land of the Rising Sun.” Rather, it seems like somehow I mysteriously ended up in Switzerland. The snow-capped mountains overlap into the clear blue sky like a surreal painting to immerse my imagination in an alpine setting. Intrigued, I arrive to spend a day and discover the Shirakawa Japan highlights. Plus, I am there in April when the cherry blossoms are in bloom for Sakura Season.

    Shirakawa is surrounded by the Ryohaku Mountains in the Shogawa River valley. Moreover, it’s best known for its unique buildings called Gassho-zukuri. The design of these A-framed, thick-thatched roofs, manages snow, as this region is the snowiest area in Japan. Initially, I just inhale the fresh alpine air from the valley, surrounded by beautiful mountains. Then, calmly, I begin exploring this charming village, noticing pink cherry blossoms in full bloom, knowing this is going to be a splendid spring day.

    IMG_4122
    IMG_4002

    Firstly, from the Visitor’s Center, I cross the hanging bridge over the Shogawa River to the village. The main attraction here is the village itself and its harmonious setting, with the best way to explore being on foot, which is my favorite as an inquisitive peripatetic. Plus, the village is small and easy to explore, where I wander through the labyrinth of scenery, such as, unique buildings, gardens, colorful scarecrows, shops, shrines and cherry blossoms…

    Shirakawa Japan Highlights

    IMG_4051
    Gassho-zukuri

    Shirakawa-go is the largest concentration of Gassho-zukuri buildings in Japan used originally as farmhouses. There are over 110 houses with some being over 250 years old. Moreover, the A-framed thick straw roofs withstand the heavy snow of the region. Gassho-zukuri means ‘constructed like hands in prayer,’ as the farmhouses steep thatched roofs look like the hands of Buddhist monks in prayer. In addition, the A-framed roofs (made without nails) provided large attics used for cultivating silkworms.

    Even though most of the buildings have been converted to museums, I still enjoy the setting for its rich cultural experience to feel what it was like to live this unique lifestyle hundreds of years ago.

    IMG_4006
    IMG_4014

    Panoramic Viewpoint

    I inquisitively wander without much of a plan, except to just take it all in. The cherry blossoms are a beautiful accent to the rustic charm. But, the unfortunate reality is the touristy crowds (cannot complain because I’m one too). However, it’s vast enough to not feel overwhelmed by the crowds. Then, I take the 15-minute walk to the hilltop’s panoramic view, where the Shiroyama Tenbodai Castle was at one time.

    IMG_4066
    Overall Panoramic View

    From this vantage point, I see the cherry-blossom framed, snow-capped mountains and the picturesque village in the valley below, along the winding turquoise Shokawa River. Moreover, Mt Hakusan looms at the highest elevation of 2,172 meters, known as a sacred summit for centuries. Consequently, I easily imagine living here 200 years ago, as a farmer connected to the land and its surroundings living in harmony with Mother Earth.

    Then, I continue tirelessly wandering throughout this idyllic village with no agenda. Visitors rent the old farmhouses and offer extended stays to experience the essence of this valley, which is presumably more evident in the early morning and evenings with less tourist crowds. Finally, after 2 Matcha (green tea) ice cream cones and 4 hours of wandering, I meander back across the bridge leaving the village, feeling myself slowly transition out of this nostalgic dreamworld, back into the reality of modern Japan…taking with me a splendid memory of this unique Japanese heritage. Sayonara Shirakawa!


    Read More!
    MY LIFE-CHANGING CHERRY BLOSSOM TOURS IN JAPAN AND CORRESPONDENCES TO BUDDHISM
    A Healing Experience at Kagoshima’s Unique, Geothermal Sand Spas

    April 13, 2025 0 comments
    0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Load More Posts

About

About

Hello, Hola, Namaste, Ni hao, Ciao and Bonjour! My name is Trudy and I have been traveling like everyday is my last, over the last 10 years. I've visited 105 countries and still counting! As an Acupuncturist and traveler, I love sharing my experiences and tips on travel and wellness. Feel free to join below my community for coupons and latest travel guides.

Join my Community

Join True Wind Healing Travel to receive the latest wellness & travel guides.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Pinterest

@truewindhealingtravel

truewindtravel

Travel & Wellness Writer, Acupuncturist-at-Sea
🌎 100+ Countries & Counting
📹 YT: TrueWindHealingTravel
Travel/Wellness Content:

Largest fiddle in the world in Sydney, Nova Scotia Largest fiddle in the world in Sydney, Nova Scotia! 

#fiddle #musiclover #novascotia #canadatravel #instatravelling #cruiselife #musictravel
If ever there was a time to reconnect with America If ever there was a time to reconnect with American Democracy, it is NOW! Boston is the perfect place known as the "Cradle of Liberty," with many firsts for the USA.

I decided to unplug from the current political reality and celebrate the U.S. historical roots on Independence Day 2025! I visited many historic sites on Boston's Freedom Trail, listened to 2 readings of the Declaration of Independence, interacted with people in colonial costumes and parades. 

It was a bittersweet day with many tears and the realization that I have taken democracy for granted. However, I will never let that happen again! I feel more patriotic than ever to make sure the blood, sweat and tears over the last 249 years were not in vain. 

Here are the 19 historic sites on the Freedom Trail. For more details, check out my blog:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/boston-freedom-trail-sites/

#bostonsofinstagram #bostonfreedomtrail #democracy #americandemocracy #patriotism #americanhistory #bostonsbest #massachussets
The world-famous Gouda cheese is named after a cit The world-famous Gouda cheese is named after a city in the heart of the Dutch green lands. Imagine this, the city is just as delectable as the cheese. I am thrilled to share my Gouda Netherlands cheese tour highlights at the city and cheese farm. So, read on and discover reasons why Gouda is the ultimate foodie and cultural tour.

The city Gouda lies in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. It’s named after the Gouwe River that it surrounds. The city became known for the Gouda cheese traded in its market square. Furthermore, Gouda is famous for stroopwafels, grachten or canals, smoking pipes and its 15th century city hall. Originally, it was a marshland in the 13th century. Later, a canal was built and its estuary became a harbor. 

Pictures:
Gouda City Hall in Cheese Market Square
Waag (Weigh House)
St. John's Church - known for 72 stained glass windows

To learn more, check out my blog:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/gouda-netherlands-cheese-tour/

#gouda #goudacheese #netherlands #foodiesofinstagram #foodie #europetravels #holland #cheeselover #foodstagram #travelingram #travelblog
On the Vracar plateau, the Church of Saint Sava is On the Vracar plateau, the Church of Saint Sava is the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans and second largest in the world. Saint Sava is the founder of the Serbian Orthodox church. The church’s construction lasted from 1935 to 1989. It became delayed by WW II and the Yugoslavian communism, that didn’t allow for building churches. 

Shaped like a Greek Cross, the facade consists of white marble and granite in a Neo-Byzantine style. Its dome is one of the largest in the world. The mosaics are spectacular, with the central mosaic in the dome depicting the Ascension of Jesus.

To learn more about Belgrade, check out my blog:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/belgrade-serbia-top-attractions-in-2-days/

#belgrade #serbia #serbiatourism #churchesofinstagram #templeofsaintsava #balkans #europetravels #easterneurope #belgradephoto #belgradeserbia #travelblogger #wanderlust
Just 15 minutes from Mostar is the Blagaj Dervish Just 15 minutes from Mostar is the Blagaj Dervish Monastery. It sits at the source of the Buna River which flows out of a cave beneath a canyon wall. The beautiful tekke (lodge) displays Ottoman Sufi architecture from the 15th century. 

The white building reflects on the turquoise river. Inside you’ll find a small mosque, guest rooms and mausoleums. Dervishes of the Sufi orders stayed here for spiritual retreats over the centuries. Today, it is open for tourist of all faiths to learn about this sacred site and the Sufi tradition. 

We explored the riverside and view of Blagaj from across the river. Also, with our shoes off, we enjoyed an indoor tour of the monastery. 

To learn more about Mostar, check out my blog:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/mostar-tour-highlights/

#blagaj #dervish #monastery #mostar #bosniaandherzegovina #balkans #instatravelling #i̇nstatravel #easterneurope #europetravel #bosnia #traveladdict #retreat #wanderlust #solotraveling
Follow on Instagram

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Flickr
  • Youtube
Footer Logo

© 2025 True Wind Healing Travel / All Rights Reserved

True Wind Healing Travel
  • Home
  • Destinations
  • Healing Travel
  • Wellness
  • Resources
  • Shop

Shopping Cart

Close

No products in the cart.

Close