On November 23, 2025, the weather was sunny. Today I visited Shirakawa-go, a World Cultural Heritage site and the sacred land of "Higurashi When They Cry."

This is the second part, continuing the pilgrimage from the previous part.

If you haven't read the first part yet, it's recommended to read it first.

Shirakawa-go Storytellers

You can tell from the exterior decorations that this shop is not ordinary.

Because it has the richest collection of merchandise related to the works in Shirakawa-go.

In the end, I bought these souvenirs.

Fan Rest Area

This is a rest area that only allows entry if you have purchased souvenirs from the shop.

Inside, it's filled with decorations from the "Higurashi" series, truly a paradise for fans!

Myozenji Temple

It also appears to be under maintenance.

Sanrakudo

Rika Shrine (Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine)

Confirmed, there's nothing behind it.

Near Hisamatsu

Kanjiya

Deai-bashi Bridge

Now we need to cross the Sho River to the opposite bank.

You can see this suspension bridge bearing an undue burden.

Watanagashi Festival

In the work, the Watanagashi Festival was held on this river.

Gassho-zukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum

If you want to deeply understand the local customs, this is a good choice.

The waterwheel hut from the work is inside here.

Akiba Shrine

All the religious and cultural facilities I visited today seemed to be under maintenance.

I wonder if they are being reinforced for the upcoming snow season.

Conclusion

The scenery of Shirakawa-go is captivating. Looking back at the observation deck where I first ascended, the view I saw from there during the day has now become a journey I have personally walked. In terms of overall scale, Shirakawa-go is not very large; generally, it takes no more than 5 hours to visit all the main attractions.

Recalling the summer vacation of my junior high school days, I first encountered "Higurashi When They Cry" and was deeply shocked by its plot. That strong impression is still hard to forget even now. Years later, I actually stepped into Hinamizawa, the prototype of the work, walking through familiar scenes, feeling the seasons, the air, the sounds, and the real crowd. This experience brought both emotion and satisfaction. The scenes that once existed only on screen and in memory can now be presented as real scenery before my eyes, allowing me to truly feel the weight of time and growth.

This pilgrimage was not just a trip, but more like a reunion with my past self. I came with memories and left with new ones. Whether for the scenery, culture, or the sentiment of the work, this mountain village is worth a personal visit.