Shirakawa-go

[lavendula]

Anyone have a delicious lunch recommendation in Shirakawa-go?

It would need to be able to accommodate myself (vegetarian - no meat or fish, dashi broth okay) and my husband who eats meat and fish.

I hear this area has great soba?

[Silverjay]

Are you just passing through for a couple hours on the bus between Takayama and some place like Kanazawa? There are a bunch of soba shops around the village near the bus stop area. Most of them are small family run places that take on the "ye olde soba shoppe" motif. Some places also serve Hida beef dishes.

[lavendula]

Yes, just passing on through to check it out! Someone suggested to try either Yamamotoya or Irori. Is it hard to find these restaurants by foot?

[Uncle Yabai]

Shouldn't be too hard. It is a very small town, and everything is pretty much clustered in an area with walking distance.

[Silverjay]

I don't know those places. Irori? That's the name of the restaurant? That refers to a Japanese style open hearth that, probably, many of the minshuku inns in the village have as part of their dining rooms.

It truly is a small village and from where the bus stop is, you can walk around. I don't think anything would be too hard to find. I think the bus stop office has some information in English as well.

[Uncle Yabai]

Yes, that's the name of the place. It is a small place in the middle of town, in one of the gassho-zukuri houses. Didn't eat there, but looked attractive.

[lavendula]

Does anyone know if the train station has lockers for large luggage? We have 2 big pieces and 2 small ones. Thanks!

[Silverjay]

There is no train in that part of the country. There's a very small bus station.