This is dated way back into last year's December, where we travelled to Ainokura to stay in one of their traditional ryokan. This picture is an overview of Shirakawago, a fantastic place to be away from the hustle bustle of the city life.
![Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/159/1596393/japan-shirakawago-and-ainokura-village-L-Z5dvZD.jpeg)
Bookings usually need to be done way in advance so we couldn't get to stay in Shirakawago. It was purely luck that we managed to book a stay in Ainokura instead. Ainokura is the most remote village in the Gokayama region. We actually like it here because it was less crowded than Shirakawago.
![Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/159/1596393/japan-shirakawago-and-ainokura-village-L-X_77AH.jpeg)
![Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/159/1596393/japan-shirakawago-and-ainokura-village-L-pCf7OZ.jpeg)
![Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/159/1596393/japan-shirakawago-and-ainokura-village-L-ZzS2a8.jpeg)
A really homely and traditional way of eating the Japanese cuisine. We were seated together with another couple from Australia. We mingled a bit and Prawn took out his Sake to share with the guests.
![Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/159/1596393/japan-shirakawago-and-ainokura-village-L-SdLLdo.jpeg)
After a tiring night, we settled into our tatami bed and fell asleep. The tatami bed was warm and toasty as we were given heat bags.
![Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/159/1596393/japan-shirakawago-and-ainokura-village-L-7BEgQs.jpeg)
![Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/159/1596393/japan-shirakawago-and-ainokura-village-L-ls9TrF.jpeg)
![Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/159/1596393/japan-shirakawago-and-ainokura-village-L-IupRA9.jpeg)
![Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/159/1596393/japan-shirakawago-and-ainokura-village-L-7gRDEy.jpeg)
![Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village Japan: Shirakawago and Ainokura Village](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/159/1596393/japan-shirakawago-and-ainokura-village-L-wPvE9I.jpeg)
If you are here in Japan, book a stay with the traditional ryokans. I'm sure it won't disappoints.🙂