CULTURAL CONNECTION

Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO world heritage site, is famous for their traditional “gassho-zukuri” style farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Gasshozukuri means “constructed like hands in prayer,” and is aptly named as the farmhouses’ steep thatched roofs resemble two hands pressed together. The architectural style was developed over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amounts of snowfall the region is prone to during the winter. The roofs provide a large attic space used for storing grains, vegetables and cultivating silkworms. Hida Takayama is a city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture and has retained a traditional touch of a historical Japanese town, especially in its beautifully preserved “old town.” The area has been beautifully preserved, with buildings and even entire streets of houses still standing. These structures date back to the Edo Period (1600-1868), when the city thrived as a wealthy merchant town. Kanazawa city grew to become a town of great cultural achievement, rivaling Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) during the Edo Period. From 1583 to the end of the Edo Period, Kanazawa Castle was the seat of the powerful Maeda Clan, ranking second to the Tokugawa Shogunate in terms of size, wealth and power. The castle burned down several times over the centuries, and the most recent fire of 1881 left only two storehouses and the Ishikawa-mon Gate standing. During World War II, Kanazawa was fortunate enough to escape destruction by air raids. Parts of the old castle town, such as the Nagamachi Samurai and Higashi Chaya Districts, have survived in impressive condition. Today, Kanazawa remains an important city in its region and serves as the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. The city boasts many historical attractions, restored residences and districts. Kanazawa’s main attraction is the Kenrokuen Garden, which used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and is considered as one of Japan’s “three best landscaped gardens,” regarded by many as the most beautiful of them all.

COST BY AGE GROUP:

$500 (6 & Up) Twin Occupancy $485 (6 & Up) Triple Occupancy $475 (6 & Up) *Fourth Occupancy *(One Room 1st Night + Two Twin Rooms 2nd Night) $120 (3–5) Seat Only/No Bed, No Meals $120 (2 & Under if a seat is needed; No Bed, No Meals) $55 Additional Single Occupancy

*Club Member Discount does not apply for Overnight Tours.

ITINERARY:

Depart: 6 a.m. on 11 Nov Return: 8:30 p.m. on 13 Nov For updates on all things ITT, visit /YokotaITT.

Coming soon!

Sign ups for November tours begin Saturday, 8 October at 10 a.m. Shiraito Falls & Mt Fuji with Buffet, Shosenkyo Gorge, Thanksgiving Brunch at the New Sanno, Enoshima Island, Ushiku Great Buddha, Mishima Skywalk and Odawara Castle and more!

*4 Day Kyoto & 3 Day Hiroshima tours are on sale now!

For detailed information on ITT’s upcoming tours, visit YokotaFSS.com/ITT.

227-7083 • Bldg. 327

21HORIZONS OCTOBER 2022