Name: Japan: Shirakawa-go I
Brand: Gelato
SKU: e277cd66-e0ea-41f1-9f75-6b67f076d038
Price: 250.0 USD
Availability: InStock

It's hard to know where to start writing about Shirakawa-go, the remote moutain village that we visited during our trip. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, it's famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old.

Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer", as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. The style aims to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that fall in the region during winter. The snow slides off the steep roofs before it can crush them.

As I walked through this little town with 1,000 other tourists, I couldn't help but wonder how they didn't resent us—but then I started noticing the (literal) signs. No cars in various areas. The entire parking lot and access point closed to the outside world after 5pm. We were welcome, but only to a point. It was a lesson in boundaries. They didn't resent us because they knew where their line was between inviting us in and preserving themselves and their home.

I took enough pictures there to make a small book, and one day I just might. But this one stands out. I watched this Black Kite (the bird on the rooftop) circling for a few minutes before it settled here. It was the one moment that I really stopped and took a breath as we climbed the road to the highest point of the town on foot. When I looked back I was thrilled to see how well it all came together.

Shot at around 100mm, 1/125 seconds, f/8, ISO 100.

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Canvas (various sizes)

Canvas frames are made of FSC® certified wood or, when not available, PEFC or equivalent.

1.6 inch (4 cm) thick frame
Shipped in protective packaging and strong boxes to ensure no damage during transportation.
Mounting kit included.

Estimated domestic delivery 5-8 business days.

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Collectible Aluminum Prints (8"x12")

Crafted from two white aluminum layers and a black polyethylene compound core in between. Highly saturated colors.
Print is matte and glare-free, with a classic, subtle look.
Thickness: Approximately 3mm/0.12"
Hanging kit included.

Estimated domestic delivery 6-9 business days.

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Premium Semi-Gloss Posters (unframed, various sizes)

Heavy-weight (200 gsm/80 lb), premium semi-gloss paper for vibrant images.

Paper is FSC-certified or has equivalent certifications depending on regional availability—better for the people and the planet.
Paper sizes may vary slightly by region.
The 5x7" size is borderless. All other poster print sizes include a white border along the edges of the print.

Estimated domestic delivery 4-7 business days.

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Image cropping and stretching may vary a bit due to dimension differences among products. Thank you for understanding that all orders are printed to order and for that reason must be final.

Shipping & Returns

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Please allow ample time for shipping and understand that all purchases are final, as all items are made to order.

Estimated U.S. domestic delivery dates as specified above. Please reach out to us for international delivery estimates.

Import duties, taxes, and related charges are not included in the item price or any shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

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