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Few know that this poetic ancient village, recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site, is where the author Fujiko F. Fujio penned the first Doraemon volumes.
The adorable robot cat, Doraemon, has long been more than just a comic book character but also a beloved friend to generations, even after its abrupt end in 1996 following the sudden departure of the artist Fujiko F. Fujio. Over the years, the 'little cat' has become a legend and an icon of Japanese culture.
Having read the stories for many years since childhood, have you ever wondered where Doraemon's hometown is? This information has never been mentioned, but there is still a place in the land of the Rising Sun that everyone considers to be 'Doraemon's hometown', and it's not the glamorous Tokyo but a small village in Gifu prefecture called Shirakawa-go. The reason is that it was in this peaceful, beautiful ancient village that Fujiko F. Fujio conceived the idea and wrote the first Doraemon stories.
Shirakawa-go, meaning 'white threading aroma', translates to 'village of the white river', is one of the oldest villages in Japan. Nestled in the valley, in winter, the farmhouses here are covered in snow, creating a fairytale-like scene. Currently, the village still preserves over 100 traditional Gasshō-zukuri-style houses with roofs designed to easily shed snow, covering everything in white.
With its rich historical and scenic values, in 1995, the birthplace of the robot cat Doraemon was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site.
Shirakawa-go, the village of dreams.
Artist Fujiko F. Fujio crafted the childhoods of millions within a cozy home like this.
However, Shirakawa-go's beauty isn't just breathtaking in the cold winter. Come spring and summer, it boasts a vibrant landscape, immersed in the fresh greenery of grass, trees, and flowers. As autumn arrives, the scenery turns romantic as the leaves begin to transition to red. It's no wonder Shirakawa-go has been one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations for years.
Source: Kyuhoshi
