Shirakawa-go

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Shirakawa-go is a village lying to a bit west of the heart of Japan. Separated from the ever-changing hectic world by mountains, it remains what it was about two centuries ago, with a fairytale-like landscape made up by rice paddies, pine forests, and Gassho-style houses with steeply-sloped thatched roofs invented to adapt to snow weathers. It has a beauty like no other in each season, but the most splendid is found in winter, when all in sight are blanketed with snow. For the local unique lifestyle, Shirakawa-go has been UNESCO-preserved.

The village is tranquil most of the time, but the Winter Light-Up Festival would see it overcrowded with tourists. Many houses in the village are still inhabited, among souvenir stores, eateries, inns, and guesthouses where travelers can take an onsen or hot spring bath. There is also a museum to learn about Shirakawa-go’s history. Fans of the Japanese anime Higurashi: When They Cry will be excited to find a familiar landscape, which its Hinamizawa Village is modelled after.

Quick Takeaways

Shirakawa-go is famous for the Gassho-style houses, known for their steep-angled thatched roofs, which can prevent snow from piling up on and crushing them.

There are two observatories to have a panoramic view of Shirakawa-go, namely Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observation Deck and Tenshukaku Observatory.

The Winter Light-Up Festival in 2024 would be the 38th to be held.

A panorama of Shirakawa-go in winter

The Iconic Gassho-style Houses

As Shirakawa-go is situated in a region where to encounter the heaviest snowfall in Japan, local farmers have invented a unique architecture, called “Gassho”, for their houses that helps them survive winter. Viewed from sides, the roof design resembles two hands with fingertips joining together, which reminds people of the Buddhist gesture for prayer. The angle between the two “hands” are steep enough to let piled snow slide off and thus prevent themselves from collapse. The wisdom of ancestors is also revealed in the south or north direction most of the houses faces, which reduces the impact of wind and lets more sunlight in during winter. More surprisingly, such houses were built without a single nail.

What makes these Gassho-style houses so special also include the top floors serving as the place to raise silkworms, which greatly contributed to the local economy during the Edo (1603 - 1868) and early Showa (1926 - 1989) periods. Making use of the risen hot air from the ground floor in winter, they provided a warmer space for those silk producers to grow.

Closer view of Shirakawa-go

The attire of Gassho-style house

There are now over a hundred of surviving Gassho-style houses, a few of which have converted to museums. It’s suggested travelers purchase tickets to visit some and be surprised by the curious old furnishings exhibited inside. Don’t miss Wada House, the largest Gassho-style house here, with distinctive features telling the family’s wealth and social class.

Opening hours of the museums: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission fee of the museums: 300 – 400 yen.

Observatories for a Bird-Eye View

There are two observatories for tourists to have a panoramic view of Shirakawa: Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observation Deck and Tenshukaku Observatory. The former offers a closer view of the village, while the latter is where to find a more sweeping view of the landscape around.

On the Tenshukaku Observatory

Shirakawa-go seen from Tenshukaku

Note:

The Ogimachi Observation Deck is public but becomes reservation-only during the Winter Light-Up Festival. Although you can climb Tenshukaku Observatory for free, but the staffs running it would kindly charge you for some fee to support them.

In case of heavy snowfall, the two would be closed to ensure travelers’ safety.

Visitors can take a bus (10 minutes) in front of Wada House or walk to the site (20 - 30 minutes).

A Lit Wonderland for Winter Light-Up Festival

Because of the special regional climate, the snow that falls from December to March in Shirakawa-go can sometimes pile up to 4.5 meters (14.8 feet) deep, carpeting the roofs and roadsides and giving a surreal feel to the entire village. It enjoys an even more otherworldly vibe when houses are illuminated during Winter Light Up Festival. The warm light, filtering through windows and reflected by the white snow, would make everyone’s imagination run wild.

2024 will mark the 38th year to hold the Light Up Festival. The village is scheduled to be lit six times next year from 17:30 to 19:30 on January 14th, 21th, and 28th, as well as on February 4th, 12th, and 18th.

Note:

During the festival, travelers are required to reserve and purchase a ticket (1,000 yen/per ticket) in advance to enter the village. Reservation of Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observation Deck at these times are only available to those staying overnight at local lodgings and joining bus tours. You can consult Shirakawa-go Tourist Association for more information.

To prevent overcrowding during the festival, travelers are not allowed to use camera tripods on the Observation Deck.

Torii gate to a local shrine

A sovenir stand selling fascinating photos of Shirakawa-go

Know Before Going

Admission: Shirakawa-go can be visited all year round for free, except occasions for visiting houses and joining Light-Up Festival, which have been mentioned.
Time needed: 2 – 3 hours.

Tips:

As the coin lockers at the Shirakawa-go bus station are always occupied, it’s suggested you leave your baggage in the storage building behind the station.

Remember to take plastic bags or whatever that can collect your trash, as there is no trash can to be found in the village.

For smokers, you might want to take e-cigarettes that don’t involve fire, to protect Gassho wooden houses from any potential factors that may cause fire.

As the village is still inhabited, please don’t trespass on private houses and gardens or disturb the residents with too much curiosity.

How to Get There?

However remote Shirakawa-go is, it can be easily approached from Nagoya, Takayama, and Kanazawa, the latter two being the nearest popular city portals.

A map to locate Shirakawa-go

From Nagoya:

Nagoya’s Meitetsu Bus Center is directly connected with Shirakawa-go by Gifu Bus (about 3 hours, 3,400 – 4,200 yen). This would be the most convenient way if you’ve included Nagoya in your travel itinerary.

Or, you can transfer to Takayama from Nagoya and then take Nohi Bus to Shirakawa-go, but it’d be unnecessary unless you want to explore Takayama.

Inside Shirakawa-go Bus Station

Gifu Bus arriving at Shirakawa-go

From Kanazawa:

Kanazawa is directly linked with Tokyo by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train (about 2.5 hours, 14,000 yen). While in Kanazawa, take Nohi Bus from Kanazawa Station to Shirakawa-go (85 minutes, 2,600 yen).

Tip:
Generally travelers would go there by bus, but renting a car from nearby cities for a self-driving tour is also a nice alternative.