Discover Shirakawa-go, a charming village in Gifu Prefecture well-known for its traditional thatched-roof houses. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers stunning natural scenery and historic buildings.
Welcome to my blog! Today, I am delighted to share with you one of my favorite places that I have had the pleasure of visiting multiple times.
The best time to visit is during the light-up event from mid-January to mid-February, when the village is beautifully illuminated.
Tourist Attractions and Activities
Shirakawa-go, located in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture, is a picturesque village of traditional thatched-roof houses and is often referred to as the epitome of Japan’s natural scenery.
In 1976, it was designated as a Preservation District of Historic Buildings, recognizing the significance of the gassho-style architecture. In 1995, Shirakawa-go was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (cultural heritage), along with Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture.
Unexplored Region,but...
This unique region, with its steeply sloping thatched-roof houses, is home to several houses where people actually live.
It is one of Japan’s snowiest areas, with several meters of snowfall during the winter season. Decades ago, it was a remote location that was difficult to reach by car in the winter season, but with the completion of the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway Shirakawa-go Interchange, transportation has become more convenient.
The Best Time to Visit
Surrounded by stunning natural scenery and historic buildings, Shirakawa-go is a destination that can be enjoyed all year round.
However, the best time to visit is during the approximately one-month period from mid-January to mid-February, when the village hosts a weekly light-up event on Sundays (six times in 2023).
During this event, the traditional thatched-roof houses and surrounding trees are beautifully illuminated, creating a fantastic and otherworldly atmosphere.
Note:
Please note that participation in this event is by reservation only.
Access to the panoramic viewpoint deck overlooking the entire village and tours of the village will be announced on the official Shirakawa-go website as the season approaches.
Reservation methods tailored to various travel styles, such as day trips and overnight stays, will also be provided, so be sure to check them out.
Enchanting Shirakawa-go: Year-round Magic
Even if you can’t attend the light-up event, don’t worry, as Shirakawa-go is enchanting year-round.
Just imagine the sight of snow-covered houses with their unique gassho-style roofs, or the stunning view of the village from a hilltop vantage point. If you actually witness these scenes, they will surely become unforgettable memories.
Captivating Experiences
If you have enough time in your travel schedule, make sure to check out the experiential events offered at the TOYOTA Shirakawa-Go Echo-Institute. They provide interesting winter experiences such as guided tours where you can walk through soft new snowfields using snowshoes and poles.
Culture, History, and Traditions
The name ‘Shirakawa-go’ originally referred to the areas surrounding Shirakawa Village in Ono District, Gifu Prefecture, and the Shokawa-cho and Kiyomi-cho districts in Takayama City.
However, in modern times, it has come to specifically refer to the collection of gassho-style houses in the Ogi-machi district of Shirakawa Village.
While there are no written records of Shirakawa-go’s establishment, according to the historical book on Jodo Shinshu Buddhism called ‘Binkoki,’ a monk named Kanen Bouzen-shun visited the area during the Kamakura period and began spreading Jodo Shinshu Buddhist teachings during the Hoji era (1247-1249) of Emperor Go-Fukakusa (1243-1304), who was the 89th emperor of Japan. This information is only available in Japanese and is presented at Shoshinji Temple.
The gassho-style houses were developed during the Edo period (1603-1868) when the silk industry flourished and houses were enlarged to accommodate silk-worm breeding. If you are interested, be sure to visit the exhibition hall dedicated to silk-worm breeding, which is located in a small area of Shirakawa-go.
Dining Guide
Shirakawa-go is a small mountain village, but it has been designated as a World Heritage Site and with the increase in tourists, the number of restaurants and accommodation facilities has also increased.
Many restaurants offer traditional Japanese cuisine such as soba noodles, but many of them have limited operating hours only for lunch, so it is recommended to have breakfast and dinner at the accommodation.
Additionally, there are some accommodations such as Koemon that can provide vegetarian meals upon prior request.
Accommodation
There are two hotels, 21 gassho-style inns, and 19 other types of accommodations, and reservations can be made through the Shirakawa-go Tourist Association website.
Accommodation fees vary depending on the grade of the facility, but generally range from around 5,000 to 30,000 yen.
Transportation
There are three ways to reach Shirakawa-go: by train, bus, or car. However, it is advisable to take the train or bus due to heavy snowfall in the region during winter.
From Takayama City
If you are already in Takayama City, you can take a local bus to Shirakawa-go.
You can transfer to a local bus from Takayama Station, and it will take you about an hour to reach Shirakawa-go, with a fare of around 2,600 yen. There are also reservation-only buses, so check the website for more information and reservations.
Coming from Afar
By train
If you are traveling from Tokyo or Osaka, take the train to Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture, a nearby famous tourist destination.
You can reach Takayama City by taking the train from Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture, which is located to the south of Gifu Prefecture, or from Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture, which is located to the north of Gifu Prefecture.
You can access Nagoya City through the JR Tokaido Shinkansen or Toyama City through the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen, both of which connect to Tokyo.
By taking the JR Tokai Takayama Line on either route, you can reach Shirakawa-go in about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, with a fare of approximately 3,500 yen to 6,000 yen.
By bus
By car
During the winter season, it is not recommended to use a car. However, if you plan to use a car, please take the Hokuriku Expressway and Tokai Hokuriku Expressway and exit at the Shirakawa-go Interchange. There are public parking lots, such as “Seseragi Parking Lot,” that can accommodate up to 200 ordinary cars.
Budget and Transportation Tips
The Hida region, which includes Shirakawa-go, is located in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture. JR Tokai offers a great deal on tickets that include both train and bus fares for travelers visiting this area.
It’s important to note that this ticket cannot be used during peak periods, including the New Year holidays, and is limited to a period of three days. Despite these restrictions, the ticket is still a great bargain at around 12,500 yen per person, which includes train fares from Nagoya to Takayama and bus fares from Takayama to Shirakawa-go.
Additionally, the discount rate increases progressively for up to four people.
Please be aware that detailed information about this ticket is not available on the English website. To learn more, please use your browser’s translation function to view the Japanese website.
Weather Guide
In February, Shirakawa-go experiences the coldest season of the year, with an average temperature of -0.9 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature reaches approximately 3.5 degrees Celsius, while the lowest drops to around -5.2 degrees Celsius.
As one of the areas in Japan where snowfall is heaviest, it receives an average of 1.7 meters of snow, which can sometimes reach 3 meters in particularly snowy years.
If you plan to travel to Shirakawa-go, it’s essential to prepare warm clothing and select shoes that provide good traction and keep snow out of your ankles.
