Shirakawago: A Village Straight-out from Folktale

UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawago is a historical village located in Gifu Prefecture. It is an area renowned for its preservation of rare straw huts called Gassho Zukuri. Aside from that, the panoramic view of the mountains surrounding the village is a wonder to behold especially in winter.

Table of Contents

• Background of Shirakawago
• Beauty of Shirakawago: Main Attractions
• Shirakawago's Local Specialties
• Best Time to Visit Shirakawago and How to Get There
• Summary

Background of Shirakawago

Japan is no stranger to world-renowned tourist attractions and destinations. The lovely village of Shirakawago is one of the top tourist targets on the list. This UNESCO World Heritage Site takes you on a trip to a village straight out from a fairytale.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Did you know that Shirakawago is only one part of a whole UNESCO Site? 

The entire site actually consists of 2 regions with 3 separate villages:

• Shirakawago Region containing Ogimachi 

• Gokayama Region containing Ainokura and Suganama

Culture and History

Located in mountainous regions with intense snowfalls, Shirakawago comprises several Gassho Zukuri (合掌造り) farmhouses with steeply pitched timbered roofs built around the 1800s. Artifacts from between 7000 B.C. and 2300 B.C. are the oldest signs of human existence in the village. The village seemed to be mostly self-subsisting on mulberry tree farming and silkworm breeding. 

※ UNESCO World Heritage Centre, "Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama"
※ Shirakawa Village Official Website, "What Kind of Place Is Shirakawa-go?"

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Beauty of Shirakawago: Main Attractions 

Deep in the mountains of Gifu lies Shirakawago, a village of a time long gone. Witness for yourself the shadows of the past when this place was home to a life so different from ours. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery, dine on traditional cuisine, and more. 

Main Attractions

Deai Bridge

A bridge hanging over Sho River that leads visitors to Ogimachi, you are sure to make your way across. Many visitors stop briefly to take photos and selfies for its amazing view. It is frequently praised for being a great start to the exploration of Shirakawago. 

Shiroyama Viewpoint

Shiroyama Viewpoint, also known as the Tenshukaku Observatory, is located at Shiroyama Castle that shows you the landscape of the whole Shirakawago. It offers a stunning view, especially of the famous homes that were built in the distinctive architectural style known in Japan as Gassho-style, as well as the surrounding farmland and mountains. 

No matter the season - spring, summer, autumn or winter, the vantage point offers a marvellous panoramic view of the mountainscape and the small village nestled in its river valley. Choose your favourite season to visit, or witness all four to cover the whole package.

※ Shirakawa Village Official Website, "Tenshukaku (castle keep) Observatory"
※ Gifu Prefecture Tourism Federation, "Shirakawa-go: A lesson on connection and the meaning of ‘yui’"

Wada House

Wada House is the largest gassho-style house in Ogimachi. The well-preserved Gassho-zukuri allows tourists to take a look into the daily lives of the Wada family through the displayed artifacts. The house was constructed during the Edo Period (1603–1868) and is listed on the National Register of Important Cultural Properties. 

Entrance Fee: 300 yen (Adult)

※ Shirakawa Village, "Wada House"

Gassho Zukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum

Gassho Zukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum is an open-air museum exhibiting a number of Gassho Zukuri and other buildings including a horse stable, watermill, shrine and temple hall. These buildings were carefully relocated and preserved in their original form. Learn about Shirakawago’s history as you admire the serenity of an ancient Japanese village surrounded by nature. Remember to partake in the available refreshments as well. 

Entrance Fee: 600 yen (Adult)

※ Gasshou Zukuri Minkaen

Winter Village Shirakawago 

Shirakawago is beautiful no matter the season, but undeniably its beauty peaks in winter when the village including the Gassho Zukuri are covered with a thick blanket of snow. To make things even better, the village is lit up in the evening. Pristine white snow reflecting lights, it is the perfect picture of a snowy winter landscape capturing the hearts of all whose eyes lay upon it. And it’s definitely one of the more famous images of Shirakawago that many people brave the cold for. Just make sure to book your trip and lodgings early as it’s especially popular in this season.

Shirakawago’s Local Specialties 

An experience of Shirakawago isn’t just limited to the history and sights of the village, there’s local foods and products as well! Here are some things to spot on your trip. 

Handicrafts

Tsumami-zaiku

Shirakawa Village has traditional handicraft works like maple weaving and tsumami-zaiku that date back to the Edo Period. Purchase some adorable handmade accessories as a souvenir or a gift to family and friends. 

Sarubobo

The village of Shirakawa has a doll tradition called "Sarubobo," which came from the words "saru," meaning "monkey," and "bobo," meaning "baby"; in short, baby monkey. As the mascot of the Hida Region, you can see these tiny dolls that vary in colors in the windows of the shops inside the village. Traditionally, women have fashioned Sarubobo dolls for their daughters as charms that bless joyful matrimony and smooth births.

Food

Soba

The village's homemade soba is milled and boiled on the spot, which is best in cold weather. The usage of pure mountain water also makes a great improvement to the taste and texture.

Hida Beef

Wagyu beef from the Hida region is also available at Shirakawago. Also available in croquette form called Hida-gyu korokke.

Hoba Miso

A traditional meal filled with mixed vegetables, meat and sweet miso. It's placed on a dried hoba leaf and roasted on a fire.

Suttate Nabe

A local cuisine made with miso and soy sauce-based stock, incorporating ground soybeans where Hida beef, vegetables, and cloud ear mushrooms are also provided as ingredients.

Ishi Tofu

In Shirakawa-go, their tofu is made with twice as many soybeans as regular tofu. This tofu is dense and filling, and it’s best served when soaked in wasabi soy sauce.

Gohei Mochi

Known as Gohei Dango, is a delectable snack made of crushed rice coated with miso paste, placed in skewers and grilled.

※ Shirakawa-go Tourist Info, “Shirakawa-go’s Souvenirs & Specialty Products”

Best time to Visit Shirakawago and How to Get There

Four Seasons

Not sure which season to visit for your first time? Here’s the breakdown of what to expect in each season:

※ Shirakawa-go Tourist Information, “Event Calendar”

Village Rules

Smoking is strictly prohibited. Understandable considering the majority if not all of the attractions are easily flammable. 

Getting to Shirakawago

From Tokyo

Shirakawago is accessible through Toyama, Shin-Takaoka, and Kanazawa. 

The fastest route is through Toyama on board the Hokuriku Shinkansen (approx. 2-hrs) to Toyama Station. At the station, switch to a bus heading to Shirakawago (approx. 1.5-hrs). A one-way trip would cost around 15,000 yen. 

From Nagoya

Alternatively, you can visit Nagoya and take a side trip to Shirakawago.

At Nagoya Station, take the bus heading to Shirakawago. The ride should be about 3-hrs long. 

※ Shirakawa Village Official Website, "How to get to Shirakawago"

Summary

Add Shirakawago to your bucket list of places to visit in Japan. Not just a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also a feast for the eyes and an experience with nature. Moreover, it makes for a wonderful half-day or day trip when visiting Gifu or dropping by when visiting Nagoya.

For other things to do around the area, check out these tags: 
#Gifu Prefecture #Nagoya