SHIRAKAWA-GO
TOYOTA Shirakawa-go Eco-Institute
Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway
Tosuke no YuFujiya
Shirakawa-go IC
Hakusan Shirakawa-goWhite Road
Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway
Sho River
200  m
3  min
Jin Homura Museum of Art
Genki na Yasaikan
Magoemon
Kondo Market
Shirakawa-go no Yu
Shirakawa-go Roadside Station
Honkaku-ji Temple
Deai Bridge
Nagase House
Kanda House
Doburoku FestivalMuseum
Akiba Shrine
Jiba Studio Gallery
HinaShirakawa-go(Bus Terminal)
Bunsuke
Shiroyama Viewpoint
Wada HouseShirakawa-goWinterIllumination
Shirakawa-goWinterIllumination
Ochudo
Myozen-ji Temple and MuseumHisamatsu
Kita no Sho
Gassho-zukuri Open-Air Museum
Nomura
HatogayaHatogaya
OgimachiOgimachi
Gensaku
Shirakawa-go IC
Hatogaya Hachiman Shrine( Festival)Doburoku
Iijima HachimanShrine (  Festival)Doburoku
Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine( Festival)Doburoku
1 Doburoku Festival In mid-October, the Do-buroku  Festival is held in Shirakawa-go so that the locals can pray to the gods for a bountiful harvest, safety for their families, and the peace of the village. It takes place at three Shinto shrines in Shirakawa-go (one per day, however, as the venue rotates between the three), where the traditional shishi-mai  lion dance is per-formed, folk tales are sung, and doburoku (see next page for description) is presented both as an offering to the gods and to visitors in attendance! Doburoku is specially brewed for this event, the likes of which are not seen elsewhere in Japan.
http://shirakawa-go.org/kankou/guide/487/(JPN)
http://ml.shirakawa-go.org/en/
Detailed MAP▶ http://shirakawa-go.gr.jp/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/map-4.pdf
GETTING HERE
Meitetsu Bus Center (Nagoya) → [Gifu Bus on the Shirakawa-go Express Line・2 hr 30min・¥3,900・reservations required] → “Shirakawa-go” bus stop
〜 Or 〜Takayama Nohi Bus Center → [Nohi Bus on the Shirakawa-go/Kanazawa Line・50 min・¥2,470] → “Shirakawa-go” bus stop
The isolated countryside area of Shirakawa-go is nestled in a mountainous region that is among the few in Japan to see extremely heavy snowfall. This snowfall – sometimes accumulating up to two meters – has shaped the architecture, culture, and history of the village, as well as its traditions that continue to this day. One of the most distinct products of this long interaction with snow is the gassho-zukuri-style thatched roof house that one finds in the village of Ogima-chi, the heart of Shirakawa-go. Over 100 such houses remain in the village, and many locals still make their homes in these houses, as people did more than 300 years ago. It is because of these splendid houses that Shirakawa-go was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can even stay overnight in some of these houses that are now being used as inns. People say that Shirakawa-go is a place right out of a fairy tale book, and this is true no matter the season, though it may be especially applicable to the village’s almost mystical wintertime landscape.
World Heritage Site: The Timeless Village of Shirakawa-go  A
   Recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1995, Shirakawa-go and its brother Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture were highly praised for preserving rare and yet essential elements of traditional Japanese culture. The gassho -zukuri -style thatched roof houses were an important element, but so was the entirety of the traditional countryside scenery among which the houses stand. The inter-play between the houses and the landscape - from the rice paddies to the footpaths run-ning between them - is the true appeal of Shirakawa-go.   There are also elements of the culture (including the architecture) of Shirakawa-go that are unique to heavy snowfall regions, and so the preservation of this snow culture is another of the village’s many charms. The word gassho means “join-ing one’s hands together in prayer,” and so it is the shape that this image brings to mind - and its resemblance to the shape of the steeply inclined thatched roofs - that inspired the term gassho-zukuri (zukuri means “construction”).   One important reason why these old houses have sur-vived to the present day is the system known as yui in which the villagers help each other re-thatch the roofs. The re-thatching process is a daunting task, but with the help of hundreds of other villagers, one’s roof can be redone in a relatively short time. Working together for the sake of others has fostered greater friendship and closer relationships between the village residents, another reason why the tradition of yui continues to be embraced. This cooperative spirit is represen-tative of the Shirakawa-go philosophy and is another important reason why the village was honored with World Heritage status.
MAIN FEATURE
[SHIRAKAWA-GO]:THE ESSENTIALS
Doburoku is an unrefined sake in which the mash is not completely filtered out, leaving a very pulpy tex-ture. It once was made using millet, but nowadays it is prepared using rice and is fermented in the brew-eries of shrines in Shirakawa-go throughout the month of January. Sake brewing is something that you will not find at shrines virtually anywhere else, so this tradition is another unique element of the village.
2If you want to get your hands on some doburoku , visit the Kondo Market 226 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, O n o - g u n  9 am ~ 6 pm 
05769-6-1041
DoburokuSPECIALTY PRODUCT
Junmai Nama Shirakawa-go Doburoku (600 ml)・Miwa Brewery・Keep refrigerated
Peak Viewing Season
Mid 〜 late AprilLate October 〜    mid-November
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❺ Gassho-zukuri Open-Air Museum 野外博物館  合掌造り民家園
❹ Jin Homura Museum of Art 焔仁美術館
❶ Wada House 和田家
❸ Shiroyama Viewpoint 城山天守閣展望台
❷ Shirakawa-go Winter Illumination 白川郷ライトアップ
Perhaps one of the most well-known events in Gifu Prefecture is the illumination of Shirakawa-go that takes place during seven select days in January and February every year (the dates change, so please consult the below link or other websites for more details). Of course, during this winter period, the town of Ogimachi is covered with a thick blanket of snow, which makes the area glisten under the illumi-nating lights. The image of the magnificent thatched roofs covered with snow above the dimly lit win-dows of the houses is one of the prides of Gifu, and an incredible number of visitors make their way here to see this very sight! Note that there is no public transportation available out of Shirakawa-go after the illumination start time, so be sure to either book accommodations in or nearby the village or reserve a taxi to take you back to Takayama or elsewhere. Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun  05769-6-1013 (Shirakawa-go Tourist Association) http://lightup.asia/?lang=en
Located just across the river from the heart of Ogima-chi is this Open-Air Museum, which showcases the traditional way of life that people enjoyed in the past. Featuring 25 gassho-zukuri  thatched roof houses, some of which have been moved and reassembled here for preservation purposes, the museum is a great place to explore before or after visiting the heart of the village itself. From soba noodles to straw crafts to ta-ketonbo, a propeller-like toy made of bamboo that flies when you spin it between your palms, you can make all sorts of items that are representative of the old lifestyle of the area (additional fees apply for each hands-on activity). 2499 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 8:40 am ~ 5 pm (December ~ February: 9am ~ 4pm) ¥600 (Primary and sec-ondary school students: ¥400) None (December ~ March: Thursday) “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [20-minute walk] 05769-6-1231  http://www.shirakawago-minkaen.jp/english/admin/
A famous painter in Japan, Jin Homura has produced one original work of art after another, some of which were cre-ated in his workshop here in Shirakawa-go. In addition to the workshop, he also established this museum, where many of his works are displayed. The sight of vividly colored paintings adorning the interior of a gassho-zukuri house is quite a rare one, making the Jin Homura Museum of Art a unique, and a uniquely Shirakawa-go, destination. 2483 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 9 am ~ 4 pm 
¥300 (Students of high school age or older: ¥200, Middle and elementary school students: ¥100) Wednesday 
“Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [15-minute walk] 05769-6-1967 http://www.hidatakayama.ne.jp/j-homura/(JPN)
The only gassho-zukuri house in Shirakawa-go that has been designated an Important Cultural Prop-erty by the Japanese government, the Wada House is also among the oldest and largest in town. Built over 300 years ago, this grand house has been passed down generation after generation through the Wada family. In the past, the village leaders/checkpoint officials who oversaw traffic through the region used to come from this family line and therefore lived in this house, imbuing it with a sense of histori-cal importance to add to its already significant physical grandeur. The house is large enough that, while the greater part of it is used as a museum, the remaining portion serves as the home for this genera-tion’s Wada family. As with other thatched roof houses in the village, the Wada House was also a place where gunpowder was made and silkworms were cultured. In fact, you can actually see the process of silkworm breeding in person, as they still culture real silkworms in the Wada House during the summer. In the museum, you can look at old tableware, tools used for silkworm breeding, and other artifacts that have been passed down through the generations. 997 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 
9 am ~ 5 pm ¥300 (Elementary school students: ¥150) “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [3-minute walk] 05769-6-1058
While the thatched roof houses of Shirakawa-go are of course magnificent up close, taking a step back and taking in the whole picture reveals yet another level to the idyllic beauty of the village. The Shiroyama Viewpoint is located on a hill overlooking Ogimachi and is the place to go for this famous view. A fantastic vantage point for photos, the Viewpoint is also home to the restaurant “Tenshukaku.” Soak in the brilliant scenery of Shirakawa-go, which takes on a different flavor every season of the year, at this popular spot. 
2269-1 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [15-minute walk] 05769-6-1728 (Tenshukaku)
It is said that the gassho-zukuri thatched roof architectural style originated in the early Edo pe-riod (1603 ~ 1868), when there was extremely high demand for silk and therefore for silkworm breeding. The move towards installing shelves in the attic, where the silkworms would be cul-tured, can be thought of as the starting point of the gassho-zukuri tradition. In order to create an environment suitable to nurturing silkworms, the attic needed to be made into a wide, spa-cious area with plenty of light entering from outside as well as good ventilation. The result is the grand attic that you will see when you make your way to Shirakawa-go! The following are some other distinguishing characteristics of these unique houses that dot the landscape of Ogimachi: All of the thatched roof houses in the village face the same direction The roofs themselves always face east and west so that, during the winter when they are buried under heavy snow, they get as much sunlight as possible, causing the snow to melt more quickly. Additionally, the attic windows always face north and south so that wind is able to pass through the house, allowing for the best ventilation possible. The roofs are inclined at a steep 60-degree angle Because of the amount of snowfall in the region, the roofs are set at such steep inclines in order to lessen the pressure exerted by the snow. The steeper angle causes snow to slide off the rooftops more easily, enabling the roofs to last through the harsh winters with less wear and tear. They used to be re-thatched only once every 30 ~ 40 years, so they needed to last for that length of time. There are no nails and almost no metal used in their construction Instead, natural materials such as straw-braided rope and neso, a term used for softened tree branches, are used for tying everything together. Strong against the weight of snow, these natural fibers also give far more easily than do nails, adding a degree of flexibility to the roofs that other kinds lack. As a result, the roof and the house as a whole are able to sway slightly with strong winds, earthquakes, and the like, making them extremely resistant and durable. An irori, a sunken hearth in the floor, is generally placed in the center of the house Because the entire extended family used to live under one roof, a communal sitting area was often built in the heart of the 1st floor, and in this area would be a hearth around which the family would gather and eat. As a side effect, the smoke produced from the hearth rises and spreads throughout the house, turning the wood black. This is a good thing, however, as this smoke makes the wood more supple and pest-resistant and strengthens the straw rope knots keep-ing the house together!
The A to Z of Gassho-zukuri Houses
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❻ TOYOTA Shirakawa-go Eco-Institute トヨタ白川郷自然學校
In keeping with its theme of “Coexisting with Nature,” the TOYOTA Shirakawa-go Eco-Institute offers a variety of programs meant to get its guests to think and learn about nature. As a facility that emphasizes awareness of the environment and the importance that it plays in hu-man society, it is fitting that the institute is located so close to Shirakawa-go, where nature - particularly the harshness of winter - has shaped the culture of the village. You can enjoy hot springs as well as delicious French food. More than just a hotel, the Eco-Institute brings you closer to the Japanese countryside and encourages you to look at the natural world from the point of view of a Shirakawa-go local.Nature ProgramsApril ~ November: Guided Nature Tour (9:30 am ~ 10:30 am・free for guests)Explore the woods surrounding the Eco-Institute under the guidance of one of the knowledge-able “interpreters” who unravel the mysteries and wonders of nature for you!December ~ March: Stroll through the Snowy Woods (8:30 am ~ 9:30 am, 10:30 am ~ 11:30 am・¥1,000 per personTake a dive into the light, powdery snow of Shirakawa-go during the period from late Decem-ber to mid-February, when the snow is still fresh. Alternatively, walk on top of the snow from late February on, after it has hardened enough to tread on. Get to places that you normally would not be able to reach otherwise, since the snow allows you to see the world from a per-spective more than a meter higher off the ground than you are used to!
223 Magari, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 1 night + 2 meals: from ¥10,900 “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [Courtesy car・10 min] 05769-6-1187 https://toyota.eco-inst.jp/?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XCHARSET=utf-8&XJSID=0
V・M・AJ・D
Almost all of the locations offering accommodation in Shirakawa-go are guest houses run by the families that live in them, so you can enjoy the experience of staying a night (or more!) at one of the famed thatched roof houses in the village! An altogether different feeling from staying at a large hotel or even at a traditional Japanese ryokan inn, lodging at a guest house has its own unique charms, especially when it is located in the heart of World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go!Inexpensive option: At most of the guest houses in the village, a one-night stay with two meals included costs under ¥10,000, an extremely reasonable price.Delicious local food: Nestled in the mountains right next to a river, you will be served plentiful amounts of fresh mountain herbs and river fish when staying at a guest house in Shirakawa-go. Enjoying local cuisine is one of the great pleasures of travel, and you are sure to be thoroughly satisfied in that regard.Fantastic location: Quite simply, the chance to stay over in an isolated, quaint village such as Shirakawa-go is not the kind of opportunity you get often. Lodging in the village, which was meant to function in tune with nature, is an exceedingly calming experience that you are not likely to forget anytime soon! Staying at a guest house also affords you the chance to interact with some locals, as well as possibly travelers from other places. This kind of cultural exchange is another facet of the guest house experience that you rarely get in more traditional accommo-dation facilities.
How to book accommodations:1. Contact the guest house of your choice directly by phone (Japanese only in some cases)2. E-mail (recommended) or fax the Shirakawa-go Tourist Association with your reservation request (English OK)E-mail: info@shirakawa-go.gr.jpFax: 05769-6-1716
05769-6-1013 (9 am ~ 5 pm・Japanese only)(Information on accommodations)http://shirakawa-go.gr.jp/en/stay/
�Jiba Studio Gallery じ・ば工房
❾ Genki na Yasaikan 元気な野菜館
❽ Shirakawa-go no Yu 白川郷の湯
❼ Myozen-ji Temple and Museum 明善寺郷土館
Built around 230 years ago, Myozen-ji Temple is one of the few Buddhist temples in Japan that are of the gassho-zuku-ri thatched roof construction style. The shoromon bell tower gate was built in 1801 by one of the craftsmen of Hida renowned for their excellence, and its two-story structure characteristic of the late Edo period is a highly distinctive element of great architectural interest. Because of its unique attributes, Myozen-ji has been designated an Important Cultural Property of the prefecture. Adjacent to the temple is the local museum that displays old farming tools, furni-ture, kitchenware, and other remnants of an age gone by. 
679 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 8:30 am ~ 5 pm (December ~ March: 9 am ~ 4 pm) ¥300 (Middle and elementary school students: ¥100) “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [10-minute walk] 05769-6-1009
The “Jiba” in this shop’s name has several layers of meaning; the first is a reference to jiba sangyo, the term in Japanese for “local industry.” The second, if you separate it into “ji” and “ba,” is a combination of sounds taken from the terms for “grandpa” (ojiisan ) and grandma (obaasan ). You can think of the Jiba Studio Gallery, therefore, as a kind of mom-and-pop store that specializes in local products of Shirakawa-go! As a workshop in addition to a store, the Jiba Studio Gallery creates a lot of what it sells, and you can also try your hand at making some of these items with a reservation (by phone ・Japanese only). From making straw zori sandals and wooden coasters to dye-ing cloth and weaving, there are lots of hands-on activities that you can enjoy (at a fee). 6 Iijima, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 
9 am ~ 5 pm Monday “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [15-minute walk] 05769-6-1330
Fresh vegetables harvested in Shirakawa-go and edible wild plants are available at this local produce market, as are vari-ous other regional products. You can also get your hands on some homemade, pre-packaged side dishes and sweets that have become favorites of visitors.
 2483 Oro, Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 11 am ~ 5 pm Tuesday ~ Thursday “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [10-minute walk] 05769-6-1377
The sole hot spring facility within the village of Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go no Yu is the perfect place to enjoy a relax-ing hour or two, looking out over the village and the Sho River from the warmth of an open-air onsen bath! Rooms are also available for lodging, so this is another option for those interested in staying overnight in Shirakawa-go. In addition to the open-air baths, the facility has indoor baths, whirlpool baths, and two types of saunas that switch every day between male and female-use. The onsen  water is of the salt spring type, containing sodium chloride that is said to have healing effects on those afflicted with nerve or joint pain, chronic digestive diseases, poor circulation, and more! 337 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 7 am ~ 9 pm ¥700 (Elementary school students: ¥300) None 
“Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [1-minute walk] 05769-6-0026 http://www.shirakawagou-onsen.jp/english.html
V・M・AJ・D¥100 off admission (Valid until March 31, 2021)
Staying at a Guest House in Shirakawa-go
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Old even by Shirakawa-go gassho-zukuri  standards, Mago-emon is a fantastic guest house whose black insides, turned that shade because of the smoke emanating from the hearth, speak to the long history of the structure. 360 Ogimachi, Shi-rakawa-mura, Ono-gun 1 night + 2 meals: ¥10,260 (October ~ April: an additional heating fee of ¥700 applies) 
“Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [10-minute walk] 05769-6-1167
� Magoemon 孫右ヱ門
Afternoon refreshments (Valid until March 31, 2021)
In this 250 year-old gassho-zukuri house looking out over the Sho River, you can satisfy your hunger with cuisine typical of a satoyama village, one which is located in the mountains and that exists in harmony with its natural environment. Hida beef miso steak and the salt-grilled char fish set menu are among the most popular choices. This restaurant fills up quickly, so a reservation is recommended. 2671-1 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 11 am ~ 2 pm (time changes depending on the day) “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [15-minute walk] 05769-6-1506 http://www.hidatakayama.ne.jp/kitanosyo/index.html
�Kita no Sho 基太の庄
One free confection (Valid until March 31, 2021)
An old, elegant Japanese-style inn that was reconstructed here after being moved from elsewhere in the Hida region, Fujiya has private hot spring baths that can be reserved in addition to its regular, communal onsen baths. Located 20 minutes away from central Shirakawa-go by car. 325-1 Hirase, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 1 night + 2 meals: from ¥16,200 “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [Nohi Bus on the Shirakawa-go/Kanazawa Line to-wards Kanazawa・15 min] → “Hirase Onsen” bus stop → [3-minute walk] 05769-5-2611 http://www.tousuke-fujiya.com/en/
� Tosuke no Yu Fujiya  藤助の湯ふじや
V・M・AJ・DPost-breakfast coffee (Valid until March 31, 2021)
Using locally grown buckwheat ground in a homemade stone mortar and spring water taken from the sacred Hakusan moun-tain range, Nomura makes its deliciously chewy soba noodles that are sure to please. 
779 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun11 am ~ 4 pm (Or until supplies last)Wednesday “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [10-minute walk] 
05769-6-1508
�Nomura 乃むら
A thatched roof guest house where you will be served regional cuisine that incorporates ingredients grown and caught locally. You can enjoy, as many Japanese did in centuries past, eat-ing around a traditional irori sunken hearth that keeps the room warm especially during the winter months.  585 Ogimachi, Shi-rakawa-mura, Ono-gun 1 night + 2 meals: from ¥8,700(Winter time: an additional heating fee of ¥500 ~ ¥700 applies) 
“Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [13-minute walk] 05769-6-1551
� Hisamatsu 久松
Small gift (Valid until March 31, 2021)
A thatched roof house turned into a café, Ochudo is a great place to rest after strolling the village. Here, they use natural spring water and provide a selection of dishes that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients to their fullest. 
792 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 11 am ~ 5 pm “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [10-minute walk] 05769-6-1603 , 090-5458-0418
�Ochudo 落人
Zenzai red bean soup (Valid until March 31, 2021)
In addition to running this gassho-zukuri guest house, Mr. Ota also raises Hida cattle on the side, so as a guest at Otaya, you can have the unique experience of helping, however slightly, to care for the animals. Additionally, there are other hands-on activities that you can enjoy, such as reaping and harvesting rice and pounding mochi  rice cakes! 1807 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 1 night + 2 meals: from ¥10,500 (November ~ March: an addi-tional heating fee of ¥500 applies) “Ogimachi” bus stop → [3-minute walk] 
05769-6-1425 http://www.hidatakayama.ne.jp/ootaya/(JPN)
� Otaya 大田屋
Medium beer or small bottle of sake (Valid until March 31, 2021)
This restaurant is highly reputed for the freshness of its fish, as each order is prepared starting with a live one. Along with the grilled fish that is Bunsuke’s specialty, the rice served here is also homegrown, delivering a memorable, eco-friendly dining experience. 1915 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 11 am ~ 3 pm (Reservations required after 3 pm) “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [7-minute walk] 05769-6-1268 
� Bunsuke 文助
10% off the bill (Valid until March 31, 2021)
This gassho-zukuri guest house boasts a very central location in Shirakawa-go and also allows guests the opportunity to eat around an irori hearth. The menu is heavily centered around lo-cal ingredients and features mouth-watering food such as Hida beef and deep-fried mountain herb tempura. 221 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 1 night + 2 meals: from ¥9,800 (October ~ March: an additional heating fee of ¥500 applies)
“Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [5-minute walk] 05769-6-1176
� Gensaku 源作
Small gift (No expiration date)
Boasting a wonderfully calming ambience with classical music playing in the background, Hina uses spring water from deep in the mountains in all of its coffee and tea. 
1178 Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun 9:30 am ~ 5 pm 
Wednesday, 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month “Shirakawa-go” bus stop → [2-minute walk] 05769-6-1150 
� Hina コーヒー屋鄙
Candy treat (No expiration date)