Well-known for its thatched-roof farmhouses, Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture is a well-liked day journey from Takayama or Kanazawa. For those who’re planning to take a day journey to Shirakawa-go, our itinerary under might help!
Situated within the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is a well-liked day journey vacation spot, recognized for its lovely thatched-roof farmhouses. Regardless that this picturesque city continues to be an lively village, it nearly seems to be like time has stood nonetheless.
As Shirakawa-go is situated proper in between Takayama and Kanazawa, many individuals go to on a day journey from both of those in style spots. And since I’ve visited twice now, in spring and autumn, it’s time to share my Shirakawa-go day journey itinerary:
Shirakawa-go Itinerary Overview & Map
Shirakawa-go (in Gifu Prefecture) and Gokayama (in Toyama Prefecture) are areas within the Northern Japanese Alps residence to some picturesque conventional farm cities. They’re notably recognized for his or her distinctive model of structure.
This area of Japan famously will get loads of heavy snow through the winter, forcing the locals to create steep thatched roofs, stopping the snow from piling up and breaking via. This model is known as gassho, which roughly interprets to “fingers in prayer” as the form seems to be like two fingers in prayer place.
When speaking about Shirakawa-go, individuals usually discuss with one of many cities known as Ogimachi, the biggest and hottest city within the space. It’s residence to 59 thatched-roof homes. That is additionally the city the buses take you to, as Ogimachi has essentially the most issues to see and do.
Nevertheless, in the event you’re travelling by automobile, it’s straightforward to cease by among the different gassho-zukuri cities within the Shirakawa-go and Gokayama space: Ainokura (which has 20 homes) and Suganuma (residence to 9 gaucho-styled homes). These cities are a bit more durable to get to, which additionally means they appeal to fewer vacationers – good if you wish to keep away from the big crowds.
Any season is sweet for visiting Shirakawa-go. In spring, you’ll be capable of benefit from the lovely blossoms, whereas summer time provides approach to the colourful rice paddies. The autumn leaves are a spotlight later within the yr, and winter brings as much as 30 toes of snow – a surprising sight.
This Shirakawa-go itinerary focuses primarily on Ogimachi, because it’s the simplest spot to get to and has to most issues to do. The Google Maps under reveals you among the highlighted factors within the itinerary:
Earlier than diving into this one-day Shirakawago itinerary, I wish to clearly point out that this city isn’t an open-air museum. It’s a actual city the place individuals reside and work. A lot of the homes listed below are non-public property, so please don’t trespass or peek inside home windows. There are homes that you may enter for a small price and act as a museum (extra data on that under), so follow these as a substitute!
I additionally should say that even after two visits, I didn’t fairly like it as a lot as I hoped I’d. Regardless that many different articles declare Shirakawa-go to be an absolute must-see in Japan, I’m unsure if I agree. Each visits have been good, however I left barely underwhelmed.
Whereas Shirakawa-go is undoubtedly a ravishing city, with the well-known gassho farmhouses and the gorgeous Japanese Alps within the background, it’s very crowded. And really, there isn’t that a lot to do. Clearly, I’m not saying that you simply shouldn’t go to – however I want I had visited with fewer expectations.
Shirakawa-go Day Journey Itinerary
When visiting Shirakawa-go for the day, listed below are among the issues to take a look at. Relying on whether or not you arrive by bus or automobile, you’ll have to swap the order of among the spots under, because the arrival spot could differ. Both manner, you’ll have greater than sufficient time to see the whole lot in Shirakawa-go in at some point.
1. Cross the Deai Suspension Bridge
For those who arrive in Shirakawa-go by automobile, you’ll most probably park in the principle automobile park on the western aspect of the village. To get to the city from there, you’ll should cross the Deai Bridge.
This 107-meter-long suspension bridge dates again to 1993 and allows you to cross the Sho River. When lots of people stroll throughout the bridge, you’ll really feel it bounce barely up and down.
Strolling throughout the bridge and looking out across the crystal blue water of the Sho River seems like an important welcome to Shirakawa-go. The environment listed below are lovely.
2. Go to Gassho-Zukuri Minka-en (Open Air Museum)
Most of Shirakawa-go continues to be lively, individuals are dwelling and dealing right here. Over time, lots of the homes have been eliminated or left empty as villagers moved away. To protect components of the city, among the homes have been moved to this aspect of Ogimachi to create an open-air museum, or Gassho-Zukuri Minka-en.
A ticket for the museum prices ¥600 per particular person (¥400 for kids) and provides you entry to what I assumed was the greatest a part of the city. There are 25 thatched-roof homes within the museum, all with info on what they was once and the place they have been moved from. A few of them are over 250 years outdated.
One large plus was that it was very quiet right here in comparison with the remainder of the city, however it’s additionally one of the best place to study extra concerning the homes, the village and its individuals. There are brief movies in among the homes accessible, too.
The knowledge plaques connected to all the homes give a a lot deeper perception into why the gassho structure model was created and the way the individuals used to reside right here. Partly due to the heavy snow, however it additionally created giant attics the place the villagers have been in a position to retailer meals and crops.
On my first go to to Shirakawago, I skipped the museum, considering I might see the homes on the town with out paying for a ticket. After visiting it on my second journey, I now realise that was a mistake. Visiting the museum added a lot to my time right here – it was one of the best a part of the day journey, in my view.
3. Stroll by the Three Homes of Shirakawa-go
Some of the iconic spots in Shirakawa-go is the Three Homes. These three thatched-roof farmhouses line up picture-perfect. They’re situated on the south finish of the city, barely out of the best way of the opposite sights, however in the event you’re in Shirakawa-go anyway, it’s value strolling by.
The identify “gassho-zukuri” roughly interprets to “praying fingers building” because the triangular shapes mimic two fingers in a praying place. However the form of those homes wasn’t simply an aesthetic alternative.
Shirakawa-go sits in the midst of the mountains and is just round 50km from the Sea of Japan. The mixture of the moist air coming from the ocean and the chilly mountain air makes this space of Japan recognized for its heavy snowfall. The villagers of Shirakawa-go needed to adapt to outlive the tough winters right here, together with how they constructed their homes.
The distinct gassho-style homes have a triangular form, distributing the burden of the snow higher. This prevents the roof from caving in and stops water from dripping inside simply.
4. Discover Shirakawa Kaido
Strolling round Shirakawa-go will be very pleasurable, regardless of the big crowds. The city is undoubtedly lovely, particularly with the small fields of crops and the outdated farm homes on a ravishing mountainous backdrop. It’s not a really giant city, so take your time to discover it.
The principle highway, the Shirakawa Kaido, runs straight via the village and used to attach Shirakawa-go with the centre of Takayama. On it, you’ll find small eating places, cafes and outlets.
5. See Shirakawa-go From Above at Shiroyama View Level
For those who’ve come throughout any photos of Shirakawa-go earlier than, chances are high that you simply’ve seen pictures taken from this iconic spot. It’s the proper spot to look out over the village and the gorgeous backdrop of the mountains.
It’s free to go to, however you’ll have to stroll up the hill to get there. From the city, it takes round 20 minutes (relying on the place within the city you begin, it might be barely longer).
You too can use the bus service that takes individuals from Wada Home to the highest of the hill for ¥300 every manner. The stroll itself isn’t too troublesome, so except you might have any mobility points, I’d follow strolling.
There are a number of spots close to the highest of the hill to take a look at for one of the best views. Don’t skip the “Ogimachi Fortress Remark Deck”, because it’s just a little hidden however provides you among the best views – it’s the place Ogimachi Fortress used to face.
6. Go Inside One of many Gassho Homes
Folks nonetheless reside and work in Shirakawa-go, so do not forget that loads of the homes listed below are non-public properties. A few of the homes are used as museums, sharing extra details about the historical past of the households that used to reside right here and what life used to appear like in Ogimachi. A few of the homes you may go to embody:
- Wada Home: The biggest gassho-zukuri-style home in Shirakawa-go, which you’ll be able to enter for a small price (¥400 for adults, ¥200 for kids). It used to belong to the Wada household, a wealthy household that lived in Shirakawa-go and labored within the silk commerce. Inside the home, you may study extra concerning the household and the significance of Wada Home.
- Kanda Home: Kanda Home is without doubt one of the greatest preserved homes in Shirakawa-go, courting again to 1850. Inside, you’ll discover an exhibition corridor with outdated instruments used as a part of the silk manufacturing, which was one of many major industries in Shirakawa-go on the time. Tickets to enter price ¥400 per grownup, ¥200 for kids.
- Nagase Home: Stretching over 5 tales, Nagase Home is the tallest one in Shirakawa-go. It’s over 250 years outdated and was the home of the city physician for many years. Inside, you’ll find a big altar and outdated medical tools courting again to the Edo Interval. Tickets price ¥300 for adults, ¥150 for kids.
When visiting Shirakawa-go and the encompassing areas, it’s greatest to carry some money. Whereas some extra tourist-oriented locations settle for playing cards, this isn’t the case in every single place in rural locations in Japan.
7. Cease by the Free Museum at Shirakawa-go’s Roadside Station
For those who’re travelling by automobile, it’s additionally value making a brief cease at Shirakawa-go’s roadside station (道の駅 白川郷 合掌造りオブジェ). It’s a brief drive from Ogimachi’s UNESCO World Heritage Website to the opposite aspect of the city.
On our first go to to Shirakawa-go, we stopped right here first and mistook it for the parking spot close to the precise city. Seems, it was nonetheless an important spot to cease at!
On the roadside station, you’ll find a small restaurant and memento store, as with most roadside stations. However what’s particular about this one is that it additionally hosts a free museum. Inside, you’ll find a gassho-zukuri farmhouse. It reveals you how these homes are made, and also you get to see the layers of the roofs. Because it’s free to go to, it gained’t harm to cease by earlier than or after your go to to the principle city.
There are some locations in each Shirakawa-go (Ogimachi) and Gokayama (Ainokura) the place you may keep in a single day in one of many gassho-style farmhouses. They do e-book up rapidly, so if that is one thing you wish to do, be sure to e-book it early.
Find out how to Get to Shirakawa-go
Shirakawa-go sits between Takayama and Kanazawa, making it a straightforward day journey from both metropolis. It’s additionally doable to journey to Shirakawa-go from Toyama, nevertheless, most individuals use Takayama or Kanazawa as a base for this journey. As Shirakawa-go doesn’t have any trains, you may both use the bus service or hire a automobile in your day journey.
On each my visits, I rented a automobile in Takayama and drove in the direction of Kanazawa whereas stopping alongside the best way. Renting a automobile made sense as I used to be planning to go to Kanazawa after Takayama, and it gave me the flexibleness to cease at another Gassho-zukuri villages alongside the best way.
The bus service is an efficient different in the event you can’t or don’t wish to drive. Buses run often, and it’s doable to journey from one of many cities to a different and cease at Shirakawa-go en route. For instance, you could possibly journey from Takayama to Shirakawa-go and onwards to Kanazawa by bus.
Right here is a few extra info on the right way to take a day journey to Shirakawa-go:
Find out how to Get to Shirakawa-go From Takayama
To get to Shirakawa-go from Takayama, you may both hire a automobile or use the bus.
Find out how to Get to Shirakawa-go From Takayama by Bus
The bus departs from Takayama Nohi Bus Terminal, which is situated subsequent to JR Takayama Station. A single ticket from Takayama to Shirakawa-go prices ¥2,800 and can take round 50 minutes. Kids aged 6–12 can get a reduced fee, and people youthful than 6 can trip without spending a dime.
On the time of writing, there are 17 providers each day, a few of which solely have reserved seats. To order a seat, you may pre-book tickets right here. As this web site doesn’t mean you can e-book return tickets, be sure to e-book two single tickets. It’s additionally doable to e-book a ticket from Takayama to Shirakawa-go after which onwards to Kanazawa, relying on the remainder of your itinerary.
You too can pre-book the non-reserved buses right here, which suggests you need to use any of the non-reserved buses on the day. This web site enables you to e-book a return ticket if most popular, in contrast to the web site for reserved buses.
Alternatively, you should buy the tickets on the day on the bus station in Takayama. Each the Takayama-Hokuriku Space Vacationer Cross and Shoryudo Freeway Bus Cross are additionally legitimate on this route, however it’s advisable to make use of one of many non-reserved bus providers, because it’s not doable to pre-book the reservations with these passes on-line. You can also make a reservation by cellphone, however it’s simply as straightforward to make use of the non-reserved buses as a substitute.
To correctly plan your day journey to Shirakawa-go, it’s greatest to verify the timetable on the official web site to see what time the buses depart and which providers require a reservation.
Find out how to Get to Shirakawa-go From Takayama by Automotive
Driving to Shirakawa-go from Takayama can also be an possibility, and one which I favor over the bus service. On each our journeys to Shirakawa-go, we rented a automobile from Toyota Hire a Automotive in Takayama (situated exterior of JR Takayama Station) and dropped it off in Kanazawa (close to JR Kanazawa Station).
From Takayama, it takes roughly 50 minutes to drive the 50km to Shirakawa-go. There’s loads of parking accessible in Shirakawa-go, too. Most rental automobiles will include a navigation system in-built, making it very straightforward to make your approach to Shirakawa-go.
Find out how to Get to Shirakawa-go From Kanazawa
To get to Shirakawa-go from Kanazawa, you may both hire a automobile or use the bus.
Find out how to Get to Shirakawa-go From Kanazawa by Bus
The bus to Shirakawa-go departs from the bus station west of JR Kanazawa Station. A single ticket prices ¥2,800 and can take round 1 hour and 25 minutes. Kids aged 6–12 can get a reduced fee, and people youthful than 6 can trip without spending a dime.
On the time of writing, there are 17 providers each day, a few of which solely have reserved seats. To order a seat, you may pre-book tickets right here. This web site doesn’t mean you can e-book a return ticket, so it is advisable purchase two single tickets as a substitute.
Tickets for the non-reserved bus can’t be bought on-line, however you should buy them at Kanazawa Station on the day.
Each the Takayama-Hokuriku Space Vacationer Cross and Shoryudo Freeway Bus Cross are additionally legitimate on this route. For those who’re utilizing these passes, it’s greatest to stay with the non-reserved bus providers. The one approach to make a reservation on the reserved buses is by cellphone, so it’s simply as straightforward to stay with the non-reserved buses as a substitute.
To correctly plan your day journey to Shirakawa-go, it’s greatest to verify the timetable on the official web site to see what time the buses depart and which providers require a reservation.
Find out how to Get to Shirakawa-go From Kanazawa by Automotive
Just like renting a automobile from Takayama to drive to Shirakawa-go, it’s very straightforward to do the identical from Kanazawa. On our two journeys to Shirakawa-go, we rented a automobile in Takayama, drove to Shirakawa-go, after which drove onwards to Kanazawa.
From Kanazawa, it takes round 1 hour and 10 minutes to drive to Shirakawa-go (roughly 65km). We rented our automobile with Toyota Hire a Automotive, which got here with a built-in navigation system, making it very straightforward to make our approach to Shirakawa-go. Shirakawa-go additionally had loads of parking areas accessible.
Find out how to Get to Shirakawa-go From Toyama
Toyama isn’t fairly as in style as Takayama or Kanazawa, however it’s comparatively near Shirakawa-go, making it an important day journey in the event you’re staying right here. Particularly since Toyama is the tip (or begin) of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, it’s gaining an increasing number of traction.
Just like Takayama and Kanazawa, you need to use the bus or hire a automobile. It’s additionally doable to get the prepare to Kanazawa first (which takes round 20 minutes), and journey from there in the event you’re additionally planning to go to Kanazawa.
Find out how to Get to Shirakawa-go From Toyama by Bus
The bus station in Toyama is situated simply exterior Toyama Station. The buses to Shirakawa-go and again run a bit much less often than these between Takayama and Kanazawa, so it’s greatest to double-check the bus instances on the official web site earlier than making any plans.
It takes round 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to Shirakawa-go from Toyama by bus. A single ticket prices ¥2,400 per grownup. Kids aged 6–12 can get a reduced fee, and people youthful than 6 can trip without spending a dime.
Just like the routes above, the Takayama-Hokuriku Space Vacationer Cross and Shoryudo Freeway Bus Cross are additionally legitimate on this route.
Find out how to Get to Shirakawa-go From Toyama by Automotive
The drive from Toyama to Shirakawa-go takes roughly 1 hour and quarter-hour (round 85km). Just like Kanazawa and Takayama, Toyota Hire a Automotive has a store situated simply exterior the prepare station for simple entry.
Why I Advocate Driving to Shirakawa-go
On each our journeys to Shirakwago, we rented a automobile to drive from Takayama to Kanazawa, and I’d extremely advocate doing so in the event you’re in a position to and really feel snug driving overseas. I perceive this isn’t an possibility for everyone, as you do want the right papers to drive in Japan (I wanted a global driving allow alongside my UK license), plus it may be scary driving overseas, however it has so many advantages!
Having a automobile for our day in Shirakawa-go gave us loads of flexibility, permitting us to reach and depart after we have been able to. As we weren’t returning to Takayama, however travelling onwards to Kanazawa, it was additionally very straightforward to depart our baggage within the automobile sales space whereas we explored Shirakawa-go. It’s doable to take baggage on the bus and retailer it in a locker whenever you get to Shirakawa-go, however it may be tough.
Shirakawa-go additionally has loads of parking areas accessible, together with an overflow automobile park not too removed from the principle village. Our first go to was throughout Golden Week (which was a mistake!), and even with the big crowds in Shirakawa-go, there was nonetheless parking accessible.
On prime of that, the drive via the Gifu and Toyama mountains is gorgeous – it was such a deal with driving via this lovely panorama. Having our personal automobile additionally gave us the simple choice to cease at among the different Gassho villages within the space, together with Ainokura and Suganuma.
Driving may also be a bit dearer than taking the bus (relying on how giant your group is, it may be cheaper than the bus), however I nonetheless suppose it’s value it for the advantages it’ll add to your day.
For those who’re visiting Shirakawa-go in winter, getting a bus could also be a greater and safer possibility except you might have expertise driving in snow. This space in Japan will get heavy snowfall throughout winter, so roads could also be icy.
Shirakawa-go Options
Listed here are some options to visiting Shirakawa-go:
- Gokayama’s Ainokura and Suganuma: The most effective different (or addition to your journey to Shirakawa-go) is the neighbouring city within the Gokayama space. For those who’re driving, stopping by Ainokura or Suganuma (or each) is a should! These cities additionally host the well-known gassho-style farmhouses and are loads much less busy. Regardless that they’re smaller, it’s nonetheless value including them to your day within the space.
- Takayama’s Hida no Sato Folks Village: If Takayama is in your Japan itinerary however you may’t make it to Shirakawa-go, including Hida Folks Village might be an important different. This open-air museum hosts 30 homes, together with some conventional gassho-style homes.
- Gero Onsen’s Gassho Village: Just like the open-air museum in Takayama, Gero Onsen has an analogous attraction. The Gero Onsen Gassho Mura has 10 gassho-zukuri farmhouses that have been transported from the Shirakawa-go space. If you wish to mix among the greatest onsen within the space with these homes, Gero Onsen might be an important alternative.
- Kyoto Prefecture’s Miyama: Whereas not precisely the identical, Miyama in Kyoto Prefecture is residence to some thatched roof homes (known as kayabuki, so not the identical as gassho-zukuri). Kayabuki no Sato in Miyama has 40 homes scattered across the space.
Conclusion – Is Shirakawa-go Value Visiting?
Whether or not or not Shirakawa-go is value visiting is a difficult one for me. Whereas many guides (printed and on-line) say Shirakawa-go is an absolute must-visit, I can’t say that I agree.
On my first go to, I assumed it was the big crowds that flocked collectively throughout Golden Week that made me really feel barely underwhelmed by my go to. Nevertheless, even the second go to didn’t fairly get me as excited as I’d hoped.
It’s a stunning city with a ton of historical past, and the homes are lovely – I can’t say it’s not. However on each visits, I didn’t fairly get the hype. There isn’t a complete lot to do, and although individuals are dwelling on this city, it did really feel a bit like strolling via a museum (a bit Disneyland-esque).
I do know lots of people gained’t agree with me on this, which is completely wonderful. However I most likely gained’t return once more, particularly when there are such a lot of different spots in Japan that I’d completely like to revisit (suppose Shikoku, Kinosaki Onsen, the Nakasendo, and so forth).
As a result of it sits between Kanazawa and Takayama, Shirakawa-go does act as an important center level for a journey day. For those who’re on this space anyway, it gained’t harm to cease by and see it your self. Once more, many different guides fee Shirakawa-go very excessive, so perhaps I’m simply lacking the purpose!