Shirakawa-go (Gassho-zukuri Village)白川郷 合掌造り集落
A World Heritage village of steep thatched farmhouses, with a viewpoint over the whole valley. People live here, so please be quiet.
- History & buildings
- Views
- Nature
- about 3 hr
- Free
- Wheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 60 min from Takayama ・ Highway bus to Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal
Events held here
- Jan 1141st Shirakawa-go Winter Light-UpThe snow-covered thatched farmhouses of this World Heritage village are lit up on four evenings.
- Jan 1741st Shirakawa-go Winter Light-UpThe snow-covered thatched farmhouses of this World Heritage village are lit up on four evenings.
- Jan 2441st Shirakawa-go Winter Light-UpThe snow-covered thatched farmhouses of this World Heritage village are lit up on four evenings.
- Jan 3141st Shirakawa-go Winter Light-UpThe snow-covered thatched farmhouses of this World Heritage village are lit up on four evenings.
Dates, times and details can change, for example because of the weather. Please check the official information before you go.
Themes that include this place
- Old capitals & historic streetsA village of steep thatched farmhouses, reached by bus. Especially popular in the snow.
- Rural Japan: farm stays & village lifeA village of steep thatched farmhouses where people still live. You can stay in a thatched guesthouse (search on the tourist association's site). Except for overnight guests, visitors are not received at night, and the winter light-up is by advance reservation only.
Hida-Takayama guide
Streets of Edo-period merchant houses, morning markets and an old government office, all walkable from the station. Buses run to Shirakawa-go and the hot springs of Okuhida.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Old Town (Sanmachi Suji)
Streets of dark-latticed merchant houses dating from the Edo period, with sake breweries and stalls for dango and Hida beef.
Introduced by JNTO
Takayama's old townscape is named as a side trip off the usual route. Source: JNTO, Off the Beaten Track in Japan
- History & buildings
- Food & markets
- Shopping & strolling
about 1.5 hrFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly
Walk · About 12 min from Takayama ・ 34km from here
- 2
Miyagawa Morning Market
A market held every morning along the Miyagawa River. Buy vegetables, pickles and handmade goods from the makers. Ends around noon.
- Food & markets
- Shopping & strolling
about 45 minFree
Walk · About 12 min from Takayama ・ 34km from here
- 3
Takayama Jinya
The office from which the shogunate ruled Hida; the only such building left in Japan. A morning market is held in front of the gate.
- History & buildings
about 60 minPaid entryFine on a rainy dayWheelchair & stroller friendly
Walk · About 10 min from Takayama ・ 34km from here
- 4
Shirakawa-go
A World Heritage village of steep thatched farmhouses, with a viewpoint over the whole valley. People live here, so please be quiet.
- History & buildings
- Views
- Nature
about 3 hrFreeWheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 60 min from Takayama ・ Highway bus to Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal ・ 100m from here
- 5
Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)
An open-air museum of old Hida farmhouses, including thatched gassho houses, moved here. Good if you have no time for Shirakawa-go.
- History & buildings
- With kids
about 1.5 hrPaid entryPartly step-free
Bus · About 20 min from Takayama ・ Sarubobo Bus to Hida no Sato ・ 33km from here
- 6
Festival Float Hall and Sakurayama Hachimangu
See real, richly decorated floats from the autumn Takayama Festival all year round, in the grounds of the festival's shrine.
- History & buildings
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Museums
about 60 minPartly paidFine on a rainy dayPartly step-free
Walk · About 20 min from Takayama ・ 34km from here
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Shirakawa-go (Gassho-zukuri Village)
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