About Historic Villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama

A beautiful snow village with gassho-zukuri style that has lived through time

Shirakawa-go and the Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, straddle Gifu and Toyama Prefectures and are a precious place that preserves the traditional Japanese rural landscape of the area. The area is characterized by a unique architectural style known as gassho-zukuri, with steeply pitched thatched roofs. Gassho-zukuri was devised to efficiently remove snow in areas with heavy snowfall, and its beauty and functionality attracts visitors.

The charm of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama as tourist destinations lies in their scenery and historical atmosphere. In particular, the Ogimachi village in Shirakawa-go, with its cluster of gassho-style houses, offers visitors the feeling of stepping back in time to old Japan. In winter, the village is covered in snow, and the illuminated night scenery is magical and an unforgettable sight for visitors.

One of the best places to start is to visit the Shirakawa-go Observation Deck. From here, you can view the entire village and enjoy its magnificent scenery. Next, visit the Minka-en, where you can see the interior of the Gassho-zukuri style houses, and the Wada-ke, where you can get a close-up look at the traditional lifestyle and building techniques. Also worth visiting are the Suganuma and Aikura villages in Gokayama. These villages attract fewer tourists than Shirakawa-go and offer a quieter, more tranquil atmosphere.

In addition, we recommend purchasing local specialties and traditional handicrafts. The locally made handicrafts and delicious local cuisine in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are sure to bring back special memories for visitors.

The Gassho-Zukuri Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama offer visitors a rare opportunity to experience the beauty of the natural landscape and traditional Japanese rural culture.