Shirakawa-go (白川郷, “White River Old-District”) is the name of village in the Shogawa river valley stretching across the border of Gifu and Toyama Prefectures in northern Japan. Shirakawa-go cannot be seperated with the other historic villages Gokayama (五箇山, “Five Mountains”).

Both Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are under UNESCO world heritage site since 1995, and the places are very popular nowadays as a traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old.

Shirakawa-go’s largest village and main attraction may be is Ogimachi.

Shirakawa-go has many events every day, here is the list of events including the event schedule

Events The time of the year
1. Harukoma – New Year
2. Syougo – End of February
3. Kumagari – Middle of March ～ Middle of April
4. Gassho roof’s rethatch – Beginning of April
5. Cherry tree flowering season – End of April ～　Beginning of May
6. Skunk cabbage flowering season- End of April ～　End of May
7. The season of fresh green – Middle of May ～　End of June
8. Hakusan Super woodland path’ access starts – Beginning of June ～　Middle of June
9. Hakusan’s the opening of a mountain – 20th of July ～　31st of August
10. Oosirakawa Camping place – 14th of August ～　17th of August
11. Bon Festival dance – 25th 26th of September, 10th of October
12. Doburoku Festival – 14th of October ～　19th of October
13. Autumnal leaves – Middle of October ～　Beginning of November
14. Mekaki – End of October ～　Middle of November
15. Houonkou – December ～　End of March
16. Snowfall – End of December ～　End of March
17. Skiing – End of December ～　End of March

Hotels, Guesthouse, and nightstay in Shirakawa-go. Here is some of the best hotel in Shirakawa-go :

1. Mihoro Ryokan
Situated in high level of Syou River, and it is Shirakawa-go’s South entryway. The hotel is old and good appearance relaxing mode tourist home and it has used dismantle Colony sank under the Mihoro lake and reconstruct it.
Address： 126 – 3 Maki Shirakawa village Oono-Gun

2. Hatago Shirayama Hotel
At this hotel, good quality hot spring, and eaten Hida Beef or river fishes with hearth’s charcoal fire is the main things of the hotel. The dishes are used particular food and seasonable, and also Jizake (local sake) and Reisyu with 3 years old Sake are available with Kappo Sake (bamboo Sake). Stubborn landlord, and beautiful landlady are waiting for you at the hotel.
Address： 126-100 Hirase Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

3. Yu-no-Sato
The hotel’s style can’t be seen in Shirakawa-go with unusual ceiling-well that dismantle Fukui’s fishermen’s boss’s building and reconstruct it. Hills and waters and the natural hot spring are the charm of family accommodation

4. Fujiya Ryokan
“The hotel which protects the Japanese secret hot springs” The inside bath and the outdoor hot springs are entire Hinoki (Japanese cypress) making that is what hotel can proud of!! It helps to bring the good quality out of Hot springs. Also bath time of returning on the same day is possible, so as four seasons’ holiday making, you are welcome to our hotel.
Address： 303-16 Hirase Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

5. Jyuemon
It is Gassho Style Inn that has 300 years history.
Address： 2653 Ogimachi Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

6. Inn Bunroku
The Inn is backed by the superb view of mountain. How about having a meal with the birds twittering, and watching the pond’s Koi (carp). You can enjoy the therapeutic walk in the forest even staying in the Inn. You might get the welcome words from cows
Address： 911 Ogimachi Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

7. himizu
Our Inn has 200 years history of Gassho style. It is situated in inside of the Gassho Colony, but it is bit out of center so quieter Inn.
Address： 2613 Ogimachi Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

Shirakawa-go Photos :

Dining room of a gassho-zukuri farmhouse

Kikori Souvernir shop. The most spacious souvenir shop in Shirakawa village. Located at Ogimachi south exit, and the next door on both sides are a dining room Tyube and Life museum.

Ogimachi Village, the largest village at Shirakawago

Hatago Shirayama Hotel at Hirase Shirakawa Village Oono-gun

World heritage Shirakawa-go Gassho-styled village. An antique village registered as a world heritage. The 112 Gassho-styled houses are a faithful remnant of old Japanese scenery.

Watch Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Video here

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• Gifu Prefecture access to Takayama and Shirakawa-go (0)

Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県) is a region in the central Chubu region of the main Japanese island Honshu. Gifu city is near to Takayama, a beautiful town in the mountains, and Shirakawa-go, a collection of small villages even deeper in the mountains.

Gifu is easily accessible both domestically and for travellers coming from abroad. Gifu can be reached by train in 20 minutes from Nagoya, 1 hour from Central Japan International Airport (CENTRAIR), 2 hours from Tokyo, and 1 hour from Osaka.

Gifu City is well known as a historical city with UKAI (cormorant fishing) in the pristine Nagara River —a tradition with some 1300 years of history. It is also famous for Gifu Castle, a central landmark in the history of 16 century daimyō general ODA Nobunaga.

Gifu City was also approved as an international convention city in 1988, and has continued to grow in popularity as an international convention and tourism city ever since.

Gifu Tourism
Gifu has many popular tourist attractions, bringing visitors to all parts of the prefecture. The most popular places are Gifu, Gero, Shirakawa and Takayama. Gifu is famous for cormorant fishing, which has a history of over 1,300 years, as for being a long-term residence of both Oda Nobunaga and Saitō Dōsan. Gero is known for its relaxing hot springs, which attract visitors throughout the year. Shirakawa’s historic villages are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Takayama is famous for retaining its original appearance and is often referred to as Little Kyoto.

In addition to international tourists, Gifu also plays host to many international events. The World Event and Convention Complex Gifu is available for many types of events. Other areas of Gifu, too, bring international events, such as in 2005 when the World Rowing Championships were held in the city of Kaizu.

Gifu Attractions :
1. Takayama : Preserves one of Japan’s nicest old towns.
2. Shirakawa-go : Mountainous region, known for its farmhouses.
3. Furukawa : Small town 15 minutes north of Takayama.
4. Gujo-Hachiman : Small town in rural Japan with castle.
5. Gero Onsen : Famous hot spring resort south of Takayama

Gifu sightseeings :
1. Cormorant Fishing
Ukai is the fishing method to which a fisherman catches fish using a cormorant, and has performed for about 1300 years.

2. Gifu Castle
Come see a symbol of Gifu City at the summit of Mt. Kinka, featuring various displays inside and an observation gallery on top!

3. Gifu Park
With its spring cherry blossoms, refreshing summer greenery, beautiful autumn leaves, and winter snow, Gifu Park is a paradise of seasonal pleasures.

4. Mt. Kinka Ropeway
It takes you from Gifu Park to Mt. Kinka in 3 min. Enjoy the dynamic beauty of Nagara River and the cityscape!

5. Gifu City Museum of History
The history and culture of Gifu City are shown through the unique experience-based exhibition, focusing on Sengoku period.

6. Mt. Kinka
It’s 329 meters high, in the center of Gifu City. Nature trails take you to the top with enjoyable natural scenery.

7. Nagara River
1300 years of historical UKAI runs in Nagara River. Its water has been protected and this river is rated as one of the 100 cleanest and of 88 best bathing places in Japan.

8. UKAI no Sato
See cormorants and traditional UKAI implements at the 6 Cormorant Fishing Masters’ houses along the Nagara River!

9. Gifu Great Buddha
One of the 3 greatest Buddha statues in Japan, and the biggest (13.7 meters) constructed by the dry lacquer technique, The Gifu Great Buddha will soothe you with his graceful smile.

10. Sofuku-ji Temple
See the monument for Nobunaga and his son Nobutada’s as well as historical materials related to Gifu Castle, nestled here among the beautiful Japanese enkianthus trees.

11. Kawara-machi area
Walk and see old-fashioned Japanese houses, and traditional confectioner’s shops, along with restaurants and galleries converted from old townhouses!

12. Nagara River Hot Springs
Enjoy hot springs along the Nagara River. Why don’t you relax in the russet brown water, experiencing the beauty of the changing seasons?

13. Bairin Park
About 1300 plum trees of some fifty different species are planted here. The Plum Festival is held in early March attracting many visitors every year.

Photos of Gifu city :

First built as a fortress on the top of Mt. Kinka in 1201, Gifu Castle has a history of about 800 years.

Gifu Village

Street at Gifu city

Together with Gifu Castle, the Nagara River that flows through the middle of Gifu City is a beloved symbol of Gifu City.\

Yanagase street in Gifu

Watch Japan Gifu Minokamo city street Video

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• Shirakawa-go Japan Historic Villages and Gokayama (0)