| Shirakawa-gō ((ja)白 川 郷) | |
 | |
| Houses Gasshō in Shirakawa-gō | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Gifu |
| Location | |
 36 ° 15 ′ 34 ″ N 136 ° 54 ′ 19 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
| Touristic site | |
Shirakawa-gō, formerly Shirakawa-mura (白 川村), is a historic village in the Gifu prefecture. Together with Gokayama in Toyama, it was recorded as Unesco World Heritage the .
Understand
The village is famous for its farms, which are built in a unique architectural style known as gasshō-zukuri (合掌 造 り). The name means "construction in joined hands", as if for a prayer, referring to the sloping thatched roofs which prevent snow from accumulating there in winter. Under the roofs, the large attic space was used to house silkworms.
Another thing that made the village famous is the recent Japanese series of games Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (2002) and the ensuing animated series. Although the villagers are not so happy that there is a very violent animated series happening in their village, it has attracted more tourists nonetheless. A number of locations from the animated series can be visited in Shirakawa, the most common site being the Hachiman Shrine, the site where Rika Furude met an unhappy end and also the major shrine of the village.
To go
Shirakawa-gō can be reached by bus from most major cities in Japan. In addition to these, one can take the Shinkansen train in Nagoya, then change to a standard train to Takayama and finally take a bus from Takayama bus station to Shirakawa-gō. The train ride from Nagoya to Takayama is particularly enjoyable, offering the passenger much of the mountainous beauty that Japan has to offer (which is a different metropolis). Another option is to rent a car (there are several rental companies in Takayama) and drive to Shirakawa-gō. A new "super-highway" is now open and will bring you to the village in less than an hour.
Renting a car is also recommended if you want to access the different areas near Shirakawa-gō: places such as Hirase Onsen or Kawai Village (and some mountainous areas). Keep in mind that during the snow season most of the roads leading to the mountain will not be open.
Joining a guided bus tour is an easy way to visit Shirakawa-gō. iSiteTAKAYAMA[1] offers daily half-day tour from Takayama by comfortable bus. The price is 3 800 JPY for the round trip, it is the cheapest price.
See
The village has 112 historic style houses gasshō.
- 1 Shiroyama Viewpoint (城) (a few minutes walk north) – Offers a beautiful view of the village
- 2 Jin Homura Art Museum (焔 仁 美術館, homura jin bijutsukan)
9 h 30 - 16 h. 
300 JPY. – The modern art of Jin Homura's works in a traditional farmhouse is an interesting combination of old and new that showcases art, while bringing new attractions to homes and architecture. - 3 Gasshō-zukuri Minkaen (合掌 造 り 民 家園) 2499 Ogimachi adults 600 JPY, children 400 JPY. – A host of historic farms have been moved from other parts of the village to conserve them. Some go back to XVIIIe century. The buildings contain artifacts and items used by former residents as well as information about the history of the buildings and the surrounding area.
- 4 Kanda House (神 田家) 796 Ogimachi 9 h - 17 h. 300 JPY. – A well-preserved farmhouse that still has its fire burning. 1er floor has artifacts similar to those in the village. Many visitors appreciate the traditional cat carrier. The 2e floor offers through the windows a beautiful view of the interior construction of the house with beautiful views of the rest of the village.
- 5 Wada House (和 田家) 997 Ogimachi 9 h - 17 h. 300 JPY. – It is the largest of the Ogimachi farms. It contains a few artifacts that were used in its heyday. For fans of ‘Higurashi no Naku Koro ni’, the Wada Residence is the home of Shion and Mion.
- 6 Nagase House (長 瀬 家) 9 h - 17 h. 300 JPY. – The house is known for its length of 11 m which correspond to the trees used as horizontal beams inside. The house dates back 250 years when the Nagase family worked as doctors. Artifacts inside include medical items, as well as items used in everyday life.
- 7 Kaerikumo Castle (帰 雲 子 kaerikumo-jō) – Vanished into the ground (along with the city surrounding it) when a large earthquake struck one night in 1586. A gold mine near the castle was also swallowed up by the earth that night, leaving people to speculate until today that no less than 10 billion yen (or 80 million euros) could still be buried there. Nowadays, there is nothing left except a monument and greenery.
- 8 Shiramizu Falls (白水 の 滝, shirazu no taki) free. – A scenic waterfall near Lake Shiramizu.
Make
There are several beautiful natural sites nearby. One is the Mount Haku (Hakusan), one of Three famous mountains of Japan, surrounded by a virgin forest at its feet.
Another is the three Amō Falls (天生): Taka Falls (高 滝), Naka (中 滝) and Ki (木 滝), which can be seen along the passage leading to the Amō highlands.
Another waterfall, Hakusui (白水 溜 池 堰 堤, hakusui-tameike-entei), flows from the artificial lake of Hakusui, which was created by a dam, at an altitude of 1 260. To rest from your hike and relax a bit, the area also has several hot springs, such as the Hirase Hot Spring Bath.
- 1 Shirakawa-go no Yu (白 川 郷 の 湯) (in the historic district) 7 h - 21 h 30. 700 JPY (towel rental in addition). – A convenient hot spring for day visitors. Especially popular in the winter to warm up after wandering the city in the cold. Also offers accommodation.
- 2 Shiramizu no Yu (し ら み ず の 湯) Apr. - Nov.10 h - 21 h, Dec. - March 11 h - 20 h. 600 JPY. – A hot spring for those coming for the day. This is a large area with a variety of indoor and outdoor pools to soak up and relax.
Buy
Shirakawa-gō has many tourist shops with a variety of souvenirs available. One of the unique items of the area is the doll Sarubobo (literally baby monkey), who is a faceless red 'monkey'. We will have to imagine on that the face of one of his children or grandchildren and pray for his well-being.
Eat
The village gasshō in Shirakawa has a few places to eat. Look for ramen restaurants and the like. These will only be open during daylight hours. The village, being mainly focused on day tourism, will close its doors after sunset.
Drinks
The Hachiman Shrine in Shirakawa-gō makes its own brand of sake which is available both at the shrine and at most tourist shops in the area. This sake is mainly used for matsuri (festival) celebrations. This sake is characterized by the large amount of rice that is still present in the bottle.
Shirakawa-gō also produces a local blend of distilled sake which is really strong (around 60%; you don't immediately realize how strong it is). It is available through ryokans and tourist shops in the area.
Housing
Shirakawa-gō offers many ryokans (Japanese inns) for overnight stays. Most of these hostels are gasshō type buildings, and include dinner and breakfast in the price of accommodation. Dinner usually consists of traditional Japanese dishes of river fish and exquisite mountain vegetables; you will almost certainly sleep in a futon, itself on a tatami mat. Magoemon is one such establishment, and is located next to the river in Ogimachi.
security
Shirakawa-gō buildings are mostly made of traditional highly flammable materials. Smoking is therefore highly regulated in the village. If you must smoke, it must be done at a designated place within the village (indicated by benches, a sign and a large ashtray one meter high). Please refrain from smoking anywhere other than those designated. Shirakawa-gō has an emergency fire extinguisher system, but triggering it through a cigarette butt would spell a terrible end to a happy vacation.
Respect
Although it is a moderately popular tourist destination, some people live in some of the traditional houses. Keep this in mind during your ride.
Around
- 1 Takayama (高山, Takayama) (to the south-east, to 50 min by motorway coach) – The walled city of the beautiful northern region of the region of Hida (飛 騨), with an excellent open-air museum and well-preserved houses.
- 2 Kanazawa (金 沢) (to the north in the prefecture ofIshikawa, at 1 h 15 by bus) – The capital of his prefecture and one of the best-preserved samurai towns in Japan. It also has one of the three most beautiful landscaped gardens in Japan, the Kenroku-en, and the largest production of gold leaf in Japan.
- Your friend
- Takaoka
- Hakusan
- Gujo
| Routes via Shirakawa-gō |
| Toyama ← Gokayama ← | NOT  S | → Takayama → Gifu |
