Shirakawago Three Houses — Attraction in Shirakawa

Shirakawago is a small, picturesque village located in the remote mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is famous for its traditional Gassho-style houses, which have steeply pitched thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfalls during the winter. This unique architectural style has earned Shirakawago a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it draws visitors from around the world who come to experience the village's rustic charm.

The village is particularly popular in the winter months, when the snow-covered roofs create a magical atmosphere that is truly unforgettable. Visitors can walk through the village and explore the historic houses, some of which are over 250 years old. Many of the houses have been converted into museums or restaurants, where visitors can learn more about the local history and culture, and sample traditional dishes like soba noodles and grilled river fish.

In addition to the historic houses, Shirakawago is also home to some beautiful natural scenery, including the nearby Shokawa River and the surrounding mountains. There are several hiking trails in the area that offer stunning views of the landscape, and visitors can also take part in activities like snowshoeing and skiing during the winter months.

Overall, Shirakawago is a unique and unforgettable destination that is well worth a visit. Whether you're interested in history, culture, or just stunning natural scenery, there's something for everyone in this charming...

We hold a JAPAN 21-day JR pass for the Christmas of 2023 and New Year of 2024, and our dream winter destination is Shirakawago Village. Today, I finally made it, and the snow is just perfect – there are well-defined pathways unless you prefer to venture off for a better selfie or a slide. The snow reaches above my knee level.

For real-time snow updates, I recommend checking the live cam of Shirakawago. Takayama has been snow-free and somewhat quiet since our arrival on January 4, 2024.

To reach Shirakawago, you can purchase tickets at the Nohi Bus office next to Takayama JR station. A one-way ticket costs 2600 yen. Consider reserving a ticket online for a smoother experience, although open tickets are an option. We arrived at 10 am and spent approximately 3 hours exploring the village.

Daytime visits are more rewarding than the winter light-up since you can enjoy the panoramic view of the entire village. There are available buses to/from Takayama, Shinjuku, Nagoya, and Osaka, making the tour buses a convenient choice for Shirakawago enthusiasts.

Interestingly, Hida Folk Village lacked snow when we visited on January 4, 2024. Checking live cameras online is advisable to monitor snowfall. From late December to mid-January, thick snow is not guaranteed in many parts of Japan.

With our JAPAN 21-day JR pass, we have the flexibility to adjust our itinerary and accommodations, allowing us to chase heavy snowfalls and explore all our winter wonderland...

This place is so nice, therefore I could say 5 stars are good enough but what makes it 2 is the way an old lady treated the two of us when we went there. She’s a Japanese old woman who was so very angry telling us not to get near the houses. Of course, we were embarrassed since she could say it in a nice way. In return, we still said sorry in a polite manner. And ask her why? But still she answered angrily emphasizing we shouldn’t go near cause’ we’re not allowed. One Japanese old man who saw what’s going on between the three of us was a bit maybe embarrassed too and said sorry because like what we did, he went near. But she responded so well with the old man saying that “ No, it’s okay. You can come closer.” “T’was only the foreigners are not allowed because they didn’t make reservation.” She said that in Japanese but of course, we understood what she’s saying. In this case, may I please suggest to the property owner to make notice that before drawing closer to their area, visitors should make reservation. We were really very, very disappointed with the old Japanese woman who wasn’t well- mannered that time dealing...