Planning a trip to Shirakawa-go for an amazing autumn or winter experience this 2024? This first timer's travel guide to Shirakawa-go will provide you with useful and easy-to-follow information on how to get there, itinerary, where to stay, and a lot of travel tips and reminders.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 1995, Shirakawa-go is a small traditional village famous for its clusters of traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Along with Gokayama, this amazing cultural property is consisted of scenic and secluded mountain villages that spans from Gifu to Toyama Prefectures over an area of 68 hectares in central Japan. "Gassho" means the act of prayer and the highlight of the village is seeing the farmhouses with gassho-zukuri roof, whose slanted thatched roofs resemble hands in prayer. They are architecturally designed to easily shed snow from their roofs during winter, some of which are more around 100 to 300 hundred years old and have stand the test of time.
First Timer's Travel Guide to Shirakawa-go 2024
JAPAN TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
- Airport to Nagoya City Railway Ticket - Get from Central Japan International Airport to Nagoya City in as fast as 28 minutes with this railway transfer. This is one of the fastest options to get to the city from the airport, be sure to book your tickets in advance!
- Private Nagoya Airport Transfer - Enjoy hassle-free and convenient transfer from Chubu Centrair International Airport to your hotel.
- 4G WiFi Device or a 4G eSIM for Japan from Softbank - Don't forget to rent a portable WiFi device or get an eSIM to stay connected to the internet in Japan, for your Instagram moments, and also for navigation, finding the best restaurants, and many more.
- Hotels in Shirakawa-go - Search for the hotels in Shirakawago. From budget hostels and capsule hotels, to luxurious hotels, you'll certainly find the best hotel that will meet your needs and preferences. If you wish to just visit Shirakawa-go on a day tour, you may stay at the many hotels in Nagoya or stay at hotels in Takayama.
- Shoryudo Highway Buss Pas - Travel with ease and comfortably around Japan’s Chubu Hokuriku region with a Shoryudo Highway Bus Pass! Enjoy discount on bus fares and trips around the Takayama, Shirakawago, Nagoya and more locations with one pass!
- Japan Rail Pass - If you wish to travel to other prefectures, I highly recommend getting a JR Pass! It is available 7, 14 or 21 days unlimited travel around Japan including bullet trains or Shinkansen!
FIRST VISIT: Autumn Season
Most of the time, we seek culture everywhere we travel - especially abroad. Isn't it? If you've been following this blog, you'll know that I love seeing old structures and heritage houses. That is why, I am so happy when Cebu Pacific told us that part of our itinerary on our Nagoya Japan familiarization tour is a visit to the historic village of Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. We specifically went to the Ogimachi Village which is the largest village and one of the main attractions of Shirakawa-go Traditional Village.
Shirakawa-go is among Japan's most famous UNESCO Heritage sites. Many tourists come to Shirakawago to see its famed Gassho-style farmhouses that are mostly constructed between the end of the Edo period and the end of the Meiji period. These houses' were built without any nails and has a steep roof (between 45 and 60 degrees) - designed so that snow won't pile up on them in winter.
Upon arrival, we first visited the Shirakawa-go Shiroyama Observatory Deck where you could see how beautiful the village is from above. It's definitely one of the best places to admire the absolute beauty of Shirakawa-go. After about 30-45 minutes, we went down to explore the village.
Exploring the village by foot is the best way to experience Shirakawa-go. The village is filled with several architectural marvels, museums, historical sites, and breathtaking landscapes. I felt like I was walking on an open air museum as we roam around the village seeing rows of several dozens of well-preserved gassho-zukuri farmhouses.
What I loved most during our visit to Shirakawa-go is the chance to enter one of the houses for us to see how they live. One is the Wada House which is 300—year old house and is considered as the largest Gassho house in Shirakawa-go. As a museum, we were able to tour the huge house starting from its ground floor up to the attic. The fun part was when we met the owners and they graciously toured us around their house. I even had a selfie!
Walking around the village, you'll also see some interesting structures as well as homes with gift and souvenir shops where you could buy some "pasalubong" for your family and friends back home. It is also the best place to try some local delicacies! There are also restuarants. amd some of the shops also sell a variety of local eats.
REMINDER: Most of the houses at Shirakawago are private properties and are used until today as residences. Some are open to the public and some are not. While touring around, always ask permission before entering any property. Tone down your voice, and always be mindful that the owners still reside in them.
SECOND VISIT: WINTER SEASON
Last year, I went back to Shirakawa-go to experience winter and I am so happy that I did. As a village located in a valley on a mountainous region, it experiences considerable amount of snowfall which makes it a must-visit during the winter season in Japan. It was during our Tokyo-Nagoya trip which we specifically included a visit to Shirakawa-go village on a day tour, with Nagoya as our home-base.
From Nagoya, we took a bus using our Shoryudo Highway Bus Pass. Transportation is not cheap in Japan. Using this pass, you can get to enjoy unlimited travel around the Chubu Hokuriku region of Japan which includes Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazama, Toyama and Nagoya areas. You can choose between 3 - 5 days, but we specifically bought the Takayama 3 Day Bus Pass which gives us unlimited bus rides in Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa Course for 3 days. It also includes 1-way trip between Nagoya and Chubu Centrair International Airport (via rail or Centrair Limousine). Using this pass is definitely one of the most economical way to explore around Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa areas in Central Japan. I highly recommend that you get this pass to save a lot on your transportation expenses.
Visiting Shirakawa-go Village during winter is totally different and one-of-a-kind experience for me. It's my first time to experience winter which I only dreamed of when I was a kid. We enjoyed walking around the village while admiring the farm houses enveloped in thick snow. Although we didn't experience snowfall, just the experience of being there and playing with snow in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it such a wonderful experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
From the village, we also took a short shuttle bus ride to the Shirakawa-go Shiroyama Observatory Deck where we witnessed a magical and panoramic views of the gassho-style houses and its surrounding mountains. It's like a postcard right in front of me! Don't miss this when visiting Shirakawa-go.
Shirakawa-go is definitely a must-visit UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan! Our Shirakawa-go winter experience is certainly one of my best trips ever and I'm glad I went back to experience winter at Shirakawa-go!
For ease and convenience, you can book a Shirakawa Village and Takayama Day Tour from Nagoya. |
When is the best time to visit Shirakawa-go?
Japan enjoys 4 distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Although, you can visit Shirakawa-go all-year-round, for me the best time to visit it is during winter time. Having been there during autumn and winter, there is really nothing more than spectacular than seeing the whole village covered with thick snow. But if you wish to visit it in other seasons, I think the village is also lovely with autumn leaves or cherry blossoms.
How many days to spend in Shirakawa-go?
You can visit Shirakawa-go on a day tour coming from Nagoya. If you have more time, you can visit it for 2 days along with Takayama Village and another UNESCO World Heritage Site Gokayama Ainokura. Or a combined Shirakawa-go-Takayama or Shirakawa-go-Gokayama both on day tours. You may refer to the sample Shirakawa-go itineraries below.
Sample Shirakawa-go Itineraries
A visit to Shirakawa-go is an ideal day trip from Nagoya to Takayama or a stop on the bus journey if you're traveling from Takayama, Gifu Prefecture going back to Nagoya City. Here are some tours that you could join/avail and itineraries that you could follow.
Takayama and Shirakawa-go Itinerary from Nagoya
Joining a group tour is one of the most convenient and hassle-free way to explore Shirakawa-go Village and Takayama from Nagoya. Good thing is that Klook offers this packaged tour which includes roundtrip transfers (Nagoya-Takayama-Shirakawa-Nagoya), Chinese-speaking staff, English-speaking staff, free storage service and tax.
- 08:30 am - departure, meet-up at Yuri Fountain at Nagoya Station
- 11:00 am - visit Takayama Historic District
- 02:00 pm - explore Shirakawago Village
- 07:00 pm - return to JR Nagoya Station
Shirakawago, Takayama, and Kanazawa 2 Days Tour from Nagoya
- Stroll freely in Takayama Ancient Street, used to be called "Little Kyoto", visit the Yamen of the Edo Period, taste 5A-grade Hida Beef Sushi and Hida Beef Skewers, etc.
- Explore the mysteries of Shirakawa Township, a world heritage site, and the specialty coffee shops in the village are also worth visiting.
- Kanazawa foil gold ice cream and facial masks are worth a try.
- Kenrokuen is one of the three famous gardens in Japan, especially famous for its snow scenery.
Shirakawago & Hida Takayama 2D1N Tour from Osaka
- Reach the top of 2,450 meters high above clouds, and wander along Otani Snow Wall.
- Hassle-free bus ride directly to the Northern Japan Alps at an elevation of 2,450 meters for its splendid landscape.
- Make your experience in spring's silver world, and feel the overwhelming Snow Wall 20 meters high.
- Enjoy a free stroll in World Heritage Shirakawa-go and Hida Takayama.
Gokayama Ainokura and Shirakawago Itinerary from Takayama
Another option is to visit the two historic mountain villages of Gokayama and Shirakawago in a convenient bus tour. The tour package includes bus transportation, lunch, Shirakawago Village and Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum admission, and English speaking guide fee.
- 08:20 am - meet up at Takayama Nohi Bus Center Ticket Office
- 08:30 am - depart from Takayama Nohi Bus Center
- Explore Gokayama Ainokura Village by yourself (60 min)
- Lunch at Shirakawago (Countryside Cuisine)
- 03:10 pm - arrive at Takayama Nohi Bus Center
How to get to Shirakawa-go?
FROM NAGOYA
From Nagoya, go to the bus station and take the Meitetsu bus going to Shirakawa-go Village. Travel time is around 3 hours from Nagoya and the bus stops right at the tourist information center at the entrance of the Shirakawago Village. This is what we took to get there using a Shoryudo Highway Bus Pass. I highly recommend that you get this pass to save on transportation expenses.
FROM OSAKA
Take the JR Shinkansen train bound for Nagoya from Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka. You could take the Shinkansen trains Nozomi, Kodoma, or Hikari. If you're using a JR Pass, you can take the Kodoma or Hikari trains. Reserved seat is around 3,200 PHP or 6,600 JPY and non-reserved seat is around 2,800 PHP or 5,800 JPY. Travel time from Osaka to Nagoya is around 1 hour.
Upon arrival at Nagoya Station, walk to Meitetsu bus ticketing office and buy a bus ticket to Shirakawa-go via Gifu. Bus fare is around 1,900 PHP or 3,900 JPY. To save on travel expenses, I highly recommend that you get a Shoryudo Highway Bus Pass. This will save you a lot on transportation expenses.
Travel time from Nagoya to Shirakawago is around 3 hours with 2 stops. It will bring you directly to Shirakawa-go tourist information center which is just a short walk to the Shirakawa-go Village. Upon arrival, be sure to go first to the tourist information center to ask for the bus schedule and reserve a seat on the bus going back to Nagoya.
FROM TAKAYAMA
To get to Shirakawago from Takayama, go to Takayama Nohi Bus Center and buy bus tickets for around 1,100 PHP or 2,400 JPY. Take the Nohi Bus bound for Shirakawa-go and alight at Ogimachi Bus stop in Shirakawa-go. You can also use your Takayama 3 Day Bus Pass (Shoryudo Highway Bus Pass) when traveling from Takayama to Shirakawago.
FROM KANAZAWA
Go to Kanazawa Station's bus stop #2 at East Gate bus terminal and take the Hokutetsu Bus that runs regular highway bus service to Shirakawa-go. Travel time takes about 1 hour and 20 munites from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go and one-way bus fare is around 885 PHP or 1,850 JPY.
FROM TOKYO
Coming from Tokyo, you may take the Shinkansen train to Nagoya and then follow the steps above. If you're on a budget, you may also take the overnight bus from Tokyo to Nagoya via Willer Bus. Travel time takes about 6 hours from Tokyo to Nagoya and bus fare is from 3,000 - 4,000 JPY depending on the date of your trip. You can book bus tickets thru the Willer Bus website.
TRAVEL TIP:
Buy a Takayama 3 Day Bus Pass (Shoryudo Highway Bus Pass) for only ₱ 3,597 at Klook.com. This will save a lot on travel expenses. If you buy your tickets at the bus station it's already ₱ 1,900 pesos per way from Nagoya to Shirakawa-go. That's ₱ 3,800 pesos for a roundtrip bus fare! But if you have a 3-day Takayama Shoryudo Bus Pass, you only pay ₱ 3,597 and get to explore Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa on unlimited bus rides for 3 days plus a one-way transfer to the airport. That's a lot of savings compared to buying your tickets at the bus stations.
GREAT DISCOUNTS ON JR PASS
Where to stay?
Here are some of the top-rated hotels, guesthouses, and inns near Shirakawa-go, Takayama and Nagoya with excellent to exceptional guest reviews and ratings. Book one of these in advance and save as much as 45% off on published room rates if you book in advance!
Best Hotels in/near Shirakawa-go Historic Village
Shirakawago no Yu Hotel
Location: 337,Ogi-machi,shiwakara-mura,Ono-gun, Shirakawago, Shirakawago, Japan, 501-5627BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Shiroyamakan
Location: Ogimachi 1168-1, Shirakawago, Shirakawago, Japan, 501-5627BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Fujiya Hotel
Location: Hirase 325-1, Shirakawago, Shirakawago, Japan, 501-5507BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Best Hotels in Takayama, Gifu
Country Hotel Takayama
Location: 6-38,Hanasato-cho, Takayama, Takayama, Japan, 506-0026BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Takayama Ouan Hotel
Location: 4-313 Hanasatocho, Gifu Prefecture, Takayama, Takayama, Japan, 506-0026BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Auberge Hidanomori
Location: 3349-1 Shingu-cho, Takayama, Takayama, Japan, 506-0035BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Miyama Ouan Kyoritsu Resort
Location: 229 Hirayu, Onsengou, Okuhida, Takayama, Takayama, Japan, 506-1433BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Ryokan Oyado Koto No Yume
Location: 6-11 Hanasato-cho, Takayama, Takayama, Japan, 506-0026BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Best Hotels in Nagoya
Vessel Hotel Campana Nagoya
Location: 2-30-7 Meieki, Nakamura, Nagoya Station, Nagoya, Japan, 450-0002BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Nishitetsu Hotel Croom Nagoya
Location: 4-3,3, Nishiki, Naka-ku, Sakae, Nagoya, Japan, 460-0003BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Nagoya Prince Hotel Sky Tower
Location: 4-60-12 Hiraikecho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya Station, Nagoya, Japan, 453-6131BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Hotel Forza Nagoya Sakae
Location: 3-17-25, Sakae, Nagoya, Japan, 460-0008BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Tokyo Daiichi Hotel Nishiki
Location: 3-18-21 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Sakae, Nagoya, Japan, 460-0003BOOK HERE: Check room rates and room availability
Cheap Flights from Manila to Japan
Nagoya is the gateway to Gifu if you're coming from the Philippines. Cebu Pacific Air, the leading airline in the Philippines, flies between Manila and Nagoya (Chubu Centrair International Airport) every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Book your flights through the CebuPacificAir.com. For updates and seat sale announcements, check out www.facebook.com/cebupacificair.
Thank you Cebu Pacific Air for bringing us to Gifu Prefecture during Autumn and for giving us the opportunity to see one of 19 world heritage sites in Japan.
SEE ALSO: HOW TO APPLY FOR A JAPAN TOURIST VISA IN THE PHILIPPINES (with List of Requirements and Steps in Application)
NOTE: Our Shirakawa-Go autumn experience happened during our Nagoya Familiarization Tour last October 6-10, 2015 and was organized by Cebu Pacific Air. Thank you for inviting me to be part of this trip!
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How long should we stay to be able to cover all sights in the village?
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