Shirakawago in Gifu is a rare look at a Japan from the distant past. You can see all the best of this farmhouse village right here.
Shirakawago (白川郷) is very famous for its gassho zukkuri, or steep thatched roof houses. Imagine a Japan centuries ago, with no electricity, no internet, radio, TV, cars, trains, or anything else modern that you take for granted. And little news from the outside world coming in. Not to mention bitter winters with snow piling up as high as you are. To deal with the heavy snow, the farmhouses are built so they won’t hold the snow, and the thick layer keeps the heavy rains of Japan out as well.
Shirakawago, along with a similar village, Gokayama in Toyama, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ogimachi in Shirakawago is the biggest with around 152 households and a population of 634 people. Gokayama has far fewer tourists, but is also more trouble to get to.
Shirakawago has become an enormously popular place to visit, and you will find huge crowds of day tripping tourists until the last bus leaves for the day (mostly about 5:30 PM). Those choosing to stay overnight at one of the farmhouses will find a totally different atmosphere after that.
Most people going to Shirakawago are en route to Kanazawa or Takayama. You can leisurely see Shirakawago in just a few hours.
There is no rail access to Shirakawago – the only way in or out is by bus (not covered by the full JR Rail Pass, but is covered by the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, the Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket, and some others), or by rental car. By bus, most people travel from Takayama or Kanazawa.
Bus schedule:
For other great sights in the Chubu Region, be sure to watch the Chubu Region Playlist:
AloJapan.com