What to do in Shirakawa

This UNESCO village features distinctive gasshō-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs built for heavy snow. Experience traditional rural life by staying overnight in these centuries-old architectural marvels.

Step into a living museum of gassho-zukuri farmhouses with their distinctive steep thatched roofs built for heavy snow. Inside, traditional tools and artefacts reveal the ingenious adaptations of rural Japanese life.

This steeply-thatched gasshō-zukuri house from 1850 showcases ingenious Japanese design built for heavy snowfall. Step inside to experience rural life around the irori hearth.

Soothe your body in the mineral-rich waters of Shirakawago Hirase Onsen from sacred Mt. Hakusan. The open-air baths offer spectacular mountain views while the therapeutic waters work their skin-beautifying magic.

This roadside station features a free Gassho Museum showcasing the region's unique architectural heritage. Explore traditional craftsmanship before sampling local Hida beef dishes in the on-site restaurant.

Step into a living museum of traditional Japanese farmhouses with distinctive steep thatched roofs. Explore 25 preserved buildings and experience sericulture demonstrations in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Myozenji in Shirakawa. Wander the forests or discover the area's waterfalls.

Step into Japan's largest gasshō-zukuri farmhouse, with steep thatched roofs that sheltered silk farmers from heavy snow. Explore the interior with its traditional irori hearth and glimpse rural aristocratic life from the Edo period.