Shirakawa Japan is a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture. It is best known for being the site of Shirakawa-gō, a small, traditional village showcasing a building style known as gasshō-zukuri. Together with Gokayama in Nanto, Toyama, it is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
As of 1 January 2019, the village had an estimated population of 1,630 in 588 households and a population density of 4.6 persons per km2. The total area of the village was 356.55 km2 (137.66 sq mi). Wikipedia.com
Shirakawa–go is a World Heritage Site in Gifu Prefecture and offers many interesting things for such a small place. The Historic Village of Shirakawa-go, Wada House which is a thatched-roof Gassho, Michinoeki Shirakawago, Miboro Dam Side Park, the Hakusan Shirakawago White Road, Hakusan Mountain which perfect for climbing, Waterfall, Ogimachi Castle, Shiroyama Observation Deck, and others
Accommodation
Besides the hotels TOYOTA Shirakawa–Go Eco-Institute and Hakusankan, there are very unique guesthouses ( Gassho Zukuri) like Guesthouse KEI, Shiroyamacan, Shirakawago-Shimizu with an over 200-year-old history, Magoemon, Yokichi where you will find traditional Japanese hospitality and others
Fresh ingredients from the mountains and rivers, as well as specialties like gohei mochi , Hida beef ( best wagyu cuts ), Tochi (Japanese horse chestnut) mochi. Most famous restaurants are Kita no Sho, Irori, Soba Wakimoto, Kondo Shoten, Zen, Suttate Nabe
Historic Village of Shirakawago is an open-air museum preserving and exhibiting Shirakawago historical and important buildings, other ones to visit are Doburoku Festival Museum, Kanda House which offers artifacts from the community is a place to relax and have a tea, Tajima House Museum of Silk Culture, and Myozenji Temple Museum
There are two important events in Shirakawago, the Doburoku Festival, an annual autumn festival for home-brewed unrefined sake; from late September to October and during January and February, Shirakawago’s gassho-zukuri houses are illuminated at night.
Shopping
On Shirakawa Kaido Street you can find souvenir shops and snack stalls. Michinoeki that sells many local products and souvenirs of Shirakawago.
Tips and Lifestyle
Shirakawago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Most places are cash only
Most places are private property – ask for permission
It is a great place to relax with recreational facilities such as hot spring bath, gardens, spas.
Shirakawa-go is best accessed by bus from JR Takayama.
Shirakawa Japan is a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture. A traditional village showcasing a building style gasshō-zukuri.
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