Shirakawa-Go

Shirakawa-go is a small village with traditional Japanese houses and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Shirakawa-go is located in Gifu Prefecture. Nowadays, it is very difficult to find a traditional Japanese house in Japan. However, you can see them and find their traditional lifestyle here in Shirakawa-go. Shirakawa-go is a village located near the Shogawa river in Gifu Prefecture. Tohyama-ke Folk Museum, Gassho-zukuri House, Shirakawa-go The traditional Japanese houses in Shirakawa-go are called Gassho-zukuri (literally means ‘prayer-hands construction’) which is an architectural style with a thatched and steeply slanting roof resembling two hands joined in prayer. These houses are very strong and, in combination with the unique properties of the thatching, allow the houses to withstand and shed the weight of the region’s heavy snowfalls in winter. The houses are large, with three to four stories encompassed between the low eaves, and intended to house large extended families and a highly-efficient space for a variety of works. You can visit inside of some of the houses in Shirakawa-go and find traditional Japanese lifestyle. Shirakawa-go is designated as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage. Tohyama-ke Folk Museum, Gassho-zukuri House, Shirakawa-go Old Toyama Folk House Museum Old Toyama Folk House Museum was a house where Toyama family lived. This typical Gassho-zukuri house is believed to have been built in 1827. The 1st floor was used for residential, the 2nd to 4th floor were used for sericulture and the basement was used for manufacturing gunpowder. This house was opened for public as a museum in 1967. Open: 10am – 4pm, close on Wednesdays Admission: 300 yen Michi-no-eki (Road Station) Shirakawa-go Michi-no-eki is an information center for tourists located along a major road of the tourist spots throughout Japan. Each Michi-no-eki has its unique style representing its local characteristics such as selling local foods and souvenirs, providing restaurants, free foot spa etc. Michi-no-eki Shirakawa-go has a museum called ‘Gassho Museum’ as well as a souvenir shop and a restaurant. Open: 8:30am – 5pm, 7 days a week Michi-no-eki (Road Station), Shirakawa-go Shirakawa-go Model Plan - Itinerary   Station/Stop Transport Duration Places to visit JR Nagoya Gifu Bus 2h45min Shirakawa-go Walk 3min Shirakawa-go Old Toyama Folk House Museum Taxi 5min Michi-no-eki Shirakawa-go Shirakawa-go Gifu Bus 2h45min JR Nagoya Note: • Gifu Bus departs from JR Nagoya Station at 9 am (only one service a day). • Gifu Bus departs from Shirakawa-go at 3:35 pm (only one service a day).   Shirakawa-go Pictures See more pictures of Shirakawa-go in a picture gallery. |