ABOUT
About this spot
Shirakawa-go, in Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture, is a historic village representative of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lined with "gassho-zukuri" houses, characterized by steeply pitched thatched roofs, it is an extremely rare place in Japan where people still carry on their daily lives. The highlight of a stroll is the view from the "Shiroyama Viewpoint," which overlooks the entire village. The panorama makes you feel as if you have wandered into a fairy tale, and the snowy landscape of winter, when everything turns silvery white, and the illumination at night are breathtakingly beautiful. Its great charm is that it shows completely different faces with each season: cherry blossoms in spring, vivid fresh greenery in summer, and autumn leaves coloring the mountains in fall. In the village are houses open to visitors, including the nationally designated Important Cultural Property "Wada House," where you can learn in detail about the wisdom and traditional lifestyle of the past. There are also many restaurants serving local specialties such as Hida beef and gohei-mochi, as well as cafes in converted old houses. It is recommended for trips with friends and family, or for immersing yourself in the Japanese rural landscape alone at your own pace. Why not leave the bustle of the city behind and spend a soothing time here?
Last updated March 27, 2026