Shirakawa-go was a dream come true for me and my wife. We were lucky to have friends living in Gifu Prefecture, which meant we could visit one of our dream destinations without joining a tour. Having them with us made the experience even more special.
The drive through the mountainous areas of Gifu Prefecture was long. We passed through numerous tunnels and saw snow-capped mountains along the way. Even before reaching Shirakawa-go, seeing Japan’s rural side was already a treat for us.
It was so cold when we arrived in Shirakawa-go. There wasn’t much snow during our visit, but the temperature was freezing! If you’re visiting during winter, make sure to bring gloves, a beanie, and plenty of warm clothes. Be prepared!
As we entered the village, the first thing that caught our attention was the distinctive triangular-shaped roofs made of thick thatch. There were tourists everywhere, coming from different parts of Japan and around the world. The whole place felt like a fairy-tale setting in the middle of a rural village.
They say the perfect time to visit Shirakawa-go is during winter, when the village is covered in thick snow. But even without the snow, Shirakawa-go still has its own charm.
The houses in Shirakawa-go are famous for their steep thatched roofs, traditionally made from dried pampas grass. The steep design helps heavy snow slide off the roof during winter.
We hiked to the Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck to see an aerial view of the village. It was a surreal experience. We felt like we were looking at a live painting, surrounded by the mountains and the cold winter air.
When we descended from the observation deck, we had lunch at one of the traditional restaurants in the village. We ordered a set meal with cold noodles, rice, and fish.
Although we had our friends with us on the trip, it was refreshing to meet a fellow Filipino working at the restaurant. She actually gave us recommendations on what to order and even gave us some complimentary extra rice. Haha!
My friend and her family decided to stay and relax at the restaurant, while Lana and I decided to explore more of the village and visit one of the traditional houses.
While exploring Shirakawa-go itself is free, some historic houses charge an entrance fee. We visited Wada House, one of the largest traditional Gasshō-zukuri houses in the village. The admission fee was ¥400 for adults when we visited.
We were amazed to see the inside of the house and learn how people lived in a traditional village like this. The construction of these houses is also fascinating, as traditional Japanese joinery techniques were used extensively instead of relying heavily on nails.
Shirakawa-go was indeed a window into the past—a glimpse of how communities once thrived in rural Japan through all seasons.
It also reminded us that these places are more than just beautiful tourist destinations. They are part of Japan’s history and culture, and preserving these treasures is important so that future generations can continue to experience and appreciate them.
If you want a hassle free travel to Shirakawa-go, you can book a tour via Klook.
