Shirakawa-go Historic Village

▶ Enjoy Traditional Wisdom and Skills, and Magnificent Nature
In Shirakawa-go, embraced by the great nature of Mt. Hakusan, there are hot springs, campgrounds, and ski resorts that make use of these natural blessings, as well as nature walks where you can enjoy the scenery of each season. At the “Gassho-zukuri Minkaen,” where 25 gassho-style farmhouses have been relocated, another attraction is the many hands-on experiences unique to the Gassho village, such as traditional plant dyeing, making straw sandals, and making soba noodles. At the National Important Cultural Property, the Former Toyama Family House, experience events are also held where you can make “Suttate-jiru,” a local dish beloved in auspicious settings such as celebrations and memorial services, using a boxed lunch made from local ingredients prepared by a popular village restaurant, and soybeans ground with a stone mill and broth made from a base of miso and soy sauce.
In addition, at the National Important Cultural Property “Wada House,” a representative thatched gassho-style residence in Shirakawa-go where life has continued for about 300 years since its construction, you can tour gassho-style houses and see the artifacts and folk tools that were actually used, offering a glimpse into the wisdom and skills of everyday life.
Hirase Onsen, located in the southern part of Shirakawa-go and only a 15-minute drive from the gassho-style village, is a hot spring resort supplied by hot spring water drawn 13 km from the foot of Mt. Hakusan. At the source area of the hot spring, the Ōshirakawa Garden, you can enjoy a rich natural landscape with lush beech forests and emerald-green lakes.

▶ Shirakawa-go, Rich in Historic Festivals and Traditional Performing Arts
Within the Hida region, Shirakawa Village is an area of steep mountain ridges, with the Shogawa River winding between the precipitous slopes and villages formed along its basin. Shirakawa Village is also one of Japan’s snowiest regions, and it was once called a remote and unexplored area because winter snow cut it off from the surrounding areas. In Shirakawa-go, events are held that preserve customs of dedication and prayers for abundant harvests while limiting exchanges with other areas.
Among them, the Doburoku Festival is a historic festival unique to Shirakawa-go, held in the autumn of plenty. At each shrine in the districts of Shirakawa Village, sacred rituals are performed, including a ceremonial procession, lion dance, folk songs, and dances associated with history and folktales. As its name suggests, the festival’s distinguishing feature is that doburoku, a form of unrefined sake, is used as sacred sake and also served to attendees.
The Rice Planting Festival, held in May, lets visitors see scenes of rice planting from long ago. The saotome of Shirakawa-go hand-plant rice while singing planting songs against the backdrop of gassho-style houses. Also, on the afternoon of New Year’s Day, a group from the Harukoma Preservation Society of Shirakawa-go, disguised as the Seven Lucky Gods and dancers, visits the gassho village and dances from house to house to songs in the “Harukoma” event. Many other events unique to Shirakawa-go are held, passing down its history and traditions.

▶ The Four Seasons of Shirakawa-go
Spring
Temperatures begin to rise and the snow starts melting around March. Cherry blossoms bloom from mid-April to early May, and the weather gradually becomes warmer.

Summer
Fresh greenery sprouts and the mountains turn lush and green. Surrounded by greenery, Shirakawa-go offers a refreshing comfort that cannot be experienced in the city.

Autumn
Shirakawa-go in autumn, colored by mountains of brocade. You can see beautiful scenery as the entire village is dyed in autumn hues. The best time to view the fall foliage is from late October to mid-November.

Winter
During this snowy season, Shirakawa-go’s winter highlight, the illumination event, is held. It is a magical and beautiful season with pure white landscapes stretching out before you.