What to know
The Shirakawa-go (白川郷) and neighboring Gokayama (五箇山) regions line the Shogawa River Valley in the remote mountains spanning Gifu and Toyama Prefectures. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, they are renowned for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some over 250 years old.
Gassho-zukuri means "built like hands in prayer," as the steep thatched roofs resemble Buddhist monks' hands pressed together. This architectural style evolved over generations to withstand the region's heavy winter snowfall. The roofs, constructed without nails, create large attic spaces once used for silkworm cultivation.
Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go's largest village and main attraction, makes an excellent day trip from Takayama or a stop on the bus route between Takayama and Kanazawa. For the best experience, stay overnight in one of the farmhouses, many of which now operate as minshuku.
Gokayama is harder to reach, requiring a bus change in Ogimachi. Less developed and less crowded than Shirakawa-go, its villages are smaller, more intimate, and have fewer modern intrusions. The nicest villages are Suganuma and Ainokura.
