Top Things to do in Shirakawa-mura
Top Restaurants in Shirakawa-mura
10 Things to do in Shirakawa-mura That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Shirakawa-mura, Japan including Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Minkaen, The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses, Ogimachi, Shirakawago, Tenshukakau Observatory, Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine Festival Hall, Wada House, Nagase house, Kanda house, Shirakawago Light-up.
Restaurants in Shirakawa-mura
1. Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Minkaen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 414 reviews
Reviewed By Triflyer - India, null
Not to be missed, only regret is that we did not stay back there for the night. We did a day trip by Nohi bus on our way from Kanazawa to Takayama. We took the first bus out from Kanazawa, deposited luggage at the luggage counter behind Nohi bus station office and went on a walking tour around Shirakawa go. Loved in particular the trek up hill and also the one over the bridge on to the waterfalls and the other part of the town. We enjoyed matcha ice cream and food in the small shops along the way. We also visited a small museum which was quite interesting. Delightful place with lovely autumn leaves, beautiful thatched roof houses.
2. The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go Gassho Style Houses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,168 reviews
Reviewed By ToruO - Setagaya, Japan
Luckily the place wasn't so crowded when I went there (ironically, thanks to COVID-19) but the weather was very unstable, thanks to an oncoming typhoon. The traditional thatched roof houses were quite a beauty to look at. Some are open to visitors but charge you a 300 yen admission. As you will be walking around a lot, it's best to visit during spring or fall when the weather is mild. If it weren't for COVID_19, you should definitely book a round trip bus ticket in advance. I traveled from Kanazawa station, and purchased tickets at an information center nearby. There are also tickets to and from Takayama station. Also, there are no trash cans, just like in most Japanese tourist spots. Bring plastic bags to put your trash in, so you can dispose of them when you get back to your hotel.
3. Ogimachi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By thurein_6 - Singapore, Singapore
I have been there in last autumn; it was impeccable time to visit this amazing village surrounded by mountains and divided by a river. It felt amazing just to gaze upon the scenery.
4. Shirakawago
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By docajc
Joined a day tour to Shirakawago and Takayama from Nagoya. It snowed the day before we arrived, so there was a bit of snow over the rooftops of the houses. Not the same as the snow covered roofs we see on pictures, but nevertheless beautiful. We arrived around 3:30pm in the afternoon so most of the tour groups were set to go home. Take note however, that when arriving this late, you might not be able to take the shuttle up to the main observation point as the shuttle service ends at 4pm. It took about 15 to 20 minutes to walk uphill to the observatory but it was worth it as the view from the top was breathtaking. The walk downhill was obviously easier and faster. By 5pm, it starts to get quite dark so there was not much to see anymore. And since it was winter, most shops have already started to close. On the plus side, we got to see the sun set over the horizon, and that view is again a beauty. I would definitely visit again and maybe book an overnight stay early on in order to enjoy the village more.
5. Tenshukakau Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By paddy_snaps_travel
Definitely a must visit location in Shirakawa-go. It's about 30 minutes hike and provides a brilliant birds eye view of entire town. Plus there's ice-cream at the top.
6. Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine Festival Hall
7. Wada House
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 301 reviews
Reviewed By kentQ7529YG - Hong Kong, China
This is the only thatched-roof Village house we have visited (though there are others open to visitors as well). Kanda House was recommended by our tour guide, though it was rather crowded during our visit, it was certainly an eye opener, to experience how life in such houses could be like.
8. Nagase house
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By WEKP - Batavia, United States
I enjoyed this house very much. Lots of interesting items to see on the top floor. Open until 5pm for 300 yen.
9. Kanda house
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By Cavydad - Camarillo, United States
Glimpse of life in the Shirakawa-go village! Hard to imagine living in the house on a snowy, icy, cold day. Make sure to climb the steep stair case and explore all four floors.
10. Shirakawago Light-up
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 48 reviews
The village of Shirakawago becomes a picturesque wonderland in the deep winter months, when many feet of snowfall transform the steepled roofs of its gassho-zukuri farmhouses into a fairy-tale landscape. To enhance this natural beauty, the village carries out illuminations on weekends during January and February. From 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., individual homes are lit from the inside, giving the streets a warm and cozy glow. From 8:00 p.m., the village itself is floodlit. Wander the enchanting streets, or take in a breathtaking view of the entire town by braving the road to Shiroyama Viewpoint.
