Shirakawago Winter Guide: A Dreamy Japan Experience

Tucked away within the Japanese Alps is Shirakawago, a picturesque village that will bring you back in time. There are many wonderful places to see in Japan, but this Shirakawago winter experience will make you feel like you’re in a real-life snow globe. The triangular gassho-zukuri style farmhouses sitting against the dramatic mountainous backdrop will capture your heart the moment you arrive.

Ogimachi village, the largest one in Shirakawago, is located within the Gifu prefecture in central Japan. In 1995, it was classified as an Unesco World Heritage site along with it’s less touristy sister Gokayama. It’s been around since the 11th century, and its rich history and culture have been well preserved. The homes were constructed with high roofs to hold strong against heavy snow.

We spent our time here as part of a 3 day weekend trip from Tokyo, which included Takayama. In this post I’ll share more about how to get here, where to stay, and what to do. Although this focuses more on the winter season, it’s wonderful to visit any time of the year. Each season brings something unique to your time here.

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Unique Japan Destinations: Shirakawago Winter Guide

In This Article
How to Get to Shirakawago
Where to Stay in Shirakawago
Shirakawago Winter Experience

A snowy welcome to Shirakawago

How to Get to Shirakawago

Getting to the village of Shirakawago can seem daunting at first, but I hope this post will help you with your journey. There are a few different options depending on your itinerary, which I’ve outlined below. The total travel time from Tokyo is between 4-5 hours. It’s best to visit for a weekend or 3 day trip, and combine with areas around.

Train from Tokyo via Nagoya

For our trip, we decided to travel via Nagoya. The Nozomi express train from Tokyo only takes about 1.5 hours total. Once you arrive in Nagoya you will have to switch to a different train. You can choose to spend some time here, or continue on. If you’re hungry, we highly recommend you to try some miso-nikomi udon in the station, a Nagoya specialty.

Nagoya to Takayama

From Nagoya you have to take the Limited Express Hida to Takayama, which takes about 2.5 hours. The views from the train are just spectacular, as you venture into the mountainous regions of Gifu and the scenery is worth it alone for this trip. The seating is very comfortable and there is a food cart that makes rounds if needed. Along the way, you’ll pass through Gero Onsen, an optional add-on if you have more days to spend in this area.

Optional Tour
If you’re coming from Nagoya, this day trip to Takayama and Shirakawago includes transportation, lunch and a guide. A great option if you are a first timer, or have difficulty navigating a new place.

Takayama to Shirakawago

From Takayama you take the Nohi bus from the Takayama Bus Terminal. The driving time takes about 45-50 minutes with stunning views as you drive through the mountains. You’ll be dropped off directly inside the village.

Train from Tokyo via Toyama or Kanazawa

Some other options are to take the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki) to Toyama or Kanazawa station, a 2 hour trip. Then from the station you take the Nohi bus which takes another 1-2 hours to reach Shirakawago.

Standing outside of Magoemon

Where to Stay in Shirakawago

Staying overnight in one of the gassho-zukuri farmhouses is the best way to experience your time here. The house itself will provide an authentic stay, but you can also spend some time exploring once the tourist crowds leave. There are several farmhouses to choose from, but we ultimately decided upon Magoemon due to availability.

The entire stay really felt cozy and comfortable. The rooms have a space heater to stay warm, and the meals are served in a common room with all of the guests. The bathrooms are shared and there’s also a private hot bath to use. They provided boots, which came in handy in the heavy snow. It’s a very humble stay, so don’t expect luxury. But you can expect a soulful taste of Japan here.

Honzen-ryōri Japanese meal served at Magoemon

Honzen-Ryori Dinner

One thing that stood out during our stay was the meals being served communal style around an irori (sunken fireplace.) A traditional Honzen-ryōri Japanese meal was served sourcing from local ingredients. Some dishes included grilled ayu fish, eggplant, tofu dengaku and much more deliciousness. Afterwards you can sit by the fire and relax a bit, before heading off into the hot bath to warm up before sleep.

Here are some other lodging options in the area that got great reviews:

Shirakawago Terrace: A Japanese wooden house hostel located about a 10 minute walk from Shirakawago village. All rooms are tatami style with futon beds. It has a shared kitchen for guest use, as well as free breakfast included.

Holiday House Shirakawago: An private apartment that is great for families. Shirakawago is an 10 minute walk from here, and there are also bikes for rent. Continental breakfast is included. Can sleep up to 9 people.

See more places to stay near Shirakawago.

A lone house at the base of the observation deck overlooking the village

Shirakawago Winter Experience

Although the village is quite small, there is plenty to keep you busy. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Eat and Enjoy

Each region in Japan has its own special cuisine. I just love sampling the food in a new place. As you walk through the village you may come across some street foods which are always great to try. We had some beef buns and croquettes close to the main central area. Ochiudo is a delicious comfort food cafe that is one of the best in the area and well worth the wait. Although we never made it here due to limited timing, this soba restaurant is a solid option. Coffee Hina is a cute little cafe that serves delicious coffee, sweets and light cuisine.

Exploring around the village during nightfall means having it all to yourself!

Walk Around, Explore and Capture It

Being in a gorgeous village with a blanket of snow means you must walk around and admire it. There are some amazing photo opportunities here and incredible beauty all around. The earthy tones of the homes against the pure white snow is such a nice contrast. Icicles dangle from the roofs and the scenic Shogawa river runs along the village. Build a snowman, have a snowball fight and pretend like it’s a snow day. It truly felt like being in a winter wonderland.

Go Shopping

Scattered around the village are some small shops. You can buy some local sweets and snacks, as well as souvenirs to take back as a memory. Since we collect magnets we decided to grab some, as well as some adorable sweets covered with gassho farmhouses. There are also unique handicrafts, sake, homemade miso, dried noodles, and teas that are great to buy here as well.

Take a Tour of the House Museums

Another thing to see are the farmhouses that have become museums. At Wada House you can gain more insight into what life used to be like in the village. There are artifacts on display, and more info about the Wada family history. Silk was also produced locally here, and you can see silkworms in action at Tooyama House.

The gorgeous views from the observation deck

Head to the Observation Deck for the Views

If you want to see an overall view of the entire village, there’s an observation deck located nearby. In order to get there you have to take the shuttle bus, which leaves from the central area of the village, near the bus station. The cost is 200 yen and the trip is about 5-10 minutes. You can also walk up, but it takes much longer. You’ll be amazed by the views here, which includes the beautiful snow-covered mountains. Near the observation deck is a souvenir shop which also has snacks and hot drinks.

Shirakawago Winter Light Up Event

Every year in the winter after the New Year, there’s a light up event in Shirakawago. This is a special and magical time where the houses are all lit up, and adds even more charm to the village. It’s a very popular event, so be aware there will be a lot of tourists. Unfortunately we were here too early for it, but hope to make it someday! It seems for 2019 they are doing a lottery system since it’s become too popular to accommodate the crowds.

Take a Day Trip to Gokayama

Also within the area are the villages of Gokayama. These ones are more remote and less popular, giving an truly local experience. Ainokura is the larger village here and very remote. You can really get a sample of the traditional culture here, and also see how washi paper is made. Suganama is the other village in Gokayama and has a few museums, and well preserved farmhouses. These feel and look very similar to Shirakawago, but a lot less touristy.

We hope this post inspired you to plan your own Shirakawago winter adventure. It’s truly like taking a step into the past, and allows a glimpse into the history and culture of this area. Japan is a country with such a diversity of beauty, and this is a must see, whether you’re an avid traveler here, or even if it’s your first time. And winter is a magical time to be here!

Looking for another Tokyo day trip idea? Check out our guide to Izu Peninsula and Kamakura.

Have you been to Shirakawago? If so we’d love to hear what you think!

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