Shirakawa-go Village

Nestled deep in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is one of Japan’s most iconic historic villages, and a World Heritage Site. Famous for its gassho-zukuri (steep-roofed) thatched roof houses, whose A-frame roofs resemble hands joined in prayer (“gassho”), the settlement developed primarily as a farming community. Today, over 100 of these traditional homes remain, many preserved in their original form, giving visitors a glimpse into rural life centuries ago.
A highlight of the village is the Wada House, the largest surviving farmhouse and an Important Cultural Property. Built in the late Edo period, it showcases the lifestyle of an affluent village headman (nanushi) family, complete with tatami guest rooms, a Buddhist altar, and a spacious attic once used for raising silkworms.
Surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery and heavy winter snows, Shirakawa-go is exquisitely scenic year-round. You can stroll through the UNESCO-listed Ogimachi district or stay overnight in a thatched roof guesthouse to experience the rustic beams, tatami floors, and Edo-era lifestyle. There are also shops, restaurants, hot springs and more to explore in these idyllic townscapes.