Shirakawa

Landmark4.5/5

Shirakawa-go

Steep thatched roofs define this Japanese mountain village. Gasshō-zukuri farmhouses were built to bear heavy snow, and some are more than 250 years old. In Ogimachi, you walk among them in the Shō River valley.

Landmark4.2/5

Wada House

A steep thatched roof rises over this gassho-zukuri residence in Shirakawa-go, built for one of Ogimachi’s influential families. Inside, a hearth sits beneath exposed wooden rafters.

Culture4.3/5

Myozenji

A temple in Shirakawa-go shares the steep thatched roofline of its gassho houses. Inside, old tools fill three levels, and paintings ring the prayer room.

Culture4.3/5

Hachiman Shrine Shirakawa

This Shirakawa shrine stands among tall cedars at the village edge. Ema painted with Higurashi When They Cry characters hang here.

Culture4.4/5

Shirakawa-go Gassho-Zukuri Minka-en

This open-air museum gathers Shirakawa-go’s thatched gassho-style houses in one place. You can step inside each house.

Landmark4.5/5

Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck

This observation deck gives you a bird’s-eye view across Shirakawa-go, with the village spread out below.

Transport4.3/5

Kanazawa Station

Train station with shops, food, restrooms and a bus terminal.

Landmark4/5

Omicho Market

Welcome to Ōmichō Market, a lively and bustling hub of deliciousness in Kanazawa! Get ready to tickle your taste buds with fresh seafood, local produce, and authentic Japanese street food. Stroll through the vibrant stalls, mingle with friendly locals, and don't forget to try the famous Kanazawa gold leaf ice cream! This market is a foodie's paradise and a must-visit destination in Ishikawa, Japan.

Culture4.3/5

Oyama Shrine

This Kanazawa Shinto shrine sits beside a garden with a pond and walking paths. A bridge links the grounds to Kanazawa Castle.

Stay5/5

Minshuku Kanjiya

Built as a traditional “gassho-zukuri” building with a thatched roof, Kanjiya offers a taste of old Japan. Rooms are simple, with heating facilities, green tea and shared bathrooms. Local cuisine and cypress-wood public baths are featured. Guests at Minshuku Kanjiya sleep in Japanese-style futon beds on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. An electric kettle and a low table are provided, and toilets are shared. The hotel is just a 2-minute walk from Myozen-ji Temple and 550 metres from the Wada House. It is a 10-minute walk from Shirakawa Train Station, which is a 40-minute bus ride from JR Takayama Train Station. On-site parking is free. Breakfast and dinner are served at the hotel’s common area, by a traditional hearth.

Stay4.5/5

料理宿 御母衣

Shirakawa ryokan where traditional Japanese meals are a central part of the stay, alongside a private onsen. Suites separate the dining area from the beds.

Stay4.5/5

Guesthouse KEI

Social Shirakawago guesthouse with dorm beds and a wooden interior. Guests share drinks and stories with the host.