Gifu | Shirakawa-go Gassho Village, a fairytale town and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, I ventured to Japan's Hokuriku region to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site—Shirakawa-go Gassho Village, a fairytale-like haven.

The morning in Takayama City started off gloomy, but as the bus headed towards Shirakawa-go, the skies cleared up with bright sunshine. Under the blue skies and white clouds, I embarked on a half-day tour of this fairytale village nestled in the mountains. The perfect weather, combined with the mirror-like reflections of the rice paddies, made the Gassho Village even more enchanting—like a backdrop straight out of a European fairytale!

✓ How to get to Shirakawa-go Gassho Village?
Stay overnight in Takayama City, then take an early morning express bus from the Nohi Bus Station to Shirakawa-go. There are three routes that stop at Shirakawa-go, with a travel time of about 1 hour:
1. Takayama - Shirakawa-go - Kanazawa
2. Takayama - Shirakawa-go - Takaoka
3. Takayama - Shirakawa-go - Toyama

✓ Important Notes:
1. Tickets should be reserved in advance and can be purchased online with an electronic ticket. Shirakawa-go Gassho Village is very popular, and same-day tickets are unlikely to be available—keep this in mind.
2. If you're planning a same-day round trip, make sure to buy tickets for both the outbound and return journeys separately, as you'll need to select specific time slots.
3. If you're like me and choose to visit Shirakawa-go in the morning and head to Toyama in the afternoon, you can store large luggage at the Shirakawa-go Bus Center.

Shirakawa-go is compact, and a half-day tour is more than sufficient. Start by visiting the observation deck for a panoramic view of the Gassho Village, then pick one of the Gassho-style houses to explore inside. Finally, relax at a restaurant or café. Good weather is crucial—you might find yourself unable to stop taking photos, easily snapping over 500 shots!

Post by Moutain | May 31, 2025