Our last stop of today's day tour was Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. Nestled deep within the Shokawa Valley of Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is one of Japan’s most treasured cultural landscapes.
Shirakawa-go lies within the Japanese Alps and is situated along the Shō River (庄川), surrounded by steep mountains and dense forests.
The largest and most accessible settlement in Shirakawa-go is Ogimachi (荻町), where over 100 Gasshō-style houses still stand. Visitors entered the Ogimachi via the Deai-bashi Bridge, a scenic suspension bridge over the Shō River, offering a dramatic first view of the village cradled by forested hills.
Best known for its distinctive Gasshō-zukuri (合掌造り) farmhouses, this mountain village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At this point, our tour guide provided us with some tips and advice on how to fully enjoy this village in slightly more than an hour.
Based on the above map of the village, we decided to first explore Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine (白川八幡神社) to the eastern part of the village.
Hidden behind a row of towering cedars, Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine is a peaceful, spiritual site dedicated to the guardian deity of the village. Glad that we could still see some Sakura around at this time of the year.
In addition to Sakura, the snow mountains surrounding Shirakawa-go made the atmosphere so magical. The natural backdrop emphasizes the village’s isolation and beauty, making it feel like a secret preserved from centuries past.
Tucked beside the towering cedar trees that shelter Hachiman Shrine, the Shakadō (below) is a simple, single-story wooden structure, with a sloped roof that complements the rustic charm of its Gasshō-zukuri surroundings. Unlike the large farmhouses, its roof is tiled or shingled, rather than thatched, and its design reflects Buddhist temple architecture rather than village dwellings.
Time to explore more Gasshō-zukuri farmhouses in the village.
Myōzenji Temple (明善寺) is a rare Buddhist temple built in the Gasshō-zukuri style. Below is the temple bell tower.
Next, we arrived at a charming little shop nestled along the main path of Ogimachi. Pudding House Shirakawa (プリンの家 白川郷) is beloved for its handcrafted custards, including flavors like caramel, matcha, and Hida milk. Their signature Shirakawa-go Pudding is made from local milk and eggs, featuring a rich, velvety texture.
Many homes in the village have been converted into folk museums, guesthouses, and craft shops, allowing visitors to explore interiors and learn about local traditions.
This village has over 100 Gasshō-style homes that dot the landscape among rice paddies and footpaths. The most famous are the so-called “gassho-zukuri triplets” (below) that are a line of three gassho-zukuri houses. These three iconic houses are often photographed together and symbolize the village.
Shirakawa-go Gasshō Village is really a rare gem where history, architecture, and nature come together in harmony.
We paid a visit to one of the most important and well-preserved Gasshō-zukuri homes in Shirakawa-go's Ogimachi Village, Kanda House (神田家住宅). Built during the late Edo period (mid-1800s), it offers us a rare opportunity to experience traditional mountain village life from the inside out.
The interior of Kanda House showcases the elegance and utility of Gasshō living.
We ascended via steep wooden stairs to see the attic spaces, which were used for drying silkworm cocoons and storing tools. The intricate rope-tied beams and rafters are a highlight, revealing the masterful joinery that has kept the home intact for over a century.
The kitchen area is simple but spacious, featuring traditional cookware and displays of preserved local food practices. Visiting the Kanda House in Shirakawa-go is like walking into a living museum. With its graceful balance of utility and beauty, and its warm preservation of rural traditions, the house offers a personal connection to Japan’s mountain heritage.
We continued to explore the other parts of the village.
We walked over a beautiful wooden walkway with clear stream flows beside it.
Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck is situated on top of the hill, but we did not visit it due to time constraint. We would not have sufficient time to explore the village to the fullest if we were to pay a visit to the observation deck.
The most defining feature of the Gasshō-zukuri house is its steeply pitched thatched roof. The term “Gasshō-zukuri” (合掌造り) literally means "constructed like hands in prayer," reflecting the triangular shape of the roof. The angle (often between 45° and 60°) resembles two hands joined together in Buddhist prayer.
The steep pitch of the roof allows snow to slide off quickly, preventing buildup that could crush or collapse the structure. The large surface area of the roof also helps distribute weight more evenly, minimizing stress on the building.
The thick thatch (often thicker than 50 cm) insulates the house in winter while staying cool in summer. The attic, often three to four stories high, is ventilated naturally, ideal for sericulture (raising silkworms) or storage.
The roof is made of bundled susuki (Japanese pampas grass), a hardy material that's naturally resistant to pests and rot. Though highly flammable, the dense packing and height provide some protection. Roofs last approximately 30 to 40 years, depending on climate and upkeep.
The thatched roof of a Gasshō-zukuri house is more than a beautiful architectural element. It's a living symbol of resilience, community, and sustainable design. Engineered to endure snow, nurture silk production, and shelter extended families, it reflects the ingenuity of rural Japan and remains a profound expression of life shaped by nature.
After spending about 1.5 hours exploring this beautiful village, it's time to return to our tour bus.
We enjoyed the puddings that we bought earlier in the village after we boarded the bus.
The journey back to Nagoya passed by some beautiful sceneries.
At one point, there was a UFO-like building that caught my attention. It reminded me of the alien spacecraft in the movie "War of the Worlds".
The building is called Twin Arch 138. The two elegant arches symbolize "twin arches" reaching for the sky, and the height (138m). The observation deck at the top provides panoramic views of the Kiso River, Nagoya skyline, and surrounding mountains.
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