Shirakawa-go
Shirakawa-go is a historic hillside village in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, famed for its authentic gassho-zukuri farmhouses built with steep thatched roofs. Nestled in the Japanese Alps and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, the village offers picturesque winter scenes, traditional architecture, and cultural insights.
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Geography
| Address | Shirakawa, Gifu 501-5624, JapanShirakawa, Gifu |
|---|---|
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Asia |
| Subregion | East Asia |
| Country | Japan |
| State | Gifu Prefecture |
| County | Shirakawa-gun |
| District | Shirakawa Village |
| City | Shirakawa |
| Postal Code | 501-5624 |
| Timezone | AsiaTokyo |
| Latitude | 36.997 |
| Longitude | 137.042 |
| Maps |
4:57 AM LOCAL TIMEShirakawa-go is a remote alpine village in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, celebrated for its distinctive gassho-zukuri architecture — farmhouses with steeply pitched thatched roofs designed to shed heavy snowfall. Accessible via bus and limited highway routes, Shirakawa-go peaks in winter with snow-laden rooftops and nighttime illumination, underscoring its fairy-tale appeal. Visitors come to wander narrow lanes, visit small museums, and experience local village life; accommodations range from traditional ryokan and minshuku to resourceful mountain lodges. Beyond the core settlement, the surrounding region offers hiking, farm visits, and seasonal festivals that highlight rice-planting and folk culture. The village’s architectural style and hillside setting make it a quintessential stop for those seeking timeless rural Japan synced with dramatic seasonal landscapes.
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