Shirakawago is a historical area within the mountains of Gifu prefecture, Japan, famous for it`s traditional farmhouses built in a unique architectural style known as “gassho-zukuri”, meaning “like hands in prayer”.

These houses are A-framed, designed specifically to withstand the regions heavy snow fall in winter. The large attic area beneath the roof was traditionally used for cultivating silk worms and its surprising to note that the roofs were constructed without the use of nails. Some of the houses are over 250 years old and the area was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995.

Some houses were not always originally located where they currently lay, many were in fact relocated from surrounding areas in a bid to preserve them. These days the houses are mainly used as museums, restaurants or minshuku (Japanese style bed and breakfast) and they are stunning to visit in person.

Getting There
Ogimachi, Shirakawago`s largest and most popular village is a recommended day trip from Takayama and takes about one and a half hours to get there by bus. To reach Takayama, buses and trains are available from surrounding cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Toyama. If time and your wallet permits it, you should definitely consider spending the night at Ogimachi village for a wonderful, local experience. If you decide to make it only a day trip, then you will need around 3 hours to fully explore Shirakawago if you don`t want to feel rushed.