Shirakawa-go白川郷

A chain of houses built in the traditional 'gassho-zukuri' style. The whole village was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1995.

Shirakawa-go is situated at the foot of Mt. Haku-san, a mountain in the northwestern part of Gifu. It is a quiet village among the hills surrounded by mountains, with rice fields and a river running through it. About 110 houses with steep rafter-roofs stand next to each other, and UNESCO registered the whole of Shirakawa-go as a World Heritage Site in 1995.

The outdoor museum, Gassho-zukuri Minka-en, has moved and preserved 27 houses built in the gassho-zukuri style from various areas in Shirakawa-go. A temple, a coalhouse, and a horse paddock have been built, preserving the old scenery. They have live performances of traditional industrial arts like dyeing and weaving, and you can experience them yourself. At the "Soba Dojo," you can try making Japanese soba noodles.

In fall, the Doburoku-matsuri Festival is held. 'Doburoku' is a white, cloudy sake that is served to visitors. In the compound of Shirakawa Hachiman-jinja Shrine, one of the venues of this festival is the Doburoku-matsuri Hall, which introduces 'Shishi-mai,' a traditional dance with a lion's mask. Other events held at the festival use dolls and miniatures. The Ogimachi Jyoseki Observatory is the best spot to obtain a panoramic view of the village.