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WHAT TO SEE IN SHIRAKAWA-GO
Shirakawa-go is one of those villages where you can relive the atmosphere of Japan's past. Nestled in the valley of the Shogawa River, Shirakawa-go is made up of numerous traditional thatched-roof houses that have earned this place the designation of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some homes date back over 250 years and their particular style is called “gassho-zukuri”, which literally means “hands joined in prayer”, due to the steep shape of the thatched roofs. Some houses are accessible inside, allowing you to discover fragments of daily life from a long-gone era by visiting the rooms where families lived and worked.
OGIMACHI VILLAGE and WADA RESIDENCE:
Ogimachi Village is the main attraction of Shirakawa-go and consists of dozens of traditional gassho-zukuri style houses, all very well preserved. Many of these homes have been transformed into minshuku (which we will talk about later), museums, and restaurants where you can learn more about the history and traditions of this place and dive into the flavors of the local cuisine. One of the main features of the houses is, in fact, the thatched roofs, whose steep shape is designed to withstand the heavy snowfalls in the area during the harsh winters. Each structure is nothing short of amazing: each one is spread over 3 or 4 floors, with various rooms used for living and working, with the top floor traditionally used for raising silkworms. Admiring these houses surrounded by green expanses of rice fields is an extraordinary emotion.
One of the homes in Ogimachi Village is the former residence of the Wada family, one of the richest and most powerful families in Shirakawa-go's past. Their house is the largest in the village and is now open as a museum: an unmissable opportunity to learn more about the lifestyle and habits of the Wada, admiring an interesting collection of personal items and artifacts.
PANORAMIC VIEWPOINT:
If you want to admire Shirakawa-go in its entirety, thus having a complete view of the village with its thatched-roof houses, I recommend reaching the viewpoint located about 5-10 minutes on foot from the center. The viewpoint is also accessible by car.
Shirakawa-go and the gassho-zukuri houses
Shirakawa-go and the gassho-zukuri houses
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