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The homes have uniquely steep thatched roofs known as gassho-zukuri<\/em> in Japanese, meaning \u201cconstructed like hands in prayer.\u201d Many of the houses were built in the late 1600s and were designed to withstand heavy snow, and the large attic space provides an area for silkworm cultivation.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/p> Shirakawago and Gokayama are situated in a valley in Gifu prefecture, 50 km northwest of Takayama. These villages are surrounded by high and rugged mountains which receive particularly high snowfall in winter.<\/p>\n Using your Japan Rail Pass<\/a>, you can reach the Shirakawago area from Tokyo, Osaka or Nagoya. Buses are available from many other popular locations.<\/p>\n \n \n Buy your JR Pass\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n From Tokyo Station<\/a> or Ueno Station<\/a>, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen<\/strong><\/a> to Toyama Station. Then take the bus to Shirakawago (90 minutes, 1700 yen one way). You can check the timetables and make your bus seat reservation at Japanbusonline.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Nohi Bus and Hokutetsu Bus<\/strong> lines operate hourly between Kanazawa<\/a> and Shirakawago. Seat reservations are required, and the JR Pass is not valid. However, other tourist passes may be accepted.<\/p>\n Hourly buses<\/strong> operate between Takayama<\/a> and Shirakawago. The JR Pass is not valid on these buses, and some require seating reservations.<\/p>\n From Nagoya<\/a> Station, you can take the Hida Limited Express<\/strong><\/a> to Takayama<\/a>, and then proceed as explained above.<\/p>\n Besides, several Gi<\/strong>fu Buses<\/strong> operate daily between Nagoya and Shirakawago. The JR Pass is not valid on this bus, and online reservations can be made.<\/p>\n From Osaka<\/a>, you can take the JR ThunderBird Limited Express<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to Kanazawa<\/a>. From Kanazawa, take the Nohi or Hokutetsu Bus to Shirakawago.<\/p>\n Alternatively, you can take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen<\/strong><\/a> from Shin-Osaka Station to Nagoya Station. Then, take the Gifu Bus from Nagoya to Shirakawago.<\/p>\n Shirakawago is divided into two area<\/strong>s. In Gifu, it is known only as Shirakawago<\/strong>. In Toyama Prefecture, it is called Gokayama<\/strong>. Villages in both areas have been listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1995.<\/p>\n The village of Shirakawago is the most famous in the Shirakawago region<\/strong>, as it is home to most of the traditional gassho-zukuri<\/em> houses<\/strong>, which are based on their own building structures according to their regions characteristics.<\/p>\n Gokayama is located 10 kilometers north of the village of Shirakawago<\/strong>. Its name means \u201cfive valleys\u201d in Japanese, describing its position between mountains. Gokayama is famous for gunpowder production. Today, it offers a pristine and untouched environment<\/strong> to travelers lucky enough to find it.<\/p>\n Gokayama is home to two gassho-zukuri<\/em> style villages<\/strong>. About 60 people still live in the 23 houses of Ainokura Village. There, you can eat a meal and learn to make paper. The Suganuma Village<\/strong> is home to nine gassho-zukuri houses, the Ensho-no-Yakata gunpowder production museum, and the Shinmeisha Shrine.<\/p>\n Between these villages, you will find the largest gassho-zukuri house, the Murakami House<\/strong>. You can enter the house and view over a thousand artifacts. Catch a meal at the nearby Jippensha, where you can sample Gokayama\u2019s famous soba noodles and tofu bean curd.<\/p>\n Shirakawago is a beautiful destination any time of the year<\/strong> and no matter the weather. In the spring, the area is crowned with clouds of sakura cherry blossoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n In summer, the rice fields paint the terrain bright green. In autumn, its mountains and hills create a stunning backdrop for koyo autumn leaf viewing. And in winter, the area is thickly blanketed with snow, as described at the outset.<\/p>\nHow to get to Shirakawago<\/span><\/h2>\n
From Tokyo to Shirakawago<\/span><\/h3>\n
From Kanazawa to Shirakawago<\/span><\/h3>\n
From Takayama to Shirakawago<\/span><\/h3>\n
From Nagoya to Shirakawago<\/span><\/h3>\n
From Osaka to Shirakawago<\/span><\/h3>\n
Shirakawago village<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"shirakawago](\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/shirakawago-houses.jpg\")
Gokayama village<\/span><\/h2>\n
Best times to visit Shirakawago<\/span><\/h2>\n
Best things to do in Shirakawago<\/span><\/h2>\n