Gassho-zukuri houses in Ogimachi, Gifu Prefecture

Discover the Best Sights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site

Half-Day Essential Shirakawa-go Itinerary

Shirakawa-go (白川郷) is a spot in Japan unlike any other, an atmosphere different from the Feudal Era (1185-1867, 封建時代, Hōken-jidai) feels of Kyoto (京都, Kyōto) or the modern urban jungle of Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō).

Walk down the streets of Ogimachi village, the largest village in Shirakawa-go with thatched Gassho-zukuri (合掌造り, Gasshō-zukuri) houses along the streets, and surrounded by the Japanese Alps (日本アルプス, Nihon Arupusu) on all sides.

It's a great place to visit in summer, when the suiden (水田, Water-filled paddy field) are bright green, in autumn, when the koyo (紅葉, Kōyō, Red Autumn Leaves) cover the mountains, or winter, when the town is covered in snow. Each season gives off a completely different vibe and scene.

Ultimate Half Day Shirakawa-go Itinerary

Discover the Charms of This UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Alps

Nature

Culture

Gourmet

Volume

This itinerary will take you through some of the best things to check out while in Ogimachi (荻町) village to make the most of your visit to Shirakawa-go.

We'll start off by getting a great photo from the Tenshukaku Observatory (城山天守閣展望台, Shiroyama Tenshukaku Tenbōdai), then checking out the inside of the largest Gassho-zukuri (合掌造り, Gasshō-zukuri) house in the village, Wada House (和田家住宅, Wada-ke Jūtaku), explore the village, and also sit around an irori (囲炉裏, Sunken hearth) for lunch.

Itinerary Details

Starting Time

Start from the Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal

Recommended Time:

09:00

Take the shuttle bus up to the observatory

Est.

09:00

10 mins

A shuttle bus runs between the observatory and Ogimachi village. The journey takes 10 minutes, costs ¥200 one-way, and runs at 20 minute intervals.

It leaves from the bus stop located outside Hakusuien. You can find the map of the bus stop in Japanese here. Note that the bus schedule changes depending on the season, but typically runs from 9am to 4pm at every 00, 20, 40 of each hour.

10 mins

Hakusuien

Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck

Aerial view overlooking Ogimachi, Gifu Prefecture

Est.

09:20

40 mins

Closed

Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck (城山天守閣展望台)

Get a bird’s eye view of the village

Almost every bird's eye view picture of Ogimachi village is taken from this observatory. Located on the ruins of Ogimachi Castle (城, Shiro), the observation deck (展望台, Tenbōdai) is named after the tenshu (天守, Main Keep) that was located at the same spot.

Return back down to Ogimachi

Est.

10:00

10 mins

Take the shuttle bus back down to Ogimachi.

Note that the bus schedule changes depending on the season, but typically runs from 9am to 4pm at every 10, 30, 50 of each hour.

10 mins

Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck

Hakusuien

Exterior of Wada House in Ogimachi, Gifu Prefecture

Credit: 小石川人晃 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Est.

10:20

30 mins

Wada House (和田家住宅)

Discover the largest Gassho-zukuri house in the village

One of the Japanese designated cultural properties within the village is Wada House, at over 300 years old, it is the largest remaining Gassho-zukuri (合掌造り, Gasshō-zukuri) house in the village with its surrounding waterways, hedges, and fields all remaining intact.

Suspension bridge going into Ogimachi, Gifu Prefecture

Est.

10:50

15 mins

Ogimachi Suspension Bridge (荻町の吊橋)

Get some panoramic views from a suspension bridge

The Ogimachi Suspension Bridge connects the village of Ogimachi with the main carpark across the Shō River (庄川, Shō-gawa). The bridge boasts great views of the surrounding Japanese Alps (日本アルプス, Nihon Arupusu), as well as great shots of the river that flows below it.

Interior at Rakujin in Ogimachi, Gifu Prefecture

Est.

11:05

1 hour

Closed

Ochiudo (落人)

Enjoy some curry, drinks, and zenzai around an irori

Located within one of the Gassho-zukuri houses, the Ochiudo cafe is one of the most popular spots for locals. The interior mixes decor between a kissaten (喫茶店, Traditional Japanese Cafe) and that of a Gassho-zukuri (合掌造り, Gasshō-zukuri), with the center of the cafe being a large irori (囲炉裏, Sunken hearth), a sunken hearth with a charcoal fire at the centre for boiling things in a pot or kettle.

Gassho-zukuri houses of Ogimachi, Gifu Prefecture

Est.

12:05

1.5 hours

Ogimachi (荻町)

Explore the village on foot

Often times, when people say "Shirakawa-go", they actually refer to the largest village of Ogimachi. There are also other villages within Shirakawa-go area, but Ogimachi is the main one that people visit.

Return to the Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal

Est.

13:35

Check it out as part of

Ultimate One Day Takayama & Shirakawa-go Itinerary

Discover the charms of the Japanese Alps in a single day

Due to changing circumstances, readers are advised to do their own additional research. All information on this site is purely for reference only.

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