Last Update:October 14, 2016
Before Your Visit
About the Tourism Season
The four seasons at Shirakawa-go are; Spring (March – May) – cherry blossoms & rice paddies, Summer (June – August) – lush green trees, Fall sees festivals and vivid colors of the changing leaves, Winter features beautiful snowscapes.
The most popular seasons for tourism are May, August, September, and October.
For Those Visiting in Winter
The Shirakawa-go region sees a lot of snowfall from December through March. When visiting in winter, please dress warmly, waterproofed coats are recommended, as are long boots or warm shoes with grippy soles to avoid slipping on the snow. Temperatures can be low during the day, while at night there is a risk of slipping or falling on the frozen streets. Additionally there is a danger of fresh snow obscuring holes, ponds, or irrigation ditches. Please take care not to set foot on areas of freshly fallen snow that have not been subject to snow removal.
Accommodations
In Shirakawa-go there are over 40 inns and guesthouses built in the gassho style or with traditional Japanese architecture, including a number of hotels with easy access for anyone, all require reservations. Please understand that some accommodations may not be able to respond to reservation requests in languages other than Japanese.
Guidance of local limited exception guide-interpreter
Durning recent years, Hida territory (Takayama City, Hida City,Gero City, Shirakawa Village) has been an area that many foreign tourists visit. For foreign tourists to know more about Hida territory, we are training the local limited exception guide-interpreter.
It will be nice if you enjoy the guide service and we would like to introduce to you.
Avilable Areas
Takayama City, Hida City,Gero City, Shirakawa Village
Information on guide-interpreter (Link from Takayama City)
https://www.hida.jp/english/traveltips/practicalguide/4000100.html
Notice
- The disclosed information has been released with the approval of each guide-interpreter on the homepage.
- A guide fee will be raised when you use the guide.
- Please refer to each registrant for guide rate and content individually.
Access
Shirakawa-go (Shirakawa Village) is located in the northwestern part of Gifu Prefecture, in the approximate center of Japan. Arriving from overseas, it is easily accessible by public transport of rental-car.
If you are visiting the world heritage gassho style settlement by car or rental car, please enter the following information into your car’s navigation system to smoothly reach your destination; “Address – Post-code 501-5627, Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go, Ogi-machi 2495-3”, or “Telephone number – 05769-6-3111” Please see the link below for a map.
If you are staying at accommodation within the village, please use the parking area provided at your accommodation. Also, when visiting in winter, please equip winter tires, or tire chains.
After Arriving in Shirakawa-go
Good Manners
Many people live their daily lives within the world heritage village. Please consider the privacy of the residents and observe the following rules to protect the beauty of this world heritage site for future generations.
Trash cannot be thrown away! Do not bring it!
Trash cans are not provided within the village. Please take your trash home with you. Please return food containers to the shops from where the food was purchased. Please do not throw your trash away in public toilets, etc.
Fires are strictly prohibited!
Smoking is prohibited (with the exception of electronic cigarettes that do not use fire). The gassho style houses are extremely vulnerable to fire damage. Please refrain from smoking outside of pre-determined locations within the village. Please be absolutely certain that you don’t smoke or discard cigarette butts while walking.
Fireworks & bonfires are prohibited Fireworks and bonfires are a major cause of uncontrollable fires. In order to preserve this beautiful world heritage site, please be absolutely certain that you don’t use fireworks or start a bonfire.
Cherish the nature!
Please do not remove any of the native plants from the village. Let’s cherish the flora and fauna of Shirakawa-go.
Do not enter private property!
The world heritage site is also home to a number of residents. Please do not enter private premises or fields, open doors, or peek through windows without express permission. Additionally the flowers, vegetables, and crops growing around the village have been carefully nurtured by the residents, please do not pick them.
Only use designated toilets.
Please only use the designated public toilets. Do not relieve yourself at any other location. Please use the toilets cleanly.
Camping is strictly prohibited.
Camping is not allowed within the world heritage village. If you wish to camp in the area, please use the “Shirakawa-go Hirase Onsen Camp-site” or the “Hakusan Buna-no-mori Campground”
About Drones
If you wish to fly a drone in Japan then you need to follow the rules established by Japanese aviation law. Please refer to the website of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for more information. Please consider the safety of residents and other tourists, and co-operate with nature conservation efforts.
About Wi-Fi
We have established “SHIRAKAWA-Go Free Wi-Fi” at various locations throughout the village.
Preparedness for Natural Disasters, etc.
Japan is a country rich in nature and natural beauty, but on the other hand, it is also prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes. If such a situation should arise during your visit to Shirakawa-go, please refer to the “Wide area disaster damage management map / Hokuriku, Hida, 3 stars street” for evacuation guidance and emergency shelter locations.