Gifu｜Visit the Most Beautiful Gassho Village in the World and See How Shirakawa-go Maintains Its Century-Old Charm

Every January and February is the best time to see the illuminated Shirakawa-go. Although I missed the snow-covered scenery during my visit, I still witnessed this village's efforts to develop tourism while preserving its traditions. It takes one and a half hours from Kanazawa and two and a half hours from Nagoya to reach Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. This village, with nearly a hundred Gassho-style houses, stands as if isolated from the world. It is not only a UNESCO World Heritage site but also proudly maintains its century-old traditions, calling itself 'Japan's Hometown.' For those who love Japanese history, you must know about the Genpei War. It is said that the Taira clan hid in the mountainous area of Shirakawa-go to escape the war. Today, to preserve the beauty of the Gassho Village, the residents of Ogimachi have initiated a covenant to not sell, rent, or destroy the thatched Gassho houses. 📍Address: 〒501-5627 Gifu Prefecture, Ono District, Shirakawa Village, Ogimachi