[2025 Shirakawa Attraction] Travel Guide for Ogimachi (Updated May)

It was a winter trip to Gifu, Japan with my partner. Gifu in winter is a magical escape filled with stunning scenery and cultural treasures 😍 We started our journey in Takayama, a charming city surrounded by the Japanese Alps. The preserved Sanmachi Suji district was a highlight, with its traditional wooden 🪵 buildings, sake breweries, and shops. Walking through the snow-covered streets felt like stepping back in time. The ambiance was perfect for photography, especially with the warm glow of lanterns at dusk. We also visited the Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum showcasing traditional houses covered in snow ❄️ a must-see for winter photography enthusiasts. 📍 Kamiichinomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0846 Hida Folk Village 📍1-590 Kamiokamoto-machi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0055 We also visited Shirakawa-go, the iconic UNESCO World Heritage village. The sight of the gassho-zukuri houses blanketed in snow was absolutely surreal. We explored the village and climbed up to the Shiroyama Viewpoint, which offers the best panoramic view of the entire village. The sunrise and sunset shots from here were spectacular, and the peaceful vibe made it one of the most memorable stops of our trip. We’d recommend staying until evening to see the houses lit up, an unforgettable experience for photographers 📸 Shirakawa-go Village 📍Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun, Gifu 501-5627 Shiroyama Viewpoint 📍Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun, Gifu 501-5627 We also traveled to Gero Onsen, one of Japan’s top hot spring towns. The combination of warm onsen baths and the snowy surroundings was incredibly relaxing. We took photos at the Gassho Village, a smaller version of Shirakawa-go, and enjoyed the peaceful riverside views 😍😍😍This was the perfect spot to capture winter serenity while unwinding 🏔️ We highly recommend soaking in an outdoor onsen for a truly immersive experience. Gassho Village 📍2369 Mori, Gero, Gifu 509-2202 Gero Onsen 📍Yunoshima, Gero, Gifu 509-2207 Gifu in winter is a photographer’s paradise 📸 From the snowy landscapes of Shirakawa-go to the nostalgic streets of Takayama and the serene onsen experiences in Gero, every corner is 😍😍😍 #japantrip #vacation #getaway

Getting There - You can either opt to go with a tour group that covers 1 night stay at a nearby town and bus trip, or take a train to the nearest station Shirakawago IC. Attractions - amazingly well preserved traditional Gassho style houses with hay covered roofs lying within a scenic and breathtaking valley. real people live here but some houses are open for visitors to visit, for example the old Village Head house. There is also a look out point about 20 minutes walk from the village that has the view of the whole village and the valley surrounding, cannot be missed! Hotels - There are a few guest house options available within the village, but they may be limited in numbers. Food & Restaurants - Within the village there are not many choices but within 5KM radius there are 3 towns with potentially more food options. Shopping - souvenirs, and some traditional local snacks. #japan #worldheritagesite #traditional #nationalpark #autumncolors

We took an early morning bus from Nagoya Station to Shirakawa-go, a journey of about three hours. By noon, we arrived at this picturesque village, greeted by rows of charming gassho-style houses that were both adorable and intriguing, sparking a desire to learn more about this unique place. The roofs of these houses are covered with thatched grass, and the construction process uses almost no nails. Instead, the structures are entirely joined with wood and ropes, forming a shape reminiscent of hands clasped in prayer. The steep roof angle, approximately 60 degrees, effectively allows snow to slide off, preventing damage from heavy snow accumulation. This distinctive feature has earned the village the nickname "Gassho Village." When the roofs need re-thatching, it requires significant manpower, and villagers come together to help each other, showcasing a strong sense of community spirit. A visit to Shirakawa-go is incomplete without heading to the observation deck to enjoy a panoramic view of the Gassho Village. This is one of the highlights of the trip. Since we didn’t want to hike uphill, we opted for the shuttle bus to the observation deck. The boarding point is located on the road between Wada House and the Shirakawa-en restaurant, marked by a clear signpost. The bus runs every 20 minutes starting at 9 AM, with a one-way ticket costing around 200 yen. Walking downhill is much easier and quickly leads back to the village. We then strolled through the Gassho Village, visiting famous spots like Wada House and Kanda House, as well as some shrines and waterwheels that reflect the importance of local agriculture. Along the way, we enjoyed delicious local treats such as Hida beef skewers, Gohei mochi, and Hida beef buns. Towards the end of our walk, we reached the iconic "Three Little Houses" located at the edge of the village. The weather was perfect on the day of our visit, making for stunning photos. As Shirakawa-go is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination, most villagers still maintain their traditional lifestyle. Visitors are encouraged to be mindful and avoid causing any inconvenience to the locals during their trip.

The walk up and down was a bit slippery in winter but the views were good and we had some fun playing with the snow. Free observation deck that can be reached by a 10-15min hike. 2 choices to go here are walking or bus. I recommend that you walk the town first from the bus terminal and head up from the end of the town where there is a nice path that gradually elevates to the top. The view along the way is beautiful, you can enjoy taking photos during the walk. The view along the way is beautiful, you can enjoy taking photos during the walk #songkran2024#mytravelhacks#cherryblossom2024#historicallandmarks#localguides#familytrip#trip#instatravel#goodfoods#foodphotography#langkawi#chinatown#ipoh#temples#familyfun#siemreap#edinburgh#คาเฟ่ห้ามพลาด

4 World Heritage Villages of Japan🛖Ogimachi In the area of ​​Gifu and Toyama prefectures, Chubu region . Ogimachi (荻町) is a town that includes 4 villages in the style of Japanese Gassho or Japanese farmhouses with high gables and thatched roofs. If you say the name of the town Ogimachi, you might not be familiar with it, but if you say "Shirakawa-go" everyone will definitely think of it. Oh! Which Thais like to visit a lot, but... we didn't go to all of them. . Shirakawa-go is the name of the main Gassho village. But in terms of promoting tourism But in fact When it was registered as Unesco Historic Villages in 1995 It also included “Gokayama Village, Ainokura Village and Suganuma Village” All 3 are located in Toyama Prefecture, which is only a short distance away . Which is popular to visit in all 4 seasons. If you go in the summer You will find a refreshing green forest atmosphere like this But if you go in the winter, you will find snow covering the house but Warm inside the Gassho farmhouse with an irori stove under the floor of the house Japanese wisdom used instead of a heater With a warm atmosphere At night, there will be a light-up event during the winter every year . 🚩Recommended places to visit in Ogimachi ・ Ogimachi Castle Viewpoint (荻町城跡展望台) ・ Shirakawago Hachiman Shrine ・ Shirakawago and Gokayama Village (Shirakawa-go) ・Shokawa River and the Bridge ・Myozenji Temple ・Nomura Soba Shop ・Kanda House ・Gassho Restaurant in Shirakawa-go Village ・Ainokura Village ・Suganuma Observation Spot ・Gokayama Gassho no Sato . ・Access: The closest is from Chubu Centrair Airport and Haneda Airport! Then, take the train or Shinkansen to Toyama Station or Gifu Station and take the bus to Shirakawago or Gokayama Station, as desired (about 2-4 hours from the airport).