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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Chubu - Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
Ogimachi Village	# 1   of 4 most visited sights in Shirakawa-go
access  -  ratings  -  tours  -  links

Ogimachi is the largest village and main attraction of Shirakawa-go. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, the village is home to several dozen well preserved gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. The farmhouses are quite amazing structures, designed to withstand the harsh winters while providing a place to work and live, and are best seen either covered in snow or surrounded by green fields. Many of the farmhouses are now restaurants, museums or minshuku, where you can stay overnight. A number of farmhouses from the surrounding villages have been relocated to an open air museum across the river from the town center in an effort to save them from destruction. This museum along with the large concentration of farmhouses and attractions in town and the area's accessibility make Ogimachi the best place in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama to see gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Gassho-zukuri Minkaen Hours: 8:40 to 17:00 (9:00 to 16:00 December to March) Admission ends 20 minutes before closing Closed: Thursdays from December through March Admission: 500 yen This open air museum lies across the river from the village center. It exhibits farmhouses and other structures relocated to Ogimachi in order to save them from destruction. Shiroyama Viewpoint The Shiroyama Viewpoint is north of the village center and offers nice views of Ogimachi and its farmhouses. The viewpoint can be accessed via a walking trail (closed in winter) in about 15 to 20 minutes from the village center or by a shuttle bus, which stops outside the Gassho-zukuri Minkaen open air museum. Myozenji Temple Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (9:00 to 16:00 December to March) Closed: Irregular closing days Admission: 300 yen This temple is unusual as it has a thatched roof rather than the typical tiled roof seen on most temples. The main hall can be entered through the Miyozenji-ke house next door. Wada-ke House Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: Irregular closing days Admission: 300 yen The Wada family was one of the wealthiest families and village leaders of Ogimachi. Their former home is the largest gassho-zukuri farmhouse in the town, and is now open to the public as a museum. Kanda-ke House Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: Wednesdays from December to February Admission: 300 yen This picturesque house is one of the best preserved farmhouse turned museums in Ogimachi. Located in the center of town, you can get good views of the surrounding houses from the windows on its upper floors. Nagase-ke House Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: Irregular closing days Admission: 300 yen The Nagase family were doctors for the Maeda lords in Ishikawa Prefecture before relocating to Ogimachi. Their farmhouse turned museum exhibits some medical tools and gifts from the Maeda family. The upper floors display many tools for farming and raising silkworms. Myozenji-ke House Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (9:00 to 16:00 December to March) Closed: Irregular closing days Admission: 300 yen including entrance to the temple The proprietor of this house speaks English and is more than happy to introduce it to visitors. This farmhouse is connected to Myozenji Temple next door and is where the priest of the temple lives. Admission to the house includes admission to the temple hall. Doburoku Festival Museum Hours: 9:00 to 19:00 Closed: December through March Admission: 300 yen This museum has displays on the Doburoku Festival held every year on October 14th and 15th. A feature of the festival is Doburoku Sake which is produced by the shrine and can be sampled at the museum. Shirakawa-go no Yu Hours: 7:00 to 21:30 Closing: No closing days Admission: 700 yen The Shirakawa-go no yu is a combined minshuku and bath house that offers hot spring bathing to the visitors of Ogimachi. A small discount is offered to guests staying overnight at one of the traditional farmhouses in the area. Attractions outside Ogimachi Toyama-ke House Hours: 10:00 to 16:00 Closed: Wednesdays (Tuesday if Wednesday is a holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 3 Admission: 300 yen Located about 15 minutes by car outside of Ogimachi, this old farmhouse now stands as a museum displaying typical period life. The farmland around the house continues to be worked by local farmers. Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

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Ratings for Ogimachi Village: japan-guide.com Rating:   best of Japan   User Rating (by 101 users): 94/100   highly recommended Popularity of Ogimachi Village: Users who have been to Shirakawa-go: 362 Users who have been to Ogimachi Village: 177 1st of 4 most visited sights in Shirakawa-go. 252nd of 726 most visited sights nationwide. Have you been to Ogimachi Village? No - I have not been there yetYes - no ratingYes - highly recommendedYes - recommendedYes - mildly interestingYes - nothing specialYes - not recommended User Feedback We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

Tours and Packages

2 days in snowy Shirakawago, all-you-can-eat snow crab! Nice price! Two satisfying days packed with fun things to do, for 16,980 to 24,980 yen. Shirakawago, Hida-Takayama, Kanazawa.Toyama Onsen Resort, with open-air hot spring bath. Takayama and Shirakawa-go Tours Various tours and travel packages for Takayama and surroundings.

English Links

Shirakawa Village Official English website.

Japanese Links

Shirakawa Village Official website. Shirakawa-go Tourism Official website. Minkaen Open Air Museum Official website. Kanda-ke Official website. Shirakawa-go no Onsen Official website.