Suganuma (›À), one of the main attractions of Gokayama, is made up of two areas, Suganuma Village and the Gokayama Gassho no Sato. Pleasant and easy to explore on foot, the two areas are connected to each other by a tunnel, which also connects to the parking lot on the hill overlooking the village via an elevator.
Suganuma Village and nine of its gassho-zukuri farmhouses, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Ainokura and Ogimachi in 1995. A beautiful place to see gassho-zukuri farmhouses, the ones here have been well preserved, and a few of them have become restaurants, minshuku, and museums showing the daily life and the washi paper and saltpeter industries, which sustained the region.
On the other end of the tunnel, the Gokayama Gassho no Sato has a number of traditional farmhouses that have been relocated here from the surrounding region in order to save them from destruction. However no one lives in these houses now; instead they are used by school groups for overnight stays and cultural activities.
Saltpeter Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from December to March) Closed: December 29 to January 3 Admission: 300 yen (also includes Folk Museum)
Making saltpeter, an ingredient in gunpowder, was an important regional industry during the Edo Period (1603-1868). This museum has exhibits on the procedures, tools and history of the industry in Gokayama.
Folk Museum
Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from December to March) Closed: December 29 to January 3 Admission: 300 yen (also includes Saltpeter Museum)
This folk museum displays tools and household items used in daily life. Some of the exhibited items include tools used for farming, raising silkworms and making washi paper.
Gassho Cottages
This collection of relocated gassho-zukuri farmhouses is now a place where school groups can stay overnight and participate in activities based on Gokayama traditional life. Although not aimed at the individual traveler, the area is open to everyone, and you are free to see the houses from the outside.
Attractions around Suganuma
Iwase-ke House
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from November to March) Closed: Thursdays (except national holidays) Admission: 400 yen
This well preserved gassho-zukuri farmhouse is the largest one of its kind in the region. The first floor has rooms which were designed to entertain visiting lords, while the spacious upper floors display tools and household items used for farming and raising silkworms.
Getting there and around
By bus
Suganuma is a stop along the bus route between Shirakawago and Takaoka (see timetable). The one way ride from Shirakawago to Suganuma takes 30 minutes and costs 870 yen. From Shin-Takaoka Station, it takes about 80 minutes and costs 1200 yen.
Alternatively, some buses along the bus route between Kanazawa and Shirakawago stop at the "Gokayama Suganuma" bus stop along the way (see timetable and fare details); however, it is possible to board buses only in the direction of Kanazawa and get off buses only in the direction of Ogimachi, but not vice versa. Also, these buses do not serve Suganuma from December through March.
By car
From Ogimachi, Suganuma can be reached in about 30 minutes along National Route 156. You can cut travel time by a few minutes by taking the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway between Shirakawago and Gokayama IC (580 yen regular expressway tolls). From Gokayama IC, Suganuma is reached in about two minutes.
Featuring free WiFi throughout the property, Shiroyamakan offers accommodation in Shirakawa, 1.4 km from Shirakawago. Free private parking is available on site. The entire property is non-smoking. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 47 km from the property.
Located in Shirakawa in the Gifu region with Shirakawago nearby, Onyado Yuinosho provides accommodation with free private parking, as well as access to a sauna. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can use the hot spring bath and the public bath, or enjoy mountain views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At the ryokan, all units are soundproof. At the ryokan, every unit includes bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available daily at the ryokan. There is a snack bar, bar and lounge. Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village is 45 km from Onyado Yuinosho, while Takayama Station is 46 km away. The nearest airport is Toyama Airport, 81 km from the accommodation.
Boasting hot-spring baths, a French restaurant and nature tours, the Eco-Institute is just a 10-minute drive from Shirakawa-Go traditional village, a UNESCO world heritage site. It offers spacious rooms with high ceilings and forest views. All rooms at TOYOTA Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute are air-conditioned, with an LCD TV, free wired internet and an en suite toilet. Some rooms have a private bathroom, and some rooms have Japanese-style futon bedding and a tatami (woven-straw) floor. The property is completely non-smoking. Gassho-zukuri Shuraku traditional houses are a 10-minute drive away. Shirayumi Ski Resort is a 20-minute drive away, and Shirakawa-go Onsen Hot Spring is a 15-minute drive. Free pick-up is available from Shirakawa-go Bus Stop, a 10-minute drive away. Both indoor and open-air hot-spring baths are on site, and guests can relax on the terrace or at the games room. A playground for children is provided. The institute showcases various environmentally-friendly initiatives. A set breakfast is served at the dining area. Dinner featuring locally grown ingredients can be enjoyed at La Riviere Blanc for an additional fee, but a reservation must be made at least 3 days in advance. Please note that the area does not have other dining options.
CURIO Shirakawago is situated in Shirakawa, within 47 km of Takayama Station and a few steps of Shirakawago. The 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 46 km from Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village. At the hotel each room includes bed linen and towels. Fuji Folk Museum is 48 km from CURIO Shirakawago, while Yoshijima Heritage House is 48 km away. The nearest airport is Toyama Airport, 82 km from the accommodation.
Guest House Ant Hut is located in Shirakawa-go village, a 20-minute walk from the bus terminal Ogimachi at Shirakawa-go World Heritage Village. Free private parking is available on site. Guests can make use of the free shuttle service offered by the property or take a local bus to access the guest house. The Ant Hut has a shared kitchen furnished with essential cooking appliances. The lounge is fitted with a flat-screen TV and DVD player. The guest house features a bathroom, 2 toilets and a hairdryer. Each bed has a private luggage shelf, power outlet, reading light and a fan. Free WiFi access is available throughout the entire property. The property is situated in a quiet location within walking distance to a convenience store and 2 popular local restaurants. Guests can engage in various activities around the region such as skiing and hiking. Property staff are able to recommend things to do around the village. Complimentary seasonal drinks are offered to guests upon arrival and coffee is provided in the mornings.
600 metres from Shirakawago, Shirakawago Guest House Kei is set in Shirakawa and offers rooms with free WiFi. All rooms feature a kitchen and a shared bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. All guest rooms in the guest house are fitted with a coffee machine. The units will provide guests with a microwave. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 46 km from the property.