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, the ultimate way of experiencing Shirakawago.
Furthermore, a number of farmhouses from the surrounding villages have been relocated to an open-air museum across the river from Ogimachi's village center in an effort to save them from destruction. This museum along with the large concentration of farmhouses and attractions in the village and the area's relatively good 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 (Mar to Nov), 9:00 to 16:00 (Dec to Feb) Admission ends 20 minutes before closing Closed: Thursdays from Dec to Mar (or Wed if Thu is a holiday) Admission: 600 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 during/after heavy snow) in about 15-20 minutes from the village center or by a shuttle bus, which stops near the Wada-ke House. The parking lot got closed to the public due to frequent bad behavior by tourists, such as long-term parking.
Wada-ke House
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: Irregular closing days Admission: 400 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 village, and is now open to the public as a museum.
Kanda-ke House
Hours: 10:00 to 16:00 Closed: Wednesdays (except national holidays) Admission: 400 yen
This picturesque house is one of the best preserved farmhouse turned museums in Ogimachi. Located in the center of the village, 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: 400 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 Temple and House
Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (Apr to Nov), 9:00 to 16:00 (Dec to Mar) Closed: Irregular closing days Admission: 400 yen (includes entry to both temple and house)
Myozenji Temple, which is unique for its thatched roof rather than the typical tiled roof seen on most temples, is connected to the Myozenji-ke farmhouse next door where the priest of the temple lives. Admission to the house includes admission to the temple hall.
Shirakawa-go no Yu
Hours: 7:00 to 21:00 (from 15:00 on Fridays) Closing: Thursdays Admission: 800 yen
The Shirakawa-go no yu is a combined minshuku and bath house, which offers hot spring bathing to the visitors of Ogimachi.
Attractions outside Ogimachi
Toyama-ke House
Hours: 9:00 to 16:00 (from 10:00 December to March) Closed: Wednesdays (or Tuesday if Wednesday is a holiday) 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.
Getting there and around
Ogimachi is the transport hub of the Shirakawa-go region, where the bus lines from Takayama, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Toyama and Takaoka meet. The Shirakawago Bus Terminal is located at the entrance to the village center. Ogimachi is small and can be easily explored on foot.
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.
Situated only a 10-minute stroll away from Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal, Minsyuku Koshiyama features free WiFi access and free private parking. A convenience store situated right outside the property, and a restaurant is located within a 5-minute walk. All rooms are on the 2nd floor and fitted with a TV. There is a shared bathroom, toilet and wash basin on the ground floor. The shared lounge on site features a microwave and kettle. The guest house also offers bike hire. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 47 km from the property.
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.
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.