Ogimachi Village

Largest village in Shirakawa-go

Highly Recommended

4.5 (315)

#1 of 5 most visited in Shirakawago & Gokayama

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.

Some of the many gasshozukuri farmhouses

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 (800 yen from October 2025)

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 north of the village center 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 (300 yen one way), 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 village center, 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) and Saturdays
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.

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.

How to get to and around Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

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Budget:

- Shiroyamakan
  Luxury
  
  Set in Shirakawa in the Gifu region, with Shirakawago nearby, Shiroyamakan features accommodation with access to a hot tub. The 4-star ryokan features river views and is 47 km from Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village. The ryokan offers rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi. The units are equipped with heating facilities. The area is popular for cycling, and free use of bicycles is available at the ryokan. Guests can also relax in the garden. Takayama Station is 48 km from Shiroyamakan, while Fuji Folk Museum is 49 km away. Toyama Airport is 83 km from the property.
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- Onyado Yuinosho
  Luxury
  
  Onyado Yuinosho provides a sauna and free private parking, and is within 45 km of Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village and 46 km of Takayama Station. 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 at the ryokan. There is a snack bar, bar and lounge. Shirakawago is less than 1 km from Onyado Yuinosho, while Fuji Folk Museum is 47 km away. Toyama Airport is 81 km from the property.
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- Shirakawago Guest House Kei
  Budget-friendly
  
  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.
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- CURIO Shirakawago
  Luxury
  
  Situated within 47 km of Takayama Station and a few steps of Shirakawago, CURIO Shirakawago provides rooms in Shirakawa. 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. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Fuji Folk Museum is 48 km from the hotel, while Yoshijima Heritage House is 48 km away. Toyama Airport is 82 km from the property.
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- Minsyuku Koshiyama
  Budget-friendly
  
  Offering mountain views, Minsyuku Koshiyama is an accommodation situated in Shirakawa, 47 km from Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village and 48 km from Takayama Station. With a shared lounge, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Free private parking is available and the guest house also features bike hire for guests who want to explore the surrounding area. All units in the guest house are fitted with a flat-screen TV. At the guest house, every unit is equipped with bed linen and towels. Shirakawago is less than 1 km from the guest house, while Fuji Folk Museum is 49 km from the property. Toyama Airport is 83 km away.
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