Known for its Gassho-style houses, Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture attracts numerous tourists from Japan and abroad. While Shirakawa-go might conjure images of a fantastical landscape blanketed in snow, did you know that it has a different charm in the summer?
In summer, the green mountains, the gentle murmur of the river flowing through the village, and the Gassho-style houses standing under the blue sky create a vibrant beauty that is different from the winter scene. There are also many activities that can only be enjoyed in the summer.
In this article, we'll introduce you to the ways to enjoy Shirakawa-go in the summer.
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👉Gokayama, Shirakawa-go Gassho Village & Hida Takayama Day Trip | Kanazawa
What is Shirakawa-go famous for?
"Gassho-zukuri" is a unique Japanese architectural style where wooden beams are combined to form a mountain shape. It is said to be called "Gassho" because the shape of the building looks like two palms put together.
In the Ogimachi district of Shirakawa Village in the northwestern part of Gifu Prefecture, there are over 100 Gassho-zukuri houses in Shirakawa-go, some of which were built about 300 years ago.
Not only is it a beautiful landscape where you can feel the original scenery of Japan, but the spirit of mutual aid among the residents of this region, which has been cherished since ancient times, has also been recognized. Shirakawa-go was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
What is the attractions of Shirakawa-go in summer? Recommended spots for July-August
The allure of Shirakawa-go in summer lies in its beautiful nature. The lush green mountains surrounding the village, the sound of cicadas, a quintessential part of Japanese summer, and the blooming sunflowers, all create a vibrant and lively scene that contrasts with the winter landscape of Shirakawa-go.
Now, let us introduce you to the must-visit spots when you go to Shirakawa-go in the summer.
1. Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observation Deck (Ogimachi-jo Ato Tenbodai)
The "Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory", located on a hill about 40m high, is an observatory built on the site of Ogimachi Castle, which was built during the Warring States period to monitor this area and protect it from enemy attacks.
Currently, only a part of the castle's fortress remains, but it is known as an excellent shooting spot where you can overlook the landscape of Shirakawa-go, dotted with gassho-style houses. Why not take a look at the lively Shirakawa-go, which is different from the winter when the entire village is covered with snow, from this place.
- Access:About 20 minutes on foot from Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal. From 9:00 to around 16:00, a shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes between the Ogimachi area and the observatory. (Ride time: about 10 minutes, fare: 200 yen one way)
2. Wada House (Wada-ke)
The Wada House is the largest surviving gassho-zukuri (thatched-roof) farmhouse in Shirakawa-go, with a history spanning over 300 years. The Wada family, who lived here, served as officials in the “bansho” (regional guard) during the Edo period and prospered economically through trading “enshō” (saltpeter), a key ingredient in gunpowder.
Not only is the house itself well-preserved, but so are its garden and hedges, leading to its designation as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.
Currently, the Wada House is still a residence, so only parts of the house, excluding the living spaces, are open to tourists. Inside, you can find displays of farming tools, silk farming equipment, and ceremonial dishes used in celebrations, providing a glimpse into traditional Japanese life.
Audio guides about the history of the Wada House and gassho-zukuri architecture are available in Japanese on the first floor and in English on the second floor.
- Access: About 4 minutes walk from Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal
- Admission fee: Junior high school students and above: 400 yen, Elementary school students: 200 yen
- Business hours: 9:00～17:00
- Closed days: Irregular holidays
3. Deai Bridge
The "Deai Bridge" that spans the Shogawa River flowing north and south of Shirakawa-go is a suspension bridge with a length of 107m. It connects the "Seseragi Park" with a large parking lot for tourists and a village lined with gassho-style houses, so people who come by car will walk across this bridge to enter the village.
Although it is a relatively new suspension bridge built in the 1990s, it harmonizes well with the landscape of Shirakawa-go by adopting a rustic design. How about looking at the surface of the Shogawa River, which reflects the summer sun and sparkles, from the top of the suspension bridge?
- Access: A short walk from Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal
4. Hakusui Lake
Hakusui Lake is an artificial lake created by the construction of the Oshirakawa Dam, and its surface is a beautiful emerald green color due to the sulfur content in the water.
The Prefectural Route 451 (Hakusan Park Line) leading to the lake is open from early June to late October, so this mysterious and breathtaking view can only be seen for a few months from early summer to autumn. The area around Hakusui Lake is surrounded by natural forests of beech and Mizunara, so you can also enjoy nature walks.
- Address: Oshirakawa, Hirase, Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture
- Access: 60 minutes by car from Shokawa Interchange (about 30 minutes on National Route 156 towards Hirase Onsen from Tokai Hokuriku Expressway Shokawa IC, about 30 minutes by car on Prefectural Route 451)
👉EN Gokayama, Shirakawa-go Gassho Village & Hida Takayama Day Trip | Kanazawa
Recommended Activities to Enjoy in Shirakawa-go in Summer
If you visit Shirakawa-go in the summer, you should definitely try activities such as cycling and water sports.
From here, we will introduce the summer activities offered by the "Shirakawa-go Activity Center o8 (*O-Eight)".
1. SUP Experience on the Emerald Green Lake
If you visit Lake Hakusui in the summer, you should definitely try SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding), where you stand on a board and paddle across the water surface.
At the "Lake Hakusui SUP" event held by Shirakawa-go Activity Center o8, you can experience SUP while receiving a careful lecture, so even beginners can feel at ease.
You can enjoy a relaxing time in various ways, such as enjoying the mysterious scenery floating on the emerald green lake, lying on the board and gazing at the sky, or doing yoga on the board for advanced SUP users.
- Event period: June 1st to September 30th
Afternoon session:13:00〜15:30
- Price: 150 minutes ¥8,000 (tax included) *Includes board and wetsuit rental
- Meeting place: Oshirakawa Parking Lot (Hirase, Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture)
2. Tour around Shirakawa-go on an E-bike
The "Cycle Tour Shirakawa-go" is an activity where you can ride through the natural surroundings of Shirakawa-go on electric assist bicycles (E-bikes) accompanied by a guide. With E-bikes, even the hilly mountain paths can be navigated with ease.
The tour offers two main courses: the "World Heritage Course," which takes you around the Shirakawa-go area, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the "Hakusan National Park Course," which covers approximately 14 km from the southern part of Shirakawa-go to the Ōjirakawa Park within Hakusan National Park.
Ojirakawa Park is located at the foot of Mount Hakusan, one of Japan's "Three Famous Mountains" alongside Mount Fuji and Mount Tate. This area is designated as a Special Protected Zone by the Japanese government. It boasts many attractions, including forests filled with ancient trees, the stunning Shiramine Falls with a drop of approximately 70 meters, and Shiramine Lake, which was featured in this article.
- Event period:
Morning session 9:00-12:00
Afternoon session 14:00-17:00
9:00-15:00
- Price:
- Meeting Place
3. Descending a Clear River by Boat
Recommended for those seeking thrilling activities is river descent with a single-person boat, "Packraft". The experience of descending a river where clear snowmelt water flows in the midst of magnificent nature is sure to be a special moment.
First, you can practice steering with an instructor, so even those who are new to packrafting can participate with peace of mind.
- Period: Mid-April to end of June
Morning session 9:00-12:00
Afternoon session 14:00-17:00
- Price: 11,000 yen (tax included) *Includes packraft and wetsuit rental
- Meeting place: Michi no Eki Hida Hakusan (516-62 Hirase, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun, Gifu Prefecture)
4. Sauna in the great outdoors
In Japan, saunas are currently experiencing a boom, and you can enjoy this trend amid the great outdoors of Shirakawa-go as well. At "Shirakawa-go 'Soto' Sauna," a guide selects the best location from the numerous natural spots in Shirakawa-go for the day and sets up a tent sauna for you.
After sweating it out, you can cool off in the cold river fed by the snowmelt from Mount Hakusan. You'll be able to refresh both your mind and body, achieving a state of ultimate relaxation.
- Period: Mid-April to the end of November (Afternoon session until the end of September)
Morning session 9:30〜12:00
Afternoon session 14:00〜16:30
- Price: 6,000 yen (tax included) *1 tent: up to 4 people
- Meeting place: Michi no Eki Hida Hakusan (516-62 Hirase, Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun, Gifu Prefecture)
How to get to Shirakawa-go
From Tokyo
From Tokyo Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Toyama Station (about 2 hours 15 minutes). From Toyama Station, take the express bus to 'Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal' (about 1 hour 20 minutes).
From Osaka
From Osaka Station, take the JR Thunderbird Limited Express to Kanazawa Station (about 2 hours 40 minutes). From Kanazawa Station, take the express bus to 'Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal' (about 1 hour 20 minutes).
From Nagoya
From Nagoya Station, walk to the Meitetsu Bus Center (about 5 minutes). From the Meitetsu Bus Center, take the express bus to 'Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal' (about 2 hours 30 minutes).
From Kanazawa
From Kanazawa Station, take the express bus to "Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal" (about 1 hour and 20 minutes)
In this article, we've introduced the vibrant nature and the active outdoor activities that can be enjoyed in Shirakawa-go during the summer. Experience a different charm from the winter season and make sure to visit in the summer too!
👉Gokayama, Shirakawa-go Gassho Village & Hida Takayama Day Trip | Kanazawa
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