Shirakawa-go is located in Ogi-machi, Shirakawa village, Gifu-prefecture.
This area is known as the location for practitioners of the Shirakawa religion.
People here rigorously trained in the mountains or were those who were forced to flee as Heike warriors who were defeated in the Genpei battle and were living in hiding.
The village with its gasshō-zukuri-styled farm houses has been registered as a Unesco World Heritage cultural site because of its unique scenery and traditional architecture.
In those gasshō-zukuri-styled farm houses, a cottage industry developed around making washi paper, saltpeter, or raising silkworms.
Washi paper was made on the dirt floors.
Beneath the floor, they made saltpeter – the material used for gunpowder.
The first floor was used for living and the second or third floors were devoted to raising silkworms.
The house was set up for living and working.
A large family lived in one house, living and working together...just like one village.
The biggest feature of a gasshō-zukuri is the large thatched roof.
The steep angle was designed to allow snow to slide off, since the village is in one of the heaviest snowfall areas.
Snow amounts in this part of Japan may reach two to three meters.
In this snowy environment, Shirakawa-go is lit up every year.
The scenery is mystical, giving visitors the impression that they have arrived in a fairy land.
Shirakawa-go catches the visitor's heart.
[Information]
Shirakawa-go Tourist Association
Web:
http://www.shirakawa-go.gr.jp/top/TEL: 05769-6-1013 (9：00~17：00) (7 days a week)
Shirakawa-go light-up: http://lightup.asia/
Days: 7 days in 2015:
Jan 17 (Sat), Jan 24 (Sat), Jan 24 (Sat), Jan 25 (Sun), Jan 31 (Sat), Feb 1 (Sun), Feb 7 (Sat), Feb 14 (Sat)
Illumination hours: 17：30~19：30
Tour by minibus: Reservations only
Map:
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