Day Trip to Shirakawago Japan (from Takayama)

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Wondering how to spend a day in Shirakawago Japan? Do you need a full day? What is there to do?

I took a day trip to Shirakawago Japan while staying in Takayama, and it was one of my favorite days in Japan. The scenery is stunning, and there is so much to do, you’ll definitely fill up a whole day.

I’m sure you’ll be absolutely blown away by the beauty of Shirakawago, just like I was.

Before you head out, here’s everything you should know about visiting Shirakawago for a day.

About Shirakawago

Shirakawago vs. Ogimachi Village

You’ve heard of Shirakawago, but have you heard of Ogimachi village? Shirakawago is made up of several villages, and Ogimachi village is the most famous one. Actually, Ogimachi village is the village people think of when they hear “Shirakawago” — so much so the terms have almost become synonymous.

Since most people are more familiar with the name Shirakawago, I will call it thus in this article, but to be technical, I’m referring to Ogimachi village, which is in Shirakawago.

A beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site

Shirakawago is a famed UNESCO World Heritage Site, popular with tourists. Many visitors come to see the historic village of Ogimachi, which is just as beautiful as its pictures.

Features many traditional Japanese houses

Shirakawago contains over 100 traditional gassho-zukuri houses with steep-sided triangular thatched roofs.

Many of these houses have been converted into museums, shops, restaurants, and cafes, offering a taste of traditional life and culture in rural Japan.

It’s a large, must-see village with lots to admire and do.

Things to Do in Shirakawago

Head to the Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck

After arriving in Shirakawago, get a bird’s eye view of the village by heading up to the overlook, the Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck.

You’ll get an incredible view of the mountains, trees, and almost the entire village of Ogimachi in Shirakawago.

It doesn’t take long to view this spot and take photos, so expect to spend about 30 minutes here tops. There is also a souvenir store, right next to the observation deck, in case you’d like to shop.

Observation deck cost: There is no cost to visit the observation deck.

How to get to the Shiroyama Tenshukaku Observation Deck

Take the shuttle bus. There is a shuttle bus that makes nonstop rounds to and from the observation deck, all day. Wait by the bus stop, which is in a clearing by the road, near Wada House and a restaurant called Hakusuien.

You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see a line of people waiting to board. There is a sign, as well, with details in both English and Japanese.

Shuttle bus cost: 300 yen each way (price increased from 200 yen, as of October 2024)

How often? The shuttle bus comes by to pick up passengers every 20 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.

It can be a long wait, depending on how many people are in the queue. The shuttle bus is not very big, more like a van, but the driver packs a lot of people in, maybe about 30 people each trip.

The bus ride took less than 5 minutes (once boarded).

Interested in walking? There is a walking path, open seasonally, from the village to the observation deck. It would take at least 30 minutes, and it’s mostly uphill.

Cross the Deai Suspension Bridge

The Deai Suspension Bridge is 107 meters long, crossing over the Sho River.

It connects to a large parking lot as well as the Gassho-Zukuri Minka-en Open-Air Museum, which are both on the same side (the village is on the other).

The bridge itself offers scenic views of the nearby trees, mountains, traditional houses, and the river. It’s not to be missed!

Lots of people cross the bridge, taking photos along the way, as it’s just so photogenic.

Visit the Gassho-Zukuri Minka-en Open-Air Museum

Cost: 600 yen (adults)
Hours: Varies depending on the season

If there’s one museum you simply must visit in Shirakawago, it’s the Gassho-Zukuri Minka-en Open-Air Museum.

This was the only museum I ended up visiting while in Shirakawago, and I’m glad I chose this one.

The beautiful open-air museum contains 25 gassho-zukuri houses, a watermill, a shrine, ponds, and lots of pretty trees. The traditional houses, relocated here from other settlements, have been arranged as a small village.

You’re able to tour the interior of some of the houses, but many were closed when I visited. However, I still loved visiting this museum as it was absolutely stunning.

There are so many photo spots, your camera will love it here, too.

You can tour the upper levels of two of the houses — the Nakano Yoshimori House and the Nakano Chojiro House — so look for those on the brochure map (available to grab in reception when buying tickets).

Visit Other Museums in Shirakawago

There are two other museums you can visit in Shirakawago (aside from the Myozenji Museum in the Buddhist temple, which I discuss next).

Both museums below are inside gassho-zukuri style houses.

• Tajima House Museum of Silk Culture (300 yen)
• Binen-Yumeromu Museum (300 yen)

The Tajima House Museum of Silk Culture displays live silkworms and explains the silk-making process in the Shirakawago area.

The Binen-Yumeromu Museum displays artwork and sculptures from artists in the region.

See the Buddhist Temple and Shinto Shrine

Buddhist Temple

The Buddhist Temple was founded in the 18th century, and the building is gassho-zukuri style. It was once the home of a Buddhist monk. Part of the Buddhist Temple is the Myozenji Museum, which you can tour for 300 yen.

Shinto Shrine

The Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine is the main Shinto sanctuary in the village, and it has been in the same location since the 17th century. It is said to house the deity that guards the village. There’s a lot of history here and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Tour Traditional Houses

There are four traditional houses you can tour in Shirakawago, for a fee.

• Wada House (400 yen)
• Kanda House (400 yen)
• Nagase House (300 yen)
• Okuzaemon House (300 yen)

About Wada House

Wada House is the largest gassho-zukuri style house in Shirakawago and is over 300 years old. Its resident served as the head of the village during the Edo period.

The history of the house and its residents are explained in both Japanese and English, inside the house. It also has incredible views of the village from the second floor.

We toured only Wada House — it is a large house you can’t miss.

Note that you’re required to remove your shoes upon entering, but slippers are provided. (Pro tip: Wear slip-in shoes. I wore this pair of slip-in sneakers from Skechers my entire trip to Japan, and taking off shoes before entering traditional places was a breeze.)

About Kanda House

Kanda House was constructed in 1850 when the second son of the Wada household branched out. He hired a master carpenter to build Kanda House over a period of 10 years. At the time, the land below Kanda House was a rice field, so the second son changed his family name to Kanda accordingly as it means “divine rice field.”

About Nagase House

Nagase House is one of the tallest houses in the village. Visitors can explore its five floors up to the attic. Nagase House was built in 1897, and it belongs to the Nagase family, who have been living in Shirakawago for more than a century. Since many of their ancestors were doctors, medical tools from the Edo period are displayed in the house.

About Okuzaemon House

Okuzaemon House, built in 1914, is not a gassho-zukuri style house like most of Shirakawago’s architecture. It’s a traditional Japanese house, displaying historical artifacts, such as a 100-year-old cash register.

Admire the Architecture in Shirakawago

Try to walk all around the village, from one end to the other, because there is a lot to see and it’s easy to miss things.

All of the architecture is so beautiful, you’ll want to take a photo of every house.

Three Houses: There is an iconic view of the “Three Houses” in Shirakawago, where the three houses line up next to each other, making a zigzag with their pointy rooftops. This outline is so famous, it’s even featured on the sewer drain covers in town.

Visit a Cafe (or Two) in Shirakawago

There are several cafes in Shirakawago, many offering scenic views as well as drinks and snacks.

Here are some of the most popular cafes in Shirakawago, offering treats inside a traditional gassho-zukuri house:

• Kyoshu
• Shirakawago Pudding House / House of Purin
• Ochūdo Cafe
• Egaoya Cafe

Try Baumkuchen at Egaoya Cafe

Egaoya Cafe stood out to me because of its owners — two sisters who were born and raised in Shirakawago. One was working the register and the other was making baumkuchen in the kitchen.

What is baumkuchen?

Baumkuchen is a gluten-free cake, and at Egaoya Cafe it’s made with 100% rice flour, grown in Shirakawa village. The raw rice flour is milled in-house, and you can definitely tell it’s homemade. The quality is extremely good.

Two types of baumkuchen

Egaoya sells two types of baumkuchen together, one is hard and the other is soft, so you’ll get to try both kinds.

• The hard baumkuchen has a crunchy texture on the outside and a chewy texture on the inside.
• The soft baumkuchen is a light and fluffy texture that melts smoothly in your mouth.

Have you ever tried baumkuchen?

This was my first time trying baumkuchen, and I thought it was amazing. At the airport, on my last day in Japan, I noticed a 7-Eleven store sold baumkuchen, so I had to get one, but the quality didn’t even come close to what I had that day in Shirakawago at Egaoya Cafe.

So take advantage while you’re in Shirakawago, and try the best baumkuchen you’ll ever have.

Have Soba for Lunch

Start looking for lunch early in Shirakawago because many restaurants sell out or book up fast. I’d suggest having lunch around 11 a.m.

Why do restaurants sell out early? Most restaurants in Shirakawago are in gassho-zukuri style houses, so there is limited seating. Once they’re full, they’re full, and you’ll either have to join a waiting list or try your luck elsewhere. Also, most restaurants home-make their food each day, so once it’s gone, it’s gone.

I knew this beforehand, and started looking for lunch even before 11 a.m. and was getting faced with signs saying “sold out” or “full” at several restaurants before we found one still accepting diners.

Where I ate lunch: We ended up eating at a soba noodle restaurant called Nomura. They seat people, bar style, around the chefs, so you get to watch the magic happen. I ordered the soba noodle set and loved it.

Why try soba? Soba noodles are a specialty of Shirakawago, so I very much recommend trying some while you’re here.

Map

I obtained a paper map of Shirakawago (in English) while visiting the area, and I found it very helpful. I’ve copied it in here so it may help you, too, as you plan your trip to Shirakawago.

How to get to Shirakawago from Takayama Station

Reserve your bus tickets online and be sure to book a nonstop trip.

There are three routes that stop in Shirakawago from Takayama:

• Takayama-Shirakawago-Kanazawa-Line
• Takayama-Shirakawago-Toyama-Line
• Takayama-Shirakawago-Takaoka-Line

Which bus route/line do you take?

If you plan to leave from Takayama and return to Takayama, it doesn’t matter which of the three lines you book tickets with. Check out the time tables for each one and see which works best in your schedule.

For me, I booked my bus tickets on the Kanazawa line.

• I departed Takayama at 9:35 a.m. and arrived in Shirakawago at 10:25 a.m.
• I departed Shirakawago at 4:35 p.m. and arrived back in Takayama at 5:25 p.m.

The bus station in Shirakawago is right there in the village, which is super convenient. You’ll waste no time commuting from the bus station to the village.

Tip: Reserve your tickets well in advance

Book ahead of time, at least a week in advance, because seats fill up, and you want to make sure to get a reserved seat. I booked my bus tickets 3 weeks in advance, just in case.

I’ve read that people who wait until the last minute often have to alter their plans because they can’t get the timeslot they want, or they have to fight over unreserved seats at the bus station. Best to avoid all that by planning and booking early.

Be sure to print out your bus ticket confirmation email as you’ll have to present it to the driver.

Cost: I paid 2,800 yen per person, each way, for my bus tickets for Shirakawago to/from Takayama, which is still the current fare.

How Long to Visit Shirakawago

I’d suggest staying at least 6 hours in Shirakawago, so you have time to walk all around the village, visit museums, eat, and shop to your heart’s content.

I was in Shirakawago from 10:25 a.m. to about 4:35 p.m. (about 6 hours exactly), and time really flew by.

I felt I could have used another hour, but I was also content with what I was able to do in that time.

When to Visit Shirakawago

Autumn and winter are the most popular times to visit Shirakawago to see the bright orange trees and the snow on the rooftops.

But spring and summer are also good times to visit to see the greenery and blossoms.

When to Avoid: If there’s one time to avoid, I’d probably say the deep winter months when the snow is too deep and it inhibits activities.

When to Go: Aim for late autumn and early winter, when there are still some fall leaves and just a little snow dusting the houses. This is when I visited, in early December, and I thought it was a perfect mixture, the best of both worlds.

Tips for Visiting Shirakawago

Pack out your trash. There are no trash cans in Shirakawago, which is common in Japan. Bring an extra bag with you to store trash until you get back to your hotel.

Wear slip-in shoes. Some traditional houses require you to remove shoes, so it’s convenient to wear slip-in sneakers, weather permitting. I wore this pair of slip-in sneakers from Skechers my entire trip to Japan, and taking off shoes before entering traditional places was a breeze.

Don’t trespass. All houses are private property. Some are open to the public, but for those you will have to pay for entry. Don’t walk too closely to the houses or try to peer in windows.

Be respectful and obey all rules. There are posted signs around Shirakawago, telling tourists to walk slowly, watch for cars, be quiet, and so on, so be sure to be observant and respectful while visiting this beautiful place.

Where to Stay When Visiting Shirakawago

If you’re doing a day trip to Shirakawago from Takayama, while in Takayama, I recommend staying in a ryokan.

What is a ryokan? A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, one of the oldest forms of hospitality, dating back to the 8th century. You’ll find traditional Japanese decor like tatami mats and Japanese futon beds as well as omotenashi hospitality and kaiseki multi-course meals.

I highly recommend staying in a ryokan because it offers you an opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese lifestyle. This is even more crucial when visiting a place like Takayama, which is steeped in history and custom.

My top ryokan pick is Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama, and you can read my full review of this ryokan in Takayama, which I absolutely loved.

What to Pack for Your Trip to Japan

Comfortable and convenient footwear

You’ll likely walk a lot while visiting Japan, so a good pair of walking shoes is a must. However, one additional recommendation is make sure your sneakers are slip-in.

Why wear slip-in sneakers?

Many traditional places in Japan, including houses within Shirakawago, require guests to remove shoes before entering. Shoes with a lot of laces are hard to get off. But slip-ins? A breeze.

• Slip-in sneakers — I wore this pair of slip-in sneakers from Skechers my entire trip to Japan, and it was so convenient! I didn’t even have to sit down to take off my shoes, like everyone else did. My shoes just slipped right off. I also felt comfortable in these shoes despite walking 20,000 steps every single day.
• Ankle socks — Be sure to wear ankle-covering socks with your shoes so you don’t get blisters with all that walking. I wore these Hanes ankle socks every day of my trip to Japan and didn’t get a single blister.

Favorite travel essentials

• I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
• I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized.
• I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
• I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
• For Americans, I recommend getting the Capital One Venture X credit card to relax and eat free food in select airport lounges. I’ve had my Capital One Venture X credit card for a few years now, and accessing airport lounges is my absolute favorite perk of the card. Every lounge is different, but most have a buffet available where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content. The annual fee of this card is high, but it evens out with the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles you get (on top of lounge access and free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry)!

FAQs about a Day Trip to Shirakawago from Takayama

Can you do a day trip to Shirakawago?

Yes, you definitely can do a day trip to Shirakawago, but I recommend it only if you are staying nearby, such as in Takayama. I think if you were coming from somewhere farther like Tokyo, you would lose too much time commuting and it wouldn’t be as successful of a day trip.

Is it worth going to Shirakawago?

It’s absolutely worth visiting Shirakawago! It’s a beautiful place with a lot of history, perfect for people who like wandering around small towns and taking pictures of pretty scenery.

Is it better to visit Shirakawago or Hida Folk Village?

Not sure which to visit or if you should visit both? I do recommend visiting both, if possible, as they are different enough. If you can’t visit both due to time constraints then I’d suggest prioritizing Shirakawago. I was much more impressed with Shirakawago and glad I visited.

How many hours to stay in Shirakawago?

Expect to spend about 6 hours in Shirakawago. This is the amount of time I had in the village, and I thought it was perfect.

Would Shirakawago be better as a day trip or overnight stay?

It really depends on your interests. If you were to stay overnight, you would be able to see Shirakawago all lit up in the nighttime, and there would be far less tourists. But if a day trip fits better in your plans, then you can definitely do that, instead.

Is Shirakawago very touristy?

A lot of tourists do visit, but I didn’t find it too crowded to the point where it’s unbearable. Once you start walking around the village, spreading out, there aren’t as many people crowding around. I was able to have many moments on my own, which is nice.

Which part of Japan is Shirakawago?

Shirakawago is in Gifu Prefecture, about an hour from Takayama, in the mountains.

Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to Japan

Best Ryokan in Takayama Japan: Hanaougi Bettei Iiyama (Review + Comparison)

Guide to Visiting Hida Folk Village in Takayama Japan

Hida Folk Village vs Shirakawago: Which to Visit?

How to Plan a Day Trip to Mt Fuji from Tokyo