[Gifu] Spectacular winter scenery! The Gassho-style village of Shirakawa-go❄

Shirakawa-go in winter is an attractive tourist destination in the snowy scenery❄️

Here is some tourist information for visiting Shirakawa-go in winter, which is full of such charm✨

🏠About Gassho-zukuri Village
Shirakawa-go is famous for its distinctive "Gassho-zukuri houses"!
Gassho-zukuri is an architectural style with steep roofs that is adapted to areas where snow easily accumulates!

In winter, snow accumulates on these houses, creating a landscape that looks like a painting. In particular, the "thatched roof houses" in the village are a valuable place where you can experience the traditional lifestyle◎

🚗How to get there
1. Private car
Due to the heavy snowfall in winter, it is recommended to use a vehicle equipped with studless tires. It is about 2 to 3 hours by car from Nagoya or Toyama

2. Public transport
Buses are available from Nagoya and Takayama. In particular, there is a "direct bus to Shirakawa-go". In winter, there is little traffic, so it is important to check the timetable and operation status in advance☝️
Be careful because it was quite crowded just before!

🧣Notes about clothing
Shirakawa-go is very cold in winter, so you need to take sufficient measures to protect yourself from the cold☝️

Cold weather clothing: It is good to wear something that is highly cold-resistant, such as a down jacket! Chesterfield coats may be tough unless you wear thick clothes underneath🥶

Gloves, hat, scarf:
Hands, ears, and necks tend to get cold easily, so it is recommended to protect yourself from the cold! Heat packs are also very helpful!

Waterproof shoes: Snow and ice can make it slippery, so it is safe to wear shoes that are waterproof and have anti-slip properties!
By the way, when I went there, it was so slippery that someone at a tourist spot slipped and broke a bone and had to be taken away by ambulance😰

Warm innerwear: If you absolutely cannot wear down, it is effective to wear heat tech or fleece innerwear in layers!

🍽️About Restaurants

There are fewer tourists in winter, so restaurants may close early, especially on weekdays!

We recommend checking opening hours in advance and eating early☝️

❄️About Observatories and Light-ups

1. Observatory

Shirakawa-go has several observation decks that overlook the entire village. In particular, the "Shirakawa-go Observatory" offers a wonderful view of the snow-covered Gassho-style village🥹❄️

The snow scenery is beautiful in winter, and it is also perfect for photography◎

2. Light-up

The "Shirakawa-go Light-up" held on winter nights is a particularly popular tourist spot. At night, the snow-covered Gassho-style houses are fantastically lit up, creating a fairy-tale-like landscape. The light-up event is usually held between December and February, and the most beautiful time is mid-January.

⚠️Reservations are required to see the light-up from the observation deck! It sells out pretty quickly, so if you want to go, you'll need to check when the tickets go on sale and prepare several months in advance!

Or, you can join a tour or a hotel plan that includes tickets ☝️

Shirakawa-go in winter is a place where you can enjoy the wonderful scenery of snow and historical buildings, and you can see a spectacular view that is typical of Japan!

Please go and check it out!

#Seasonal places in Japan
#Shirakawa-go
#Amazing view