We bought the round trip ticket - 4300 Yen. The round trip ticket is valid for up to 10 days from date of purchase. Click for Nohi bus website.

The journey was about 1 hour.


Shirakawago is famous for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. It is declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995. Shirakawago is located in the Gifu Prefecture.

Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer", as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer.

Even if you are not a professional photographer, the pictures you snapped here would definitely look nice no matter how you take the picture or from which ever angle, because the scenery is simply spectacular.This is the bridge that gives accesss to Ogimachi Village, Shirakawago's largest village and main attraction.

Bridge view #1



Bridge view #2



Picture taken from the bridge...



We were there just in the right time to catch view of the village in later winter.




Shortly after we reached there, it started snowing...




Snowing quite heavily that time...




We walked up a hill to get a full view of the village. The view was really beautiful and the farmhouses look so adorable!



These farm houses are very strong and, in combination with the unique properties of the thatching, allow the houses to withstand and shed the weight of the region's heavy snowfalls in winter. The huge thatched roof is replaced every 5 years.




We went in to visit one the farm house there. If not mistaken, the entrance ticket is 300 Yen.

A heated was placed near the entrance of the farm house. I sat there for few minutes to warm my hands and refused to leave. Even inside the farm house, it was still too cold.




Place where the house owners do their prayers...




Various farming tools are placed upstairs.




This baby monkey doll is Sarubobo. It is a very popular souvenir in Takayama. If you are going to visit Takayama, must bring back one of these!


Traditionally, sarubobos are made by grandmothers for their grandchildren as dolls, and for their daughters as a charm for good marriage, good children and to ensure a well-rounded couple.
The differently coloured sarubobos are each associated with different wishes...

Blue sarubobo - for luck in study and work
Pink sarubobo - for luck in love
Green sarubobo - for luck in health
Yellow sarubobo - for luck in money
Black sarubobo - to remove bad luck