The Best Things To Do in Shirakawago

Nestled deep in the mountainous valleys of Gifu prefecture, Shirakawago’s unique townscape in recent times has become a popular adventure destination for those looking to uncover a different side of Japan. Its meticulously maintained thatched-roof houses are worlds away from the concrete and steel skyscrapers of Tokyo, and its lush green surrounds are a great contrast to the paved streets of Kyoto.

It’s a town populated by long-running local businesses and residents who love sharing their passion for tradition and history. Beyond the shops, the town’s natural surroundings are unforgettably beautiful – especially in the middle of winter when the area is dusted in snow. Touching down in Shirakawago, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into the middle of some folktale wonderland.

With their thick, woven thatched roofs, the traditional farmhouses of Shirakawago are one of Gifu prefecture’s most recognisable images. When translated, gassho means ‘praying hands’, a reference to the houses’ high-angled roofs that look like a monk’s hands in prayer. These UNESCO-recognised homes are known as minka (houses of the people), a term used in the Edo era (1603-1868) for regular everyday homes. While they’re from humble origins, a stay in a gassho-style accommodation is the most immersive way to get a sense of what it was like to live as a Shirakawago resident. Most accommodation options offer daily meals, too, and as they’re very popular, it’s worth booking months in advance.

The Doburoku Festival – an annual event hosted from the end of September through to October – is a local celebration held to pray for a bountiful harvest in the coming year. It gets its name from Doburoku sake, a local sake that’s been passed down through generations and is only enjoyed at this particular time of year. During the event, guests are invited to join in on the folk songs and festivities and hang around until the evening to enjoy an array of dance performances.

The streets of Shirakawago are lined with speciality stores selling traditional snacks and goodies, such as toasted mochi and rice-flour waffles, but there’s another must-try local treat: hida beef croquettes, sourced from nearby Takayama. When it comes to quality, hida beef is on a par with more internationally recognised names such as wagyu and kobe. However, you probably won’t be eating your next wagyu steak ground up with mashed potatoes, deep-fried in batter, wrapped up in a paper pocket and eaten on the go – that’s just how the residents of the Hida region like to enjoy their meat.