Located in the northwestern part of Gifu Prefecture and surrounded by steep mountains and valleys, Shirakawa Village in Ōno District is a small rural mountain village with a population of about 1,500.
It is one of Japan's heaviest snowfall areas, and in winter, the village becomes isolated under deep snow. For this reason, it is counted among Japan's "Three Great Hidden Regions" and has nurtured a unique culture and way of life that has been passed down to the present day.
Among its many charms, the beautiful scenery of Shirakawa-go — where traditional thatched-roof gassho-style houses blend harmoniously with the majestic natural landscape — continues to captivate visitors as a rare and authentic image of Japan's rural heritage.
In addition to the gassho-style village, the area is dotted with many other attractions. We invite you to explore and discover the unique charm that Shirakawa Village has to offer.