More Than a Trip—Become Part of a Mountain Village

Stay, dine, and experience authentic rural life through Nouhaku (Countryside stay tourism), where every part of your journey is connected by the traditions of Japan's mountain communities.

Shiramine is located in one of Japan's snowiest regions. Despite the harsh winters, generations of local people have lived in harmony with the mountains, using wisdom, resilience, and respect for nature to sustain their way of life.

Visitors are welcomed into the community to experience authentic mountain living—from traditional farming and forest management to preserving seasonal foods using time-honored techniques. These are not performances created for tourists, but everyday traditions that continue to shape local life.

Discover "Japan as it once was"—and, in many ways, still is. Slow down, connect with nature and local people, and enjoy time to reflect on the relationship between the past, the present, and the future.

Highlights
Gateway to Mount Hakusan, located at the southern tip of Ishikawa Prefecture, and one of Japan's heaviest snowfall regions.
Explore the magnificent nature of Hakusan National Park, famous both as the "Snowy Mountain" in winter and the "Mountain of Flowers" in summer, while discovering over 1,300 years of mountain worship and spiritual history.
The only place in Japan designated as both a UNESCO Global Geopark and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognizing both its remarkable geology and its rich natural ecosystems.
Wander through the historic streets of Shiramine Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, where traditional mountain architecture reflects centuries of life in a heavy-snow environment.
Enjoy mountain cuisine featuring locally made firm tofu, freshly caught iwana (Japanese char), rare traditional grains, and preserved mountain foods. You can also experience Hoonko Cuisine, a unique Buddhist vegetarian meal traditionally prepared for an important local religious ceremony. Vegan, vegetarian, halal, and other dietary requirements can also be accommodated.
Relax in Shiramine's natural hot spring, known for its rare sodium bicarbonate spring water, a mineral composition found at only a limited number of hot springs in Japan. Often called a "beauty bath" for its skin-softening properties, the hot spring is also tattoo-friendly, making it especially popular with international visitors.