A must-visit in a lifetime！Shirakawa-go covered in heavy snow in March transforms into a fairytale town like a gingerbread village

▲Shirakawa-go covered in pristine snow, with rooftops like a layer of white sugar frosting, and houses that look like gingerbread cottages.

Reported and photographed by Peng Huaiyu / Shirakawa-go, Shirakawa Village, Japan

Unless you head to high-altitude areas, the chance of seeing snow in Taiwan is very low. Therefore, for those who yearn for a snowy wonderland but don’t want the hassle of flying to Europe or America, Japan’s “Shirakawa-go” is highly recommended. This winter arrived late, and when our reporter visited on March 9, they were lucky enough to encounter a snow-covered scene. The entire village was blanketed in pristine snow, with rooftops coated in a layer of white sugar frosting. Paired with the brown buildings, the houses resembled gingerbread cottages, creating the illusion of being in a fairytale town.

▲It takes just a 2-minute walk from the bus stop (Visitor Center) to the bus stop for the observation deck.

“Shirakawa-go” is located in the northwest of Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture, and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The village consists of numerous “gassho-zukuri” style buildings. The 60-degree sloped, gabled roofs resemble hands placed together in prayer, a design invented to adapt to the harsh winter climate. The entire structure is made of wood, using only wooden joints and rope ties, with thatched roofs—no nails were used in its construction, yet it is incredibly sturdy. It can be considered the pinnacle of traditional Japanese residential architecture.

▲The “gassho-zukuri” buildings, with their 60-degree sloped gabled roofs resembling hands in prayer, were built without using a single nail, yet are remarkably sturdy.

▲The Shiroyama Observation Deck (Tenshukaku Observation Deck) offers a panoramic %w??xianpinhu?n

When visiting Shirakawa-go, the first place most people head to is the Shiroyama Observation Deck (Tenshukaku Observation Deck), which offers a panoramic %w??xianpinhu?n???and is perfect for photography. It’s a 10-minute walk from the lotus pond to the bus stop, and the one-way fare is 200 yen, with buses running every 20 minutes. If time allows, consider taking the bus up the mountain and walking down—it offers a completely different view.

▲%jizhanyoubuxiangzhengquedejiaotongyuanze, you can enjoy the serene natural scenery while also appreciating the %youxianzhuangkuang.

After taking in the view of Shirakawa-go from above, you mustn’t miss the scenery from the other end at the “Ai no Hashi (Meeting Bridge),” where you can admire the beautiful landscape surrounded by mountains and rivers. The snow-covered woods and buildings give the entire Shirakawa-go village a poetic atmosphere, so dreamy it takes your breath away. If you have the time, you can also visit the Shirakawa-go Onsen to experience the surreal feeling of having a freezing head while soaking in warm, comforting hot spring water.

▲Along the main street, there are many restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and several guesthouses.

Shirakawa-go isn’t very large, and it takes about 1–2 hours to walk around the entire village. There are several gassho-zukuri buildings open to the public, such as the Wada House, Sekida House, Nagase House, and Myozenji Museum … etc. Admission is 300 yen to see exhibits on the construction and craftsmanship of gassho-zukuri buildings, farming tools used by residents, and more. There is also an open-air museum with an admission fee of 600 yen. Strolling along the main street, you’ll find restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and several guesthouses.It’s worth mentioning that during the winter illumination period, guesthouses are always in high demand, and you need to book at least six months in advance.

▲%tianjingtangkuozhanmianji, you can also visit other spots to learn about the architectural features and crafting methods of gassho-zukuri buildings, as well as agricultural tools used by residents. It’s worth a visit.

▲A snow-covered Shirakawa-go adds an even more poetic and picturesque atmosphere.

Shirakawa-go Gassho Village
Address: Ogimachi, Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture
Transportation: You can take a bus from Nagoya, Takayama, or Kanazawa
Notes:Shirakawa-go is not an amusement park but a residential area for locals. Please avoid loud noises and running. Additionally, there are no trash bins in the village, so please take your trash with you to help keep the village clean.