Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are two scenic and secluded mountain village areas famous for their traditional architecture and are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites. Though the villages are actually quite close to each other, and are connected by the Shokawa River, they are within the bounds of different prefectures: Gokayama is located in Toyama Prefecture and Shirakawa-go is located in Gifu Prefecture. Both of these villages can be reached from Kanazawa by bus or car.
Traditional farmhouses in Shirakawa-go in the winter
Gassho-Zukuri
Both Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are famous for their traditional farmhouses with steep triangular framed gassho-zukuri roofs. “Gassho” means the act of prayer, and the roofs get their name because they resemble two hands in prayer. The thatched roofs are built so steep (between 45 and 60 degrees) so that snow won’t pile up on them in winter. The roof structure is built without nails, using ropes and joinery, and many preserved houses date from the Edo period through the early 20th century.
Some of the houses remain private homes, while others are used as guesthouses or souvenir shops. There are also some gassho-zukuri houses that are open to the public as museums. This style of house is very rare in Japan, but examples have been preserved here because of the villages’ remote valley locations surrounded by steep mountains and forests. The best time to visit these areas is in winter when they are covered in snow and in early spring during the cherry blossom season.
Gokayama
Gokayama consists of two villages: Suganuma and Ainokura. There are 9 gassho-zukuri houses in Suganuma and 23 in Ainokura. In Suganuma the Gokayama Folklore Museum displays traditional mountain life, tools, and farming culture. Just outside the folk museum is the Niter Museum, which has an exhibition on the local gunpowder industry.
A combined ticket for both museums is 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students.
In Ainokura, the Ainokura Traditional Industries Museum introduces niter, sericulture, and washi paper production. Admission for one museum is 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for elementary and junior high school students; combined museum pricing is 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for students when both museum buildings are available. Museum availability can change, so check the village information before visiting.
Gassho-style minshuku in Ainokura include long-running inns such as Gassho Nakaya and Goyomon, but availability is limited and should be checked before travel. The gassho style restaurant Gorobei in Suganuma serves local rustic meals such as iwana char, soba, and Gokayama tofu.
Green fields surround Shirakawa-go in the summer
Shirakawa-go
Ogimachi is the largest village in Shirakawa-go and the main area of interest as there are 59 gassho-zukuri houses here. At Ogimachi you can also find the open air museum Gassho-zukuri Minka-en, which has 25 gassho houses as well as a watermill, shrine, temple buildings, and other preserved structures. The buildings in this museum were all relocated here from other areas in order to preserve them.
Entry is 600 yen for adults and 400 yen for children. Other attractions include the thatched roof temple of Myozenji, the Doburoku Festival Museum where you can sample local sake, and the Shiroyama observation point which is the site of a castle ruin and the best place from which to view the whole village. Popular minshuku guesthouses here include Koemon, Furusato, and Gassho no Yado Magoemon.
How to Get There
Gokayama and Shirakawa-go can be reached by bus or by car. It is also possible to travel by rail to Takayama and then take a bus or car from there. However, renting a car is probably the easiest way to explore this area.
The Hokutetsu bus service to Gokayama & Shirakawa-go
By Bus
Hokutetsu and Nohi Bus jointly operate the reserved Shirakawa-go/Takayama highway bus route from Kanazawa Station West Gate bus stop #4. Buses to Shirakawa-go run through the year, while services stopping at Gokayama Suganuma are marked April-November only. The bus to Gokayama takes about 1 hour and the bus to Shirakawa-go takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. A one-way ticket from Kanazawa to Gokayama Suganuma is 2,200 yen for adults and 1,100 yen for children. A one-way ticket to Shirakawa-go is 2,800 yen for adults and 1,400 yen for children. Seat reservations are required and can be made online or through the Hokuriku Railroad Ticket Center.
By Car
Gokayama can be reached by car via the Hokuriku Expressway and Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway in about an hour in good conditions. Driving from Gokayama to Shirakawa-go via the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway takes about 30 minutes. Expressway tolls vary by route, vehicle class, and ETC discounts, so check NEXCO’s route and toll calculator before setting out. For more information on local driving check our article on Car Rental in Kanazawa.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 03-Jun-2026.
