E-e-ze-na Yado Net Hida Takayama Ryokan＆Hotel Association Official Site

Shirakawa Village is located in the northwestern part of Gifu Pref.and is next to Gokayama Village in Toyama pref., and west of the village are the Hakusan Mountains which border Ishikawa Pref. and Gifu Pref..

It is a typical mountain village that is surrounded by mountains.
Mountains and forests account for 96% of the area and the remaining 0.4% is cultivated land.

The Doburoku Matsuri Festival Holl is located on the site of the Shirakawa-hachiman Shrine. Visitors can learn about the Doburoku Matsuri Festival and can get a free taste of doburoku sake. Admission fee adult \300-, child \100- Closed from November to March.

Built in the mid to late Edo Period, this well-preserved house is the largest remaining Gassho style house in Shirakawa-go. Documents and licenses still in the possession of the family show that the house was home to an official who dealt in raw silk and niter. Admission fee adult \300-, child \150-

This open-air museum includes many Gassho-zukuri houses transferred from Shirakawa Village and restored here. You can enjoy the life which the people used to spend a long time ago. "Soba-dojyo" is near here ,where you can also experience making Soba (buckwheat noodles). ( Advanced booking is needed) Admission fee adult \500-, child \300-

The Family whose pedigree continued for 250 years, and because the family practiced medicine from the first to third generation, there are many medical instruments remaining from the Edo Period. It is a Gassho-style house standing five stories high. A pillar that is 11 meters long(rafter) supports the huge sloping roof from the ground to the top, shaping big roof. Admission fee adult \300-, child \150-

The branch of the Wada clan established their house here and built up a sake brewing business. This is a high-quality Gassho-style house with its steep rafters, where delicate carpentry work can be seen,and a truly advanced room layout. Admission fee adult \300-, child \150-

The many traditional Gassho Style houses have been designated as World Heritage.he scene of 114 houses with thatched roofs in Gassho style remind us of ancient Japan. Ogimachi-Jyoshi (the observation platform) commands a wonderful panorama of this village.

Hakusan Super Highway is a 33.3 km-long driving course from Shirakawa-go to Kaga Hot Spring District. You can enjoy the wonderful nature and the seasonal view.Open:from 5th June to 10th November (closed in winter) Passenger car\3,150-

Gassho-zukuri houses displaying pictures contributed by local artist,Mr.Zin HOMURA, are opened to the public.(some 50 items) Open: 9:00-16:30 Closed: in winter from December to March

14th - 19th Oct. People pray to the mountain god for safety and a good harvest and offer doburoku(unrefined sake) to the shrine to express their gratitude. While private alcoholic beverage production is banned in Japan, people in Shirakawa are given special permission to produce doburoku for a limited quantity for this festival. Doburoku looks like rice porridge. It is thick and slightly sweet. Doburoku first offered to the shrine later entertains people gathered in the precincts. People there dance, perform niwaka(improvised buffoonery), sing songs and so on. The Doburoku Matsuri Festival is the biggest among the festivities for the villagers.

Festival day for each shrine

Schedule for the festival

Schedule	Contents	Notes
9:00-	festival	Shinto rites Ceremony at a shrine
9:00-	going round the town	Parade
15:00-16:00	dedicating Shishimai	Precincts of a shrine
15:00-16:00	blessing with Doburoku	Precincts of a shrine
15:00-16:00	dedicating the folk songs	"Hougei-den" at a shrine
19:00-	dedicating Shishimai	Precincts of a shrine
21:00-	dedicating public entertainment	"Hougei-den" at a shrine