Shirakawa-go MAP

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One and only liquor shop in Shirakawago “Kondo” store A broad kinds of alcohol are available at this store from different kinds of local sake to beer brewed in Shirakawago. The beer is made from locally grown rice and barley, which makes its taste refreshing and rich. You can’t find any better combination than that of this beer and grilled hida beef in sticks or hida crocket. There is also limited edition “Doburoku (sake flavoured) soft ice cream available between April and November, highly recommended!. Opening Hours10:00～17:00 ClosedNon-scheduled Access5 min from bus terminal on foot URL →Trip Advisor

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A restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and traditional taste. They cook seasonal and local ingredients into unique dishes in their style. Teppan grilled tofu set menu is worth trying.Otherwise soba noodles, other set menu with beef, chicken, and mountain vegetable are also available. Opening Hours10:00～14:00 ClosedNon-scheduled Access1 min from bus terminal on foot URL →Trip Advisor

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It’s one and only restaurant in Shirakawago, converted from an old thatched house used to be a residence, which is specialized in river fish dishes, standing as if it was from an old tale. They catch fish from a spring running around the restaurant and bring them to a kitchen straight and cook so that you can enjoy very fresh river fishes. Not only an immaculate river fish dishes, this restaurant also offers a really relaxing atmosphere with beautiful seasonal views. Since they are closed irregularly, make sure if it is open at the information center in the bus terminal. Opening Hours10:00～15:00 ClosedNon-scheduled Access17 min from bus terminal on foot URL →Trip Advisor

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Looking for a nice and cozy cafe? Ochiudo it is! Upon your order for coffee, the coffee is served in a cup you choose among those coffee cups collected by the owner. Don’t miss their nice and spicy curry and mochi(sticky rice cake) in soup of sweet azuki beans. The azuki beans dessert is warmed up at a traditional fireplace in the cafe. Opening Hours11:15～16:00 ClosedNon-scheduled Access8 min from bus terminal on foot URL →Trip Advisor

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Looking for a light meal? At Ippukuchina, very friendly staffs welcome you with a broad types of light meals such as crockett, hida beef rice ball, and soft ice cream. Coffee and soft drinks are also available. At the terrace, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Shirakawago, thatched roof houses and nature in harmony. Noodle dishes can be served inside the restaurant as well. Opening Hours10:00～16:00 ClosedNon-scheduled Access8 min from bus terminal on foot URL →Trip Advisor

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A long time before Shirakawago became a world heritage site, people had raised awareness of preventing house fires. There was several fire accidents before, so until now the villagers still take turns to watch out for fire in the village at night. In the village, around 60 of both fire extinctions and deluge guns are placed around every corner. Furthermore, there is a fire drill once every year in November and all the deluge guns are checked upon that time.

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It used to be a place where people cooked, kept warm, dried stuffs and sometimes worked at night. Also it was a social space where a family had meals, gathered, and hosted guests. A fireplace played a central role in the house and remains one of the symbolic items among the thatched roof houses.

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It used to be a place where people cooked, kept warm, dried stuffs and sometimes worked at night. Also it was a social space where a family had meals, gathered, and hosted guests. A fireplace played a central role in the house and remains one of the symbolic items among the thatched roof houses.

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“YUI” is a term for a community support system in a small village or an autonomous unit. It also means the spirit of mutual support that people help each other when it comes to money, time, and labor-consuming jobs. This kind of idea was considered normal not only in Shirakawago but also in other agricultural communities back in time. At that time, every 50-70 years, everybody in a village worked together to rethatch the roofs in a day. (It is estimated that it will cost around 20 million yen to do it). Today, due to the fact that the fireplace in the house is no longer used, the lifespan of the roof becomes shorter, needing to redo it every 30-40 years. It is said that using the fireplace can keep the house warm, keep the roof dry, and strengthen timbers and beams by smoke. As a result, it can extend the lifespan of the house and the roof.

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It snows a lot during the cold winter in Shirakawago, and people have to shovel the snow off the roof 2-3 times a year. The amount of snow falls from the roof can even be higher than the eaves! It is a heavy job to shovel the snow thus people in the village need to help each other.

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The two significant characteristics of the thatched roof house are its gable roof and spacious attic room. This region used to produce silk. Therefore, to keep silkworms, an ample room was designed to match the need. (1) Compared to other types of buildings, it has the most specious attic room(s). (2) It is designed in the most efficient way to get the sunlight and breeze in the house. (3) Since the roof is steeper, it is possible that the house can have more than one floor of an attic room. (4) Because the roof is made of thatches, it is well-insulated, being able to stay cool inside even during the hot summer when the silkworms are kept at an attic room.

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All windows are facing south and north to avoid the pressure of strong wind passing through this area. The roof is designed steeply, facing east and west so that the sun can shine equally on the both sides, and the snow on the roof can melts efficiently.

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Since 1950s, many of the houses have been in peril through demolishing and relocation due to significant changes in society, such as a decline in silk industry and the construction of a big dam in this area. However, thanks to a great effort made by both locals and non-locals who have been well aware of this extinction crisis, this area overcame the crisis and is now a world heritage site!

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The thatched roof houses were built particularly during the period between 1700 and 1950. During Edo era (1615-1867), there was a strict hierarchy where people could not cross the boundaries. The warrior class was the dominator, ruling plebeians including farmers, artisans, and tradesmen. The thatched roof houses were the main place for plebeians to work and live. Like every region in Japan has its own district climate, history, culture, and dialect, houses also remain regional features. The thatched roof house is a place where usually people who practice Shinto and Buddhist live, and there is a spacious attic for keeping silkworms. It is the housing style that well represents the characteristic of Shirakawago and Gokayama.

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After a long walk, why don’t you take a relaxing bathing time at Onsen (hot spring) Shirakawago no yu? You cannot miss trying the open air hot spring with spectaculous mountains and creek views. Shirakawago no yu is one and only hot spring in Shirakawa-go where you can enjoy hot springs as well as nature at the same time. Opening Hours7:00～21:30 ClosedNon-scheduled Access3 min from bus terminal on foot AdmissionAdult : 700 yen / Children (6to12 years old) : 300 yen / Children (under 6) : free URL →Shirakawa-go no Yu HP

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About 100years ago in 1924, there used to be approximately 300 thatched roof houses in this village. During the course of rapid changes both in society and the locals' way of living many of the houses were demolished and they had been in danger of extinction.

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About 100 years ago in 1924, these used to be approximately 300 of thatched roof houses in this village. During the course of rapid changes both in society and the locals' way of living many of the houses were demolished and they had become in danger of extinction.

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For its biggest scale of the house as well as the good condition kept for 300years since it was built, Wada house has been an important cultural property. It is assumed by the size of the house that more than 20 people used to live there. Inside of the house there are exhibitions of things used back in time such as a fire place,daily living utensils, and farm tools as well as an exhibition about silk warm industry. Since Wada house is located close to the bus terminal, it is recommended to have a quick visit if you don’t have enough time to stroll around. Opening Hours9:00～17:00 ClosedNon-scheduled Access4 min from bus terminal on foot AdmissionAdult : 300 yen / Children : 150 yen Stay time 20～30 min URL →Trip Advisor

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Minkaen, it’s an open air museum exhibiting 25 thatched houses. Through the rapid economic growth in Japan after World War Two, people from Shirakawa village started to move out to urban area. However the difficult time when the whole village is becoming empty, people still tried hard to preserve those thatched houses by relocating them into the area where Minkaen currently has been. That was a beginning of Minkaen. At this open air museum, you can learn the culture and history of this village from the thatched houses saved by people back in time. Opening Hours Mar - Nov 8:40～17:00 Dec - Feb 9:00～16:00 ClosedApr - Nov : Non-scheduled Dec - Mar : Thursday Access20 min from bus terminal on foot AdmissionAdult : 600 yen / Children : 400 yen Stay time 1～1.5h URL →Trip Advisor

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Just like other gassho-house museum, you can have a look around in the thatched house, here at Bizen Yumerom you can also enjoy the exhibition of massive wooden art works made from native trees in the area.  There are also wooden dishware available at the small souvenir shop in the thatched house. Opening Hours10:00～16:00 ClosedNon-scheduled Access7 min from bus terminal on foot AdmissionAdult : 300 yen / Children : 100 yen Stay time 15～20 min URL →Trip Advisor

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Nagase house which has been here more than 250years old, since the former owner used to be a doctor you can get to see those medical equipment from the period. Even though, compared to other houses like Kanda house and Wada house, the size of Nagase house is not as big as they are, there are lots of exhibitions of old bowls and teapots which might be interesting! In 2001, Nagase house did rethathing its roof for the first time after 80years. Opening Hours9:00～17:00 ClosedNon-scheduled Access8 min from bus terminal on foot AdmissionAdult : 300 yen / Children : 150 yen Stay time 15～20 min URL →Trip Advisor

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Kanda house is a very spacious house with 5 storages. Inside of the house, a fire place is used throughout a whole year. It is for cooking and keeping the rooms warm in winter, but also for keeping the wooden parts of the whole house dried so that the house itself lasts longer. You can even try Kanda house homemade tea In a room next to the fire place. If you like to spend time relaxing while having a look around, Kanda House is the place to be　! Opening Hours9:00～17:00 ClosedWednesday during Dec-Feb / New Year holidays Access7 min from bus terminal on foot AdmissionAdult : 300 yen / Children : 150 yen Stay time 20～30 min URL →Trip Advisor