Hilma

Where Hilma would send you

1. 1 Shiroyama Observatory (Ogimachi Castle Ruins) Viewpoint Sep 27
   Shiroyama Observatory (Ogimachi Castle Ruins)

   ★★★★★ Hilma's pick

   The walk up through the rain was worth every wet step — the whole valley laid out below you like it was arranged for a painting, roofs clustered and the mountains shutting the world out. Go even if it's raining.

   Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu 501-5627
2. 2 Kanda House Attraction Sep 27
   Kanda House

   ★★★★ Hilma's pick

   The dark interior and the hearth-smoked beams tell you more about how people actually lived in these houses than any museum display could. The view from the upstairs window frames the whole village.

   2499 Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu
3. 3 Wada House Attraction Sep 27
   Wada House

   ★★★★ Hilma's pick

   One of the largest gassho houses open to the public, with silkworm-raising equipment still visible in the attic. The contrast between the dark interior and the bright rainy world outside is unforgettable.

   Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu
4. 4 Gassho-zukuri Minkaen Attraction Sep 27
   Gassho-zukuri Minkaen

   ★★★★ Hilma's pick

   Twenty-five relocated houses from different valleys, each with its own subtle variation on the gassho form. Go after you've seen a few of the village originals — you'll start noticing the differences.

   2499 Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu
5. 5 Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine Landmark Sep 27
   Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine

   ★★★★ Hilma's pick

   The main shrine for the Doburoku Festival — I saw the lanterns already set out, waiting for October 14. Quiet on a rainy September afternoon, but you can feel the festival in the air.

   Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu
6. 6 Doburoku Festival Event Sep 27
   Doburoku Festival

   Oct 14 – Oct 19

   ★★★★★ Hilma's pick

   The village's harvest festival — unrefined sake offered to the mountain gods, lion dances, processions, and folk singing from dawn until late. The main event is at Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine on Oct 14-15, then moves to Hatogaya Shrine (Oct 16-17) and Iijima Shrine (Oct 18-19). Arrive early for the doburoku distribution at 15:00.

   Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine, Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu