The Shirakawa-go and Gokayama area spans Shirakawa Village in Gifu Prefecture and Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture. Route 156 runs from Ogimachi in Shirakawa-go to Suganuma and Ainokura in Gokayama. All three villages are World Heritage sites with surviving gassho-zukuri farmhouses, known for their steep thatched roofs.
This guide follows a day that reaches Ogimachi in the morning and moves on to Gokayama in the afternoon, with roads and places to stop listed below.
Map of the Shirakawa-go and Gokayama area
- Views and nature
- Roadside stations
- 1Ogimachi village
- 2Ogimachi castle-site lookout
- 3Michi-no-Eki Shirakawa-go
- 4Michi-no-Eki Kamitaira
- 5Iwase house
- 6Suganuma village
- 7Murakami house
- 8Ainokura village
- 9Michi-no-Eki Taira
- 10Miboro Dam
- 11Michi-no-Eki Hida-Hakusan
Line: 1 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9
The map could not be loaded. Use the junction-by-junction directions below.
The line follows the full-day route from Ogimachi to Suganuma and Ainokura below. Numbers mark the stops: green for scenery and nature, blue for roadside stations. Tap a marker to see its name.
Recommended drives
First visit: Ogimachi to Suganuma and Ainokura in a day
Park at the village's Seseragi Park car park and walk around Ogimachi. Then head north on Route 156, stopping at Michi-no-Eki Shirakawa-go and Michi-no-Eki Kamitaira, both roadside stations. Visit Iwase house, Suganuma and Murakami house, climb Route 304 to Ainokura, and continue to Michi-no-Eki Taira.
The route is about 36 km, with around 35 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and exclude traffic. The route does not use expressways.
Reach Ogimachi by 09:00
Sightseeing cars cannot enter the village. Park at Seseragi Park and walk across Deai Bridge. The village entrance is about five minutes away on foot.
The car park opens 08:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30. An ordinary car costs ¥2,000.
During Golden Week, the Obon holiday in mid-August, the autumn-colour peak from late October to early November, and the New Year holidays, it fills early in the morning. When it is full, staff direct cars to Midashima Park car park or the Terao temporary car park.
Gokayama villages: park and walk
Suganuma's car park has about 30 spaces and costs ¥1,000 for an ordinary car. It opens 08:00–17:00 from April to November and 09:00–17:00 from December to March. Entry ends at 16:00.
Ainokura's car park also costs ¥1,000 for an ordinary car and opens 08:30–17:00. From Gokayama IC, Ainokura is about 16 minutes on Routes 156 and 304.
Roads you can drive
| Road | What to expect | Length and cost | Hours and restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway | From the Nagoya side to Shokawa IC, Shirakawa-go IC and Gokayama IC | Tolled | About five minutes from Shirakawa-go IC to Seseragi Park car park |
| National Route 156 | From Shokawa through Shirakawa Village to Gokayama | Free | — |
| National Route 304 | From the Shimonashi junction past Ainokura towards Johana and Kanazawa | Free | — |
| Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road | From Chugu toll gate in Ishikawa to Magari toll gate in Gifu | Ordinary car ¥1,700 one way, ¥2,600 return | 08:00–17:00 from September to November. Scheduled through 10 November |
| National Route 360, Amo Pass | From Ogimachi in Shirakawa Village to Kawai in Hida City | 12.2 km on the Shirakawa side, 8.5 km on the Hida side; free | Closed in winter, planned from November to the end of May. The rockfall closure on the Hida side was lifted on 6 October |
| Prefectural Route 54, Fukumitsu–Kamitaira Line (Bunao Pass) | From Nishiakao in Nanto over Bunao Pass to Nakagochi | — | Closed until further notice because of road damage |
| Prefectural Route 34, Toga–Kawai Line | From Toga in Nanto to Minashi on the Gifu border | 12.7 km | Closed until further notice because of road damage |
Places to stop
Views and nature
Numbers match the map.
| No. | Place | Parking | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ogimachi gassho-zukuri village | Seseragi Park car park: 200 ordinary cars, ¥2,000 | 08:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) |
| — | Gassho-zukuri Minkaen open-air museum | Near Seseragi Park car park | Adults ¥800. 08:40–17:00 from March to November; 09:00–16:00 from December to February |
| 2 | Ogimachi castle-site lookout | Cars cannot drive up | Go up on foot or by paid shuttle bus. The lookout faces down over the village |
| — | Shiroyama Tenshukaku lookout | — | A lookout on private land with a view across the village |
| 5 | Iwase house | Shared car park: 30 spaces, free | Adults ¥500. 09:00–17:00 (until 16:00 from November to March) |
| 6 | Suganuma gassho-zukuri village | About 30 spaces, ordinary car ¥1,000 | Entry until 16:00. About two minutes from Gokayama IC |
| 7 | Murakami house | Public car park: 40 spaces | Adults ¥400. 09:00–16:00 (last entry 15:40). Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from 15 December to the end of February |
| 8 | Ainokura gassho-zukuri village | Ordinary car ¥1,000 | 08:30–17:00 |
| 10 | Miboro Dam | — | Completed in 1960. Miboro Power Museum stands at the dam site |
| — | Shirakawa-go Observatory | On the Gifu side of the White Road | Elevation 1,230 m |
Roadside stations
| No. | Roadside station | Parking | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Michi-no-Eki Shirakawa-go | 55 ordinary cars | Shop 08:30–17:00. Closed 29 December–3 January. EV rapid charger |
| 4 | Michi-no-Eki Kamitaira | 57 ordinary cars | Nishiakao in Nanto. Service counter 09:00–16:00 |
| 9 | Michi-no-Eki Taira | 50 spaces, free | Gokayama Washi no Sato paper centre. 09:00–17:00. Closed 28 December–4 January |
| 11 | Michi-no-Eki Hida-Hakusan | 36 ordinary cars | Hirase in Shirakawa Village. Shop 10:00–17:00 from 1 April to 30 November. Closing day: Wednesdays in the National Michi-no-Eki Liaison Association listing, no fixed closing day in the MLIT Chubu Regional Development Bureau listing. EV charging |
Best seasons and crowds
| Season | Highlights and cautions |
|---|---|
| Mid-October–early November | Autumn colours around the villages |
| 10 November | Scheduled final day of this year's White Road season |
| Early December–late March | Winter tyres required |
| January and February | Illuminations. Ogimachi on 11, 17, 24 and 31 January 2027; Suganuma on 26 January and 6 and 7 February; Ainokura on 20 and 21 February |
Sunset is at 16:59 on 1 November and 16:47 on 15 November (Gifu).
Busy places and times
- During holidays and the autumn-colour season, Seseragi Park car park fills early in the morning. Arriving between 08:00 and 09:00 avoids the crowds.
- On very busy days, the wait to enter the car park can reach two hours or more.
- Ordinary-car parking for the Ogimachi illuminations is by reservation. The first sale has sold out, and the second sale starts on 1 December at 13:00.
Roads and restrictions checked on 2 November 2026
- Prefectural Route 54 (Fukumitsu–Kamitaira Line) and Prefectural Route 34 (Toga–Kawai Line) are closed until further notice.
- The White Road is scheduled to end this year's season on 10 November.
- On Route 360, the closure on the Shirakawa side was lifted on 18 September and the rockfall closure on the Hida side on 6 October. The road closes in winter.
- Kuroba Onsen has been temporarily closed since 31 October.
Getting there and fuel
| Starting point | Approximate drive |
|---|---|
| Kanazawa | About 1 hour 10 minutes via Shirakawa-go IC |
| Nagoya | About 2 hours 15 minutes via Shokawa IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway |
| Osaka | About 4 hours via Shokawa IC |
| Tokyo | About 5 hours 15 minutes via Matsumoto IC and Shirakawa-go IC |
| Shirakawa-go IC | About five minutes to Seseragi Park car park |
| Gokayama IC | About two minutes to Suganuma; about 16 minutes to Ainokura |
Set your navigation to Deai-no-Yakata, 2495-3 Ogimachi, Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture.
Shirakawa Village has two filling stations: Hida Sekiyu Shirakawa-go in the north of the village and Miboro Sekiyu in the south. Refuel before entering Gokayama.
In Shirakawa Village, drive on winter tyres from early December to late March.
If you don't have a car
Use the Gifu rental-car listings to find a pickup location. Before booking, check the driving-permit requirements and the equipment supplied for winter driving.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I drive with one day in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama?
Walk Ogimachi in the morning, then take Route 156 past Iwase house, Suganuma and Murakami house to Ainokura and Michi-no-Eki Taira. The route is about 36 km, with around 35 minutes of driving.
How much is parking in Shirakawa-go?
The village's Seseragi Park car park costs ¥2,000 for an ordinary car. It opens 08:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30.
How much is parking in Gokayama?
Suganuma and Ainokura both cost ¥1,000 for an ordinary car. The shared car park at Iwase house is free.
Until when can I use the White Road?
The 2026 season is scheduled through 10 November. From September to November it opens 08:00–17:00, and an ordinary car costs ¥1,700 one way.
Can I drive here in winter?
Yes, but winter tyres are required from early December to late March. Route 360 and the White Road close in winter.
Nearby areas and guides
Sources & verification
Last verified: 2026-11-02
- Shirakawa-go Smooth Travel Guide (Shirakawa Village) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Shirakawa-go Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Gokayama General Information Center (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Gifu Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Shirakawa Village (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Shirakawa-go Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Ishikawa Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Toyama Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Shirakawa Village (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Shirakawa-go Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Gassho-zukuri Minkaen Open-Air Museum (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Shirakawa Village (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Shirakawa Village (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Shirakawa-go Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Toyama Tourism Navi (Toyama Prefecture) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Toyama Tourism Navi (Toyama Prefecture) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Toyama Tourism Navi (Toyama Prefecture) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Toyama Tourism Navi (Toyama Prefecture) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- MLIT Chubu Regional Development Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- National Michi-no-Eki Liaison Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- MLIT Chubu Regional Development Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Toyama Tourism Navi (Toyama Prefecture) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- National Michi-no-Eki Liaison Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Toyama Tourism Navi (Toyama Prefecture) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Gokayama General Information Center (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Shirakawa-go Smooth Travel Guide (Shirakawa Village) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Shirakawa-go Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Shirakawa-go Tourist Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Gokayama General Information Center (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- Gokayama General Information Center (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-01
- OpenStreetMap (map positions and route; © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL; route calculated with OSRM) · 2026-11-01
