• Brief description: village of 16th century family farms with UNESCO World Heritage status. In Japanese, the farms are called Gassho-zukuri, which means "built as praying hands", so called because they resemble the praying hands of Buddhist monks.
• Duration of visit: 2 hrs
• Opening times: open from 9.00-17.00.
• Observation: it is a good idea to do the whole trip on foot as it takes no longer than 30 min. to get from one end to the other. Pick up a map when you arrive in the village and follow the indications. A trip up to Shiroyama Viewpoint by road is well worth it. Come down from the viewpoint using a wooden staircase on the mountain that you will come across before reaching the viewpoint restaurant on the left. Some of the farm interiors may also be visited to see the lifestyle and tools that were used of old. We recommend the Wada house (entrance 300¥).
• How to get there: by bus. The company is called Nohi Bus with a stop right outside Kanazawa railway station. You should make a reservation the day you arrive in Kanazawa (1hr 15min. - 3,200¥ round trip). We recommend you to take the bus at 8.45h and to return at 13.50h, so that you have time to visit Shirakawago and return to Kanazawa with enough time to take the train to Hiroshima. In case there is no availability, take the bus at 12.35h and return at 16.50h (leave enough time for your train to Hiroshima). Consult the bus TIMETABLE here. We recommend you to take the luggage with you and leave it at the train station lockers. That way you won't have to come back to the hotel to pick them up.