10 Sights in Shirakawa, Japan (with Map and Images)

Shirakawa-go is the name of the Shogawa River basin in the northwestern part of Gifu Prefecture, and is located at the western foot of Mt. Hakusan. Just downstream, along with Gokayama in the southwestern part of Toyama Prefecture, it is famous for its gassho-style houses.

Wikipedia: 白川郷 (JA), Website

The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama are one of Japan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The cultural property consists of three historic mountain villages over an area of 68 hectares in the remote Shogawa river valley, stretching across the border of Gifu and Toyama Prefectures in central Japan. Shirakawa-gō is located in the village of Shirakawa in Gifu Prefecture. The Gokayama area is divided between the former villages of Kamitaira and Taira in Nanto, Toyama Prefecture.

Wikipedia: Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama (EN), Website

Mt. Sanpoiwa is a 1,736 m high mountain located in the northern part of the Ryohaku Mountains, straddling Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture and Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture. It is located in Hakusan National Park and has been selected as one of the 300 famous mountains and 100 mountains of Japan.

Wikipedia: 三方岩岳 (JA)

The Wada family residence is a gassho-style house located in the Hagimachi district of Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture, also known as Shirakawa-go. It has been designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Wikipedia: 和田家住宅 (JA)

Komine Castle is a Japanese castle located in what is now the city of Shirakawa, southern Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Throughout the middle to later Edo period, Komine Castle was home to the Abe clan, daimyō of Shirakawa Domain. It was also referred to as Shirakawa-Komine Castle or simply Shirakawa Castle . The castle is one of the 100 Fine Castles of Japan, and in 2007 was designated a National Historic Site. It should not be confused with the older Shirakawa Castle also located in Shirakawa, Fukushima, also known as Karame-jō (搦目城) or Yūki-Shirakawa-jō (結城白川城). The castle grounds are also a noted venue for viewing sakura in spring.

Wikipedia: Komine Castle (EN)

Shiramizu Falls is a waterfall belonging to the Oshiragawa River in the Shogawa River system, located in the Ōshiromizu Valley in Shirakawa Village, Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture. It is designated as a national scenic spot.

Wikipedia: 白水滝 (JA)

Mt. Bessan is located on the border of Gujō, Gifu Prefecture, and Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, and rises to a height of 2,399 m (7,871 ft). There are two triangulation stations at the top of the mountain. Mount Haku can be seen from the north. Bessan Shrine is a short distance from the peak. This area is part of Hakusan National Park.

Wikipedia: Mount Bessan (EN)

Myōzenji Temple is a temple of the Shin Buddhist Otani sect located in the village of Ogimachi in Shirakawa Village, Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, and the name of the mountain is Mt. Matsubara. It is known as a gassho-built temple.

Wikipedia: 明善寺 (JA)

Shirakawaji Temple is a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect located in Kawaki, Shirakawa Town, Kamo District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The name of the mountain is Mt. Ohara. Tokai Hakuju 33 Kannon Shrine No. 26.

Wikipedia: 白川寺 (JA)

Nanko Park is considered to be the oldest public park in Japan, having been founded in 1801 by Matsudaira Sadanobu, the 12th daimyō of Shirakawa Domain. It was designated as both a National Historic Site of Japan and as a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1934.

Wikipedia: Nanko Park (EN)