While they’ve become increasingly popular since we first fell in love with them years ago, the villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama remain among the most photographed places in rural Japan.

Historically, Shirakawago and Gokayama were very difficult to access, and thus quite isolated from the surrounding areas. But in the modern era they’ve been connected via an impressive network of mountain highways and tunnels, making them almost too accessible.

To experience the villages in a meaningful way ? and minimize your encounters with large tour groups and buses ? it’s worth doing a bit of extra planning, and this article is here to help you do just that.

On the other hand, if you’d prefer to travel to parts of Japan where fewer tourists go in the first place, don’t miss our article on Japan?s best off-the-beaten-path places.
Originally written in 2015, this post was updated and republished on March 2, 2021.

When to Visit Shirakawago and Gokayama

If you’ve done a fair amount of research into planning your trip to Japan, chances are you’ve come across photos like the one above.

The UNESCO World Heritage villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama are remarkably photogenic, thanks to their steeply-sloped gassho-zukuri thatched roofs (capable of withstanding heavy snowfall) and beautiful mountain surroundings.

Because of how popular they are, you may want to avoid visiting during Japan’s peak seasons if possible. T...