Shirakawago Travel Guide (白川郷) | Most Beautiful Place We Visited in Japan

Join us on a day trip to Shirakawago in this travel guide as we explore the most beautiful place we visited in Japan. Shirakawa-go (白川郷) is known for its traditional Japanese farmhouses (gassho) - also known as the praying hand houses for its a-frame shape - in a valley surrounded by mountains. The trip from Takayama was approximately 50 minutes away and cost roughly $20 USD per person.
Our first stop in Shirakawa was the observatory where we had sweeping panoramic views of the incredible architecture and mountains from a high vantage point which cost 200 Yen per person for the local bus. In terms of getting back down, we decided to walk which ended up being a great idea.
Walking around Shirakawago Village you notice houses, shops, rice paddies, and people out doing laundry. We visited in summer; however, every season offers a unique atmosphere in the village. Something fascinating is that cold drinks are refrigerated with mountain running water and trash is to be carried and disposed of by guests.
To cool down we grabbed our first bite which was a refreshing green-tea matcha ice cream for 350 Yen per person. Our next stop was the outdoor open-air museum (600 Yen per person), which ended up being one of our favorite attractions, visiting temples and crossing bridges along the way. We grabbed soba and tempura for lunch.
In the open air museum we visited waterfalls, streams and gassho houses. We ended up just hopping from farmhouse to farmhouse to call down enjoying some free tea along the way.
We visited the Old Fujisaki House where it was free and cool inside.
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SOCIAL MEDIA & TRAVEL BLOGS
AUDREY:
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SAMUEL:
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Shirakawago Travel Guide (白川郷) | Most Beautiful Place We Visited in Japan:
Hey guys! We are Samuel and Audrey, a vlogging travel couple from Canada. In this travel channel we share our travel and food vlogs while touring the world. Our most recent trip was to Japan where we spent 2 months traveling around the country and visiting the following destinations: Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Nikko, Takayama, Yokohama, Odaiba, Shirakawa-gō and Takao.
During our stay, we visited a mixture of big cities and small rural towns, where we enjoyed eating Japanese street food, trying traditional Japanese cuisine, visiting local attractions and staying in unique accommodations (such as capsule hotels and ryokans) that we are now going to share with you on this channel. The combination and contrast of visiting futuristic cities and traditional countryside areas is what makes travel to Japan so fascinating. Ultra modern versus traditional. This is the essence of Japan.
Our trip to Japan was unforgettable and until now it is one of our favorite countries that we have come to know. However, we only feel as though we just scratched the surface on this trip to Japan. If you want to see more videos from Japan in the future, let us know in the comments that places you'd like us to travel to and food experiences you would like to see on this travel channel.
Have you traveled to Japan before? What was your experience like? Please share your Japan travel tips, advice and experiences in the comments below.
Thanks again for watching our Japan series! Until next time!
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If you're new to our channel or this Japan series please check out the following playlists to get caught up on all of our videos:
All of our Japan travel + food videos: • Japan Travel Guide | T...
Japanese food videos (only): • Playlist
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This is part of our Travel in Japan video series showcasing Japanese food, Japanese culture and Japanese cuisine.
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Music We Use: bit.ly/SamAudreyMusic

[@samuelandaudrey]

🎟Get your Japan Rail Pass: bit.ly/JRTrainPass

[@BeyondYourDoorstep]

Rice fields + mountains + Japanese culture = PERFECTION 😍

[@dobmaster4412]

*Vietnam flashbacks*

[@sebastiansaucedo6797]

Beware Oyashiro-sama's curse!!

[@no_username22]

Damn I was waiting for this comment 😂😂😂

[@fifuga8473]

*Starts scratching throat

[@mkvickyvlogs7280]

Hi

[@FreedomStrider]

I cannot get over how natural and at ease Japanese villages look in the environment, they look perfect! Stunning!

[@Fernadotube]

The nature is so pure, green mountain, blue sky...all are wonderful lovely. Thanks for sharing beautiful cinematic of Shirakawago....

[@michaelsylvester7272]

What gorgeous views. Thanks for sharing.

[@monkeyfoo-chanyurichannel2169]

“Konnichiwa “🤗 凄い素敵✨⛰👏私も行ってみたいです😍 Gorgeous scenery. It looks like the world of Totoro.🤗 Have a nice trip!🌈🌸⛰

[@glotaro1]

this is one of my favorite place to visit in Japan. so peaceful... I also love the town of Takayama

[@MastMaulaPuran]

Absolutely fantastic and fabulous travel vlog, I really enjoy watching. big thumbs up and have a great week.

[@nikkoworldtravels7806]

Been here last winter and indeed it is the most beautiful sight to see in Japan. The gasho-zukuri farmhouses looks even more magical covered under a blanket of snow!

[@Marcus.Anthony]

Your vlogs in Japan have been so special, I can't wait to visit. Just watching the different levels of environments throughout this journey, is captivating. Thanks for showing us all.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much, Marcus! Japan far exceeded our expectations. Oddly enough we ended up enjoying the rural areas more than the big famous cities. If we were to revisit again in the future we'd prioritize exporing more rural areas.

[@srijanchandrakar5982]

So beautiful place. Lovely video

[@matsuken521]

The dip source is both for Soba noodles and Tenpura fried foods. But the salt is only for Tenpura. It seems it is strange to sprinkle salt over Soba. Anyway I hope you enjoyed them.

[@rrlim216]

exactly...it is so funny...

[@chanduim8501]

Wonderful village.I'll come one day

[@saori127]

It's nice. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan.

[@MelisaSJ]

Thank you for this video. I’m going there this November. Can’t wait ! 💕

[@truevision818]

Another epic video with lots of cool shots 👍🏻👍🏻

[@MaikeVogtLueerssen]

How beautiful!!! This is so far my favourite video of your Japanese trip!!! And the music supporting this video is divine!!! Love to both of you!

[@sasakisadao8]

Great travel journalism! I truly enjoyed the vlog. Thank you guys!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

That has to be the coolest way to keep drinks cool! Spring water! But Shirakawago is such a beautiful town and makes for an amazing day trip.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Such a clever system!

[@Lalunabreeze]

Best video. Great editing..sheer beauty. Such a lovely country. What a cute town. We learn so much from you. Thanks so much✅❤️💋

[@A.J_inJapan]

You guys are getting more adorable after every video. I love you guys making videos of such historic places. Arigato Gozaimasu

[@AussieAngeS]

Oh gosh that looks so beautiful 😍

[@cakeswithfaces]

I’ve seen pictures of Shirakawagie so many times, it must be amazing to be there for real. It didn’t look like there were too many tourists there either.

[@davidwolstenholme3672]

yes i have seen the place to but thats only because wonderful people like you and others take old buggers like me on my sofa travels

[@mabellagat6279]

Sending my love to both of you guys!! It's my "dream dream" to go there this summer. Thanks for this video , It will be part of our itinerary.

[@sheetalmudaliar]

Thankyou so much for showing such a beautiful place.loved it.hope to see more of beautiful places.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much Sheetal! We just loved visiting.

[@suayhughes8103]

Clean and peaceful 👍👍

[@bettysanchez118]

Bellísimo lugar, increíble, fue como pasar la línea del tiempo. Gracias por soportar el calor y compartir esta aventura. Saludos 🙋‍♀️

[@Nubianette]

Omg! What a beautiful place! I think I would choose spring or fall for the weather.

[@msco.ronado]

Always wanted to go here 🤗

[@AutumnLilly]

Shirakawa-gō was by far my favorite place we visited. We went in the fall and loved the cooler weather and colorful foliage but this was great to see it in another light. Great video!

[@samuelandaudrey]

That's so cool! It must be stunning in autumn.

[@user-pu4fc3dq7l]

直訳の日本語が、とてもユニーク。日本を楽しまれているようで、良かった。 welcome to Japan! have fun！

[@cc-uj7mi]

Love Japan vlogs 💖💕

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much!

[@SuperZeldaGirl]

This is the number one place i want to visit in the world, so beautiful.

[@samuelandaudrey]

It must be a wonderland in winter with a dusting of snow.

[@ruwgirl]

It's so beautiful my gosh 😍💕

[@Lovecatxoxo]

I love it!! I'll deftly go next time when I visit Japan. ; )

[@rekka1195]

とても素敵な動画をありがとうございます

[@andgainingspeed]

Yum! Dipping cold soba noodles into the dipping broth so perfect in the summer. Another nice leg in your trip from last year. I like the leisurely pace of rural portion of the trip. 👍

[@sarahsilvavillacorta269]

Hi Audrey and Sam ... loving your Japan series. I fell in love with the beauty of the inland sea when I lived in Japan, hope you get to go there. Thank you for a glimpse into some places that I never got to visit! Cold noodles in summer .... the best!!!!

[@bajlandia2025]

Right guys it is so beautiful place in Japan as you tell :) Japan is stunning and on my wish -list. Maybe one day I will see some Japan :) maybe :) and of course I'm waiting for the next videos guys ..

[@dodoapexch1389]

Really thank you for comming to and enjoying Japan!!!

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much! We just loved Japan.

[@wasabi_sabi]

Nice trip video and nice cornfrost! Thanks.

[@brunogambini5683]

What an interesting place in Japan! I found it so beautiful and different from what I expect to see in the country.

[@samuelandaudrey]

It's quite the contrast to the big cities, for sure!

[@samanthainlove]

That place is truly incredible and gorgeous. It’s like going back to the old school japan. There are so many gorgeous places like this in japan that makes you feel like your in old japan and nothing like the high tech city’s of japan.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks Samantha! It sure is beautiful.

[@granstudioUSA]

We just visited Shirakawago in late April 2019, during the latter days of the cherry blossoms. It was a bit drizzly when we visited but we enjoyed it tremendously. Thanks for giving us a more in-depth experience of this lovely village. I agree.... winter would be gloriously beautiful.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks! Great to hear about your experience.

[@mitsukimouse4721]

thank u for guiding me here, Coz soon we will be there and were very exited, I've enjoyed watching

[@Posey12345]

Watching your Japan series again I just love those videos and I just Love Japan cannot wait to visit

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much Effie! Ah, we so miss Japan. We'd love to visit more rural places if we go back.

[@JerryRojas]

Wow japan has much to offer. I love the vibes feels like im in a new world were there is no pollution.

[@samuelandaudrey]

It is beautiful in these region Jerry.

[@JerryRojas]

@@samuelandaudrey Indeed. I am planning to visit there soon. You may also feature Philippines next time.

[@paulinasan8834]

Yummy! I love your video, thank you for sharing.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks Paulina! Much appreciated!

[@Posey12345]

Watching all your Japan videos again to get some ideas Great videos

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks Effie! One of our favorite countries of all time to visit.

[@Swampzoid]

beautiful mountains . I wanted one of those ice creams too

[@samuelandaudrey]

Perfect way to cool down with those matcha ice creams!

[@buangit5633]

so yeah!! nice video!

[@user-iv2zw1ud7o]

君達は本当に素晴らしい方法で日本を紹介しているね。ありがとう。

[@sarahchan4807]

I visited shiragawa go last year and it was snowing heavily. It was absolutely breathtaking

[@user-ov8jv2wx8k]

素晴らしい！

[@unknowndestinationtraveler5670]

This is a wonderful video that even I, a Japanese who has visited here once, want to go again.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much! That is great to hear. We'd love to visit again someday in the winter.

[@hikaru1117]

I been here few weeks ago, wonderful !

[@dancingnoshigami3662]

How lovely Mr. Cone Flakes is.

[@cmdcrey]

Going here in Winter time! Can’t wait 😍😍😍

[@samuelandaudrey]

Exciting to hear!

[@LittleThingsinJapan]

What a stunning place! Japanese countryside is breathtaking. Thanks for sharing this video... very nice!

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much! It sure is! Would love to visit in winter as well.

[@LittleThingsinJapan]

@@samuelandaudrey come to Shiga prefercture in winter...its amazing and Mt. Ibuki is a very nice destination somehow still not covered with tourists 👍

[@elidailyvlog9362]

wow beautiful place 😍

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much Eli!

[@PrideDragon1]

Amazing.

[@samuelandaudrey]

It truly is a remarkable place in Japan!

[@aipooalice]

I mean, look at this perfection 😍😍😍 Japan has a good 50% (or even more) of all the beauty of the world! It really looks like Switzerland, that green 💚 P.S. I love the music you choose for this video!

[@ramsen_]

How beautiful! Looks like somewhere straight from an anime! 😍

[@Ulta_Nagenki]

My all time favorite one uses this. It's called Higurashi.

[@randomnessrules4971]

Your name is Rika but your picture is Rena.

[@MrFlanFran]

It looks beautiful. Jelly like jello. Great video as always =)

[@ThePeteBkk]

I was there in the early spring with wet snow on the ground. Very tranquil. It looks like there are so much going on in the summer. BTW, the salt is for the tempura and the soy sauce (actually, it’s a mixture of soy sauce and other things) is for dipping the cold noodle and tempura.

[@waikuenlee6242]

I 've been expecting to see your video about Shirakawa-go , you finally get there , that's the ultimate goal to visit Takayama.

[@samuelandaudrey]

We hope it was worth the wait! We loved our day trip there.

[@dejuancode6288]

❤ beautiful

[@lotusssypringa]

I was hesitant at first but now this is a MUST

[@samuelandaudrey]

Great to hear!

[@mcr9506]

Thx for great vedio x)

[@risingsunjapanguideinfo8405]

Hope you had a great time in Shirakawago! Actually I have yet to visit there!! Maybe someday!!

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks! We just loved it. It sure is an amazing place. Would love to see it in winter.

[@LittleSparrow.]

My favorite place in Japan

[@samuelandaudrey]

So cool to hear! We just loved it as well.

[@CameronS437]

Super nice video you guys. Thanks! :)

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much Cam! This is a beautiful place to visit in Japan.

[@brianmclaughlin5764]

I keep running across you guy's in utube land, you're everywhere I've been or want to go. In my opinion (and it's a qualified by many years in the film and visual design business opinion) you've got the classiest colour and edit touch going. That whole worked hard to look effortless thing. Very shibuya.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much, Brian! I hope some of our videos have helped you planning your travels.

[@Evy7071]

That place looks like Heaven.

[@samuelandaudrey]

It is remarkable Evelyn!

[@mkvickyvlogs7280]

No doubt

[@oOMissPoodlePantsOo]

This is great recording! I'll be going to Japan in July.

[@Lifeofwomen5154]

superb vlog sam

[@TOKYOSMITH]

Awesome trip! Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Tokyo!

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you very much!

[@cimajeenvet]

Your vid made me feel to eat soba noodle plus wasabi, which is a great combination^^ and crunchy tempra right away! Thanks for this episode, buddy!

[@brandytaylor1986.]

I love those Japanese houses they so cute!

[@samuelandaudrey]

We love4d Japan as well!

[@hmshood9212]

So you want to take a house home with you?! Hauu

[@jwoopark3192]

beautiful

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank yoU!

[@isaokurishita5698]

古き良き日本の風景、世界遺産の白川郷。

[@jesselambert4968]

What a nice couple

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thanks Jesse!

[@ghostghost514]

My lockscreen spotlight today showed this Shiraklawa-go. It is beautiful, so I seached about it.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Very cool! It's a great spot - I hope you get to see it in person. 😊

[@HPN2012]

Hi Audrey and Sam, we just came back from Shirakawa-go and thanks to your video, we knew to take the shuttle van up to the observatory point as soon as the bus from Takayama dropped us off. We also took it down as we saw many cars zipping up and it didn’t feel safe walking down. Thanks for the video!

[@samuelandaudrey]

We're so happy to hear that travel tip came in handy. We hope you enjoyed Shirakawa-go and wishing you a great trip around Japan. 😊

[@TITO-sy2rn]

I have been there, Hida Takayama & Shirakawa-Gou 20 years ago, while I was living in Nagoya, Japan with my ex partner. Yes! Walked on the attic, and it squeaked ! We also went to Takayama Art & Glass Museum, which is graded 3 stars ⭐️ in Michelin Guide. There is also Teddy Bear Museum/ Eco Village, but we did not go there at that time. I am glad that you guys seem to be enjoying very much. 🤗🤗🤗

[@samuelandaudrey]

So nice to hear that you visited too! We loved the place.

[@user-np1ty1wb2b]

What I always feel is that the landscapes of Japan and Korea are very similar

[@samuelandaudrey]

In some ways they are.

[@orz1orz2orz3orz4]

old-style wooden houses were designed to capture summer natural wind . such houses have indoor wind route and keep rooms cool, without air-conditioning machines.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Yup, we noticed it was quite cool and breezy, especially on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the farmhouses.

[@molihua6131]

สวยมาก. ...น่าไป

[@EveryDayHoliDay]

Oh, you've got more than one channel! 😍😍😍

[@samuelandaudrey]

Thank you! We have three.

[@kinkstou]

lovelyyyy 🌟✨💘

[@masanorikuwahara8904]

また日本に来て下さ〜い 🤗

[@beautifulvibedynamic6155]

-OMG- Such fun times ahead :'3

[@marlenejuarez4777]

Me he enamorado de esos hermosos lugares!!! La comida se ve deliciosa!! La forma en la que describen todo es muy especial. Son excelentes youtubers!! Saludos Samuel y Audrey desde Oaxaca México!!!

[@samuelandaudrey]

Muchas gracias, Marlene! 😊

[@esnerazul]

I went there in winter you’re right, it’s like a fairytale.

[@samuelandaudrey]

Ahhh, it must be a dream! Did you stay in a farmhouse or go for the day?

[@esnerazul]

It was like a dream, and that is also the first time I see snow 🙂 I was there only for a day.

[@geniele252525]

it feels like that i'm travel back in time because of this beautiful scenery. so peaceful place, so serene and quiet. it feels Ike you don't have to worry about anything. A good place to relax.

[@El_Yoda1]

Gracias

[@alfinfauzan9211]

Omg, i went to shirakawagi at snow season

[@samuelandaudrey]

Wow! Must be amazing in the winter!

[@shuikicheung9956]

Nippon done best of best environmental protection!So we found whole country of Japan beautiful and comfortable landscapes!Nippon started theirs hard working since W.W. ll to nowadays!So Nippon no. 1 of the world environmental protection!

[@junwhaatt]

love your videos, and def adding this to my next trip to japan! but i had to cringe when you guys were eating soba noodles lol.