It's like a fairytale land! Definately worth a visit! I was there but it was raining. The snow is thick,but still the scenery is mesmerising! The place is big, I would suggest you follow a local tour so that u can skip some queue and their buses are allow to park nearby the museum. If it's not local buses, you have to walk far. The place is big, if you follow tour, they will advise which part you should visit first. This will help to save your time.
Although it's January, there's no snow at all. That's kinda disappointing. Still, Gassho houses are so beautiful. I would recommend to take the bus up hill to see the whole village and walk down the hill to see each house closely.
If you visit in winter, please prepare winter attires. You'll need all of them.
This open air museum has several gassho zukuri houses that were transferred here from other place, where you can also enter (but there's nothing inside,only in one house at the entrance there was a video to explain how this kind of roofs is made), there is a panel that explains a bit what kind of house is that, etc etc.. It was interesting, but if you have little time go simply to the village and have a walk, the kind of houses is roughly the same. Ps: when you exit the museum try the nearby restaurant, they have great cold soba for a reasonable price!
It was snowing when we were there. You need to pay to visit this open air museum but it was worth it. This place was quieter than the main village with hardly any tourist around when we were there. One of the house we entered, we had to taken off the shoes. The floor is extremely cold. Though interesting going through the house, climbing to the higher decks, we went through the place quickly so that we can get out and put our shoes back.
The place has nice landscapes and it was peaceful walking around. The snowing probably makes the experience more magical but I feel the place is a little too overrated.
Everyone say shirokawa is a place that you have to go to visit in Japan. I was there in August and left in 10 mins because too crowded and not enough parking space. Then I have a chance to come again in December. Yes, it is beautiful but not a place that you have to come before you die. It is a day with good weather. Roofs are covered with snow but not snowing. I was in different places in Japan that's with similar view like Miyama in Kyoto prefecture. Much less tourists and less commercial. So think before you come.
