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Ogimachi is the largest village and main attraction of Shirakawa-go. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, the village is home to several dozen well preserved gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old.
The farmhouses are quite amazing structures, designed to withstand the harsh winters while providing a place to work and live, and are best seen either covered in snow or surrounded by green fields. Many of the farmhouses are now restaurants, museums or minshuku, where you can stay overnight.
A number of farmhouses from the surrounding villages have been relocated to an open air museum across the river from the town center in an effort to save them from destruction. This museum along with the large concentration of farmhouses and attractions in town and the area's accessibility make Ogimachi the best place in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama to see gassho-zukuri farmhouses.
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Gassho-zukuri Minkaen
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Hours: August 8:00 to 17:30, April to November 8:40 to 17:00, December to March 9:00 to 16:00
Closed: Thursdays in December through March
Admission: 500 yen
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This open air museum lies across the river from the village center. It exhibits farmhouses and other structures relocated to Ogimachi in order to save them from destruction.
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Shiroyama Viewpoint
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The Shiroyama Viewpoint is north of the village center and offers nice views of Ogimachi and its farmhouses. The viewpoint can be accessed via a walking trail (closed in winter) in about 15 to 20 minutes from the village center or by a shuttle bus, which stops outside the Gassho-zukuri Minkaen open air museum.
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Myozenji Temple
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Hours: 9:00 to 19:00 (for entrance to the main building)
Admission: 300 yen including entrance to Myozenji-ke
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This temple is unusual as it has a thatched roof rather than the typical tiled roof seen on most temples. The main hall can be entered through the Miyozenji-ke house next door.
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Wada-ke House
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Hours: 9:00 to 19:00
Admission: 300 yen
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The Wada family was one of the wealthiest families and village leaders of Ogimachi. Their former home is the largest gassho-zukuri farmhouse in the town, and is now open to the public as a museum.
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Kanda-ke House
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Hours: 8:30 to 17:30
Closed: Wednesdays in January and February
Admission: 300 yen
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This picturesque house is one of the best preserved farmhouse turned museums in Ogimachi. Located in the center of town, you can get good views of the surrounding houses from the windows on its upper floors.
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Nagase-ke House
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Hours: 9:00 to 19:00
Admission: 300 yen
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The Nagase family were doctors for the Maeda lords in Ishikawa Prefecture before relocating to Ogimachi. Their farmhouse turned museum exhibits some medical tools and gifts from the Maeda family. The upper floors display many tools for farming and raising silkworms.
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Myozenji-ke House
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Hours: 9:00 to 19:00
Admission: 300 yen
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The proprietor of this house speaks English and is more than happy to introduce it to visitors. This farmhouse is connected to Myozenji Temple next door and is where the priest of the temple lives. Admission to the house includes admission to the temple hall.
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Doburoku Festival Museum
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Hours: 9:00 to 19:00
Closed: December through March
Admission: 300 yen
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This museum has displays on the Doburoku Festival held every year on October 14th and 15th. A feature of the festival is Doburoku Sake which is produced by the shrine and can be sampled at the museum.
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Shirakawa-go no Yu
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Hours: 7:00 to 21:00
Admission: 700 yen
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The Shirakawa-go no yu is a combined minshuku and bath house that offers hot spring bathing to the visitors of Ogimachi. A small discount is offered to guests staying overnight at one of the traditional farmhouses in the area.
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Attractions outside Ogimachi:
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Toyama-ke House
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Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (December to March 9:00 to 17:00)
Closed: Wed (Tues if Wed is a holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 3
Admission: 210 yen
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Located about 15 minutes by car outside of Ogimachi, this old farmhouse now stands as a museum displaying typical period life. The farmland around the house continues to be worked by local farmers.
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Travel Community
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Popularity of Ogimachi Village:
Users who have been to Shirakawa-go: 128
Users who have been to Ogimachi Village: 701st of 4 most visited sights in Shirakawa-go.
236th of 554 most visited sights nationwide.
Ratings for Ogimachi Village:
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japan-guide.com Rating:
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best of Japan
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User Rating (by 45 users):
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95/100
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highly recommended
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