Shirakawa-go
This trip can be done with careful planning from Tokyo or Osaka in a day. The model for Hinamizawa is the historic village of Shirakawa-Go in Gifu Prefecture. It is possible to stay overnight in "Hinamizawa", and I can only recommend staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan accommodation that is over 100 years old.
The trip is sure to be memorable - just be careful not to fall victim to Hinamizawa Syndrome…
*As a side note while you're in the area – Kyoto Animation's “Hyouka” series is set in the nearby city of Takayama.
The picture shows the bus timetables on the line between Kanazawa and Takayama.
The destinations of the trip are circled in the map below, this trip will leave the comfort area of the average tourist considerably!
Directions
From the partner, start the journey on the JR line to Kanazawa. Once in Kanazawa, look for a bus station outside the JR station where buses leave from time to time via Shirakawa-Go village to Takayama. Please note that drivers do not sell tickets, but must be purchased in advance from the operator's office - fortunately it is located next to the bus station. When you get out of the JR station, turn north (or look left at the doors) and get a ticket from the clerk. Below is a picture of the bus company's brochure.
When coming from Tokyo: Use the JR rail network to get to Takayama JR Station. When you buy a ticket, the JR staff will help you find the fastest and most sensible route. There will be almost no train changes. In the same way as in Kanazawa, Takayama has a bus station outside the JR station and an operator’s point where a ticket is purchased in advance.
Hinamizawa
When you get there, you will immediately notice that you are in Hinamizawa.
Leave any backpack or backpack that may be in the tourist info box next to the bus stops, take a map of the area with you and cross the bridge to Hinamizawa!
There are many familiar buildings and houses in the area, and the slope bordering the north of the village has a familiar observation deck from which you can look over the whole village.
It should be mentioned that near the observation deck you will also find the houses of Rika & Satom and Keiichi, the temple where Rika is an altar minister can be found on the other side of the village. Likewise, a certain outdoor storage that is not worth trying to enter at all…
Sorry that the map is a poor quality photo - this is a photo taken quickly from the ryokan when you set off. The intention was to photograph the map better in more favorable conditions but the paper map did not survive intact until then… Hand-drawn markings are the instructions drawn by the ryokan hostess.
Good to know
- There is no taxi service in the village area, so all transfers are made on foot.
- Next to the historical village of Shirakawa-Go, a couple of kilometers away, there is a small traditional Ryokan - "Shirakawa-go Hostel" - where you can warmly recommend staying. The owner of the ryokan knows English and takes good care of the visitors. I recommend making a room reservation in advance, e.g. booking.com through.