Travel Guide Ogimachi

The historical village of Ogimachi is located along the Sho river, in Shirakawa-Go, between Gifu and Toyama prefectures. It has like two other villages, Ainokura and Suganuma (located in Gokayama), still dozens of gassho-zukuri houses, minka (traditional houses) with very steep straw roofs, perfect to protect from the cold and snow in this region. Nestled in an inaccessible valley at the bottom of the Chubu Mountains, Ogimachi was for many years somewhat forgotten, which today allows to visit it in its almost original state. The roads, crops and forests have also kept their traditional aspect, which makes this village and its environment a rare and authentic place, out of time. If you decide to visit the village in winter, the atmosphere is even more magical, with snow covering the houses and the surrounding nature.