Last updated on April 21st, 2024

See how I join the locals to celebrate the Shirakawago Doburoku Matsuri Festival Festival during my trip to Shirakawago. A great experience for Japan’s local festival.

Shirakawa-go (白川鄉) is world-famous for its unique Gassho farmhouse design. This hidden gem sits in a beautiful river valley in Gifu prefecture. The preserved village has strong believe to god of mountain since ancient Japan. During mid of October (between 14th to 19th), Shirakawa is celebrating Shirakawago Doburoku Masturi. This festival is the biggest celebration at Shiragawa region. Offerings are made to the gods of the mountain to appreciate good weather and harvesting.

When planned on Shirakawago Itinerary, we get to know that Shirakawago Doburoku Masturi will be held during our visit. We were just in time to catch the Shirakawago-go Festival which held in October every year. Such a lucky for my Chubu Japan travel trip.

Read on my experience to the Shirakawago Doburoku Matsuri Festival and enjoy the festival with locals.

Shirakawago Doburoku Masturi

Every year, the Shirakawago Doburoku Masturi (どぶろく祭) is held at multiple shrines throughout the village which takes place in October. It is also the biggest celebration at Shiragawa region. While Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine is the major event among all the three important shrine in Shirakawa region. The activities will start from morning until night.

For detail on venue, date, and schedule for Shirakawago Doburoku Masturi, please check on the Shirakawago official website for the coming festival.

We participant Shirakawago Doburoku Festival during our day trip to Shiragawago and have so much fun. In the morning, we spend our time visited the UNESCO Heritage site village. We took some breaks and have our lunch at one of the cozy places for a simple yet heartwarming meal. Next, it’s time for us to join the Shirakawago Doburoku Matsuri.

Related article: Shirakawago Itinerary: A Walk Into Cultural Japan Village

Sacred Procession And Parade

From far, we could see the villagers gathered and started for the procession from Shirakawa Hachiman Shinto Shrine. A portable shrine is carried around and pulled through the village in a parade. We joined the procession and stopped in front of one of the Gassho house.

Two men wearing red-faced and green-faced devil mask with full-color suit for festival performances. They were not frightening and scary. They were very friendly and we also took some photos with them.

Folks Music And Songs

Local kids started their performance with traditional folk music and songs. The folks’ song was performed in a circle and it is being handed down from generation to generation.

Shishimai Lion Dance

A mask lion called Shishi-gashira was handled by locals while two kids fighting the lion by using weapons. They moved around technically and fighting the Shishimai skillfully. It was so cute when seeing the little kids fighting the Shishi-gashira with weapon.

The performance show takes about 30 minutes. Next, the procession moved to another house and redo the same show. Many locals and visitors came and joined the celebration. Some even dress up with festival costume to join the Doburoku Matsuri.

The morning event ended at about 3 p.m. Its time to continue the celebration at Shirakawa Hachiman Shinto Shrine.

Afternoon Event at Shirakawa Hachiman Shinto Shrine

In the late afternoon, the festival celebration continues at the Shirakawa Hachiman Shinto Shrine. There was lion dance and folks song by the kids and villagers.

It was so crowded and probably all the villagers were gathered at the shrine.

One of the special things to do in Shirakwago Doburoku Matsuri is doburoku distribution. Doburoku is an unrefined type of sake made with rice. This milky white doburoku is rich in fragrant with thick and sweet taste. Japan’s government is very strict on sake brewery and banned for it. However, Shirakawa has special permission to produce the homebrew doburoku.

In Shirakawa Hachiman Shinto Shrine, we sat down on the floor with the prepared tatami together with locals. Everyone seems like waiting excited for the Doburoku distribution. You can also buy some snacks such as yakitori from the stalls nearby the entrance.

Doburoku Distribution

TThe doburoku was prepared and offered to local mountain gods in thanks for their protection and good harvest. The remaining are offered to local villages. Locals are happy to share it with visitors and join for their celebration. What you need to do is pay for 500 yen to get a flat cup at the entrance of the Hachiman Shinto shrine.

You can take a sip on doburoku from shrine for one time before the late afternoon event started. But don’t throw this flat cup and remember to keep it. You can use it for unlimited doburoku during the late afternoon festival celebration.

When the event started, some ladies served the sake one by one when there was an empty cup in front. They busily poured and filled up the doburoku into the flat cup.

The Unrefined Doburoku Sake

See my milky white unrefined doburoku sake. It looks like rice porridge but taste so good. We enjoyed the sake and soak in the festival atmosphere with locals. Such a magical experience in Shirakawago.

There were performed on stage but seem like nobody care. Everyone was enjoyed, laugh and focused on the sake drinking. We have almost 5 rounds of doburoku and it’s time to catch our bus back to Takayama.

Most Unique Experience In Shirakawago Doburoku Matsuri

All in all, Shirakwago Doburoku Matsuri is one of the unique experience to enjoy a local Japan festival with locals. While Winter Light Up Event is extremely popular among the locals and visitors. But we enjoyed sacred procession and parade in the morning. In late afternoon, the unlimited Doburoku (sake) was distributed to every visitor. One of my unique experiences during my Japan travel trip.

Still, it is best to stay in Shirakawago if you have the time. The festival event will held until night. We stayed at Takayama Country Hotel which conveniently located opposite the bus station. If you need more accommodation options, check it out the best hotel pick if you are looking for where to stay in Takayama when visiting.

Lastly, this Shirakawago Doburoku Matsuri Festival blog is part of my travel post when visited Takayama and Shirakawago. Check out my Takayama travel and food blog if you are interested.

Travel Guide and Itinerary:

• Shirakawa-go Travel Guide
• Shirakawago Itinerary: A Walk Into Cultural Japan Village
• Experience in Shirakawago Doburoku Matsuri Festival
• Takayama Itinerary: What To Do and Eat in Takayama
• Kamikochi Itinerary: One Day Hike in Japan Alps
• Suimeikan Karukaya Sanso: Best Onsen Ryokan Stay
• Half Day Trip To Shinhotaka Ropeway Ride

Local and Best Food in Takayama:

• Takayama Food Guide: 10 Must-Try Food in Takayama
• Ajikura Tengoku Food Review: Best Hida Beef in Takayama
• Heianraku Takayama: Fabulous Home Dining Experience
• Takayama Kottegyu Hida Beef Sushi: Melt in Your Mouth

Last updated on April 21st, 2024

Read on my Shirakawago itinerary to the well preserved World UNESCO Heritage site in Japan. A walk into magnificently Japan village for its historical, unique Gassho style house, naturals, and people.

Shirakawa-go (白川郷, Shirakawagō) is one of my favorite trips in my Chubu travel journey. It is a unique and cultural Japanese village in the forested mountain countryside. Many visitors are coming to Shirakawago to appreciate their ancient gassho-style house and breathtaking view. It is a beautiful village and a great place to explore. Moreover, we were so lucky that we were able to join the Shirakawago Doburoku Matsuri Festival during our visit. And this makes our trip so special and memorable.

This Shirakawago travel blog will cover on One-day Shirakawago itinerary for what to do and eat in Shirakawago. We will also share how we joined the locals to celebrate the Shirakawago Doburoku Festival. Read on if you are interested to know about this beautiful village and festival.

Getting To Shirakawago From Takayama

From Takayama, the Nohi bus (濃飛巴士) is the only way to get to Takayama by public transport. It runs between Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa with 1 to 2 buses per hour. Some people even plan for three to four hours of stop-over if three to four hours when getting to Takayama from Kanazawa of Toyama.

Most bus rides required reservations through the Nouhi website. And the tickets are available one month ahead of the actual ride date. We strongly suggest for early booking to secure your seat. Some of the time slots were fully booked during our visit day. There is some open seating available but very limited.

Nouhi Bus time schedule and reservation: Click here

For a hassle-free visit, consider taking Shirakawa Day Tour from Klook

• Visit Shirakawa Village, a UNESCO world heritage site
• Explore Takayama, a city buried in the mountainous Hida region

Before our trip, we booked the Nohi bus ticket to depart from Takayama to Shirakwago. We exchanged for the actual bus ticket once we arrived by JR train. The bus center is located just beside the JR Takayama station. It is also conveniently located just opposite my hotel stay at Takayama Country Hotel. Boarding was smooth and the bus departed on time. The bus journey from Takayama to Shirakawago is a pleasant ride with lovely views along the bus ride.

Where To Stay

Shirakawago is doable with a day trip from Takayama. But it would be great for staying overnight in the village if you are enjoying the countryside. Unfortunately, there are not many accommodation options.

Here are some of the accommodation options for staying in Shirakawago:

• CURIO Shirakawago is a newly open accommodation in the village. The location is superb and just a step from the Shirakawago heritage site.
• Onyado Yuinosho is traditional ryokan with modern facilities. Featuring mountain views, and guests canenjoy access to a sauna and a hot spring bath.
• Shirakawago Guest House Kei is the budget option. It has a dormitory room, private double, and quadruple Japanese room for your best stay in Shirakawago.

Friendly reminder: Be sure to reserve in advance as limited rooms are available.

1 Day Shirakawago itinerary

When visiting Shirakawago, you will be astounded by the amazing natural landscape, the friendly locals, and the unique Gassho-zukuri farmhouses around the small town. Shirawawago is a pretty small town, and one can finish walking through the town easily within 1 to 2 hours. But there are still many interesting activities can be planned for your half-day visit on your Shirakawago itinerary. Let’s check it out!

1 day Shirakawago itinerary:

• Vantage view of Shirakawago Village
• Wandering around in Shirakawago Village
• Visit signature Gassho-zukuri Farmhouse
• Have a scenic view at Deai-Bashi Bridge
• Eat the Shiragawago Local Dishes
• Seasonal: Join the Doburoku Matsuri Festival (Fall) or Witness the Winter Light-Up (Special Event)

Vantage View of Shirakawago Village

We reached Shirakawago bus station after about one hour of the bus ride. The bus station was located in the middle of the village. Once arrived, we first proceeded to Shiroyama Viewpoint for a vantage view of the Shirakawa-go village. It was located uphill and nearby the Bus Terminal. Getting there by foot will take about 10 to 20 minutes. You can also take a small shuttle bus which cost 200 yen for one way. 

We decided to take a leisure walk to the Shiroyama Viewpoint. Turn right after the bus station and follow the clear sight. It was an easy trek with a mild slope up to the hill.

Shiroyama Viewpoint is the best place to capture the beautiful view of Shirakawa village with its surrounding mountains. We were so lucky as there were not many people in the early morning. It can be crowded when the tour bus comes in the late morning.

Wandering Around in Shirakawago Village

After some nice photos, we slowly took our way back to the magnificent village. The walk back down into the village will take you past many Gassho houses and a chance to see up close. Remember don’t enter the private property as most of the houses are still lived by the villager.

There were not many visitors yet in the morning. We spend our time wandering around the village and took some scenic view photos.

Some of the Gassho-zukuri houses were beautifully decorated with traditional festival lanterns. It was so scenic, peaceful, and fascinating.

Signature Gassho-zukuri Farmhouse

The Gassho-zukuri Houses is a unique praying hand design with a steep slanting thatched roof system. It can withstand large amounts of heavy snowfall even without a single use of a nail. Some of the houses are more than 250 years old and still well preserved since their establishment. One of the most important sites in Japan is listed as a UNESCO Heritage site.

The most signature Gassho style house is located at the center of the village. Three houses are open to the public for viewing with a nominal fee. We recommended checking out the Wada house or Kanda house. However, it was closed for the festival celebration.

There were also some museums if you want to know more about their history and culture.

Besides, you can also buy some souvenirs and local products at Shirakawa Kaido Street.

Scenic View at Deai-Bashi Bridge

Continue the walk through the village and enjoy a peaceful village without the crowd. We next walked to the Deai-Bashi bridge for its scenic view. It is also connected to the car parking lot if you are self-driving to Shirakawago. Buses and cars are parked at the car park there.

You can enjoy the lovely walk across the bride or take some photos on the suspension bridge. It featured a stunning view of greenery mountains and a flowing river.

However, please take note it can be slippery during the rainy and wintertime.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery in Shirakawa-go with flowing water and fresh air in a quaint village. It can be very breathtaking during autumn foliage or cherry blossom.

Eat the Shiragawago Local Dishes

There were plenty of small snack stations and cafes to try local dishes if you are looking for what to eat in Shirawago. Again, mostly were close due to the festival celebration. Luckily we were able to find one of the soba restaurants located at the center of Shirakawa Ogi-machi.

The Hidaji Restaurant (飛騨路) served handmade udon and soba with fresh ingredients such as vegetables and tempura. We also ordered the beef croquette and red bean soup for a complete meal. A simple but heart warmed meal at Hidaji restaurant.

We have some rest before continuing our Shirakawago itinerary. Next, it’s time for the Shirakawago Doburoku Matsuri Festival.

Half-Day Shirakwago Itinerary

All in all, we spend about three hours wandering around the Shirakawa-go village in the morning. Depend on your Shirakawago itinerary. The visit to Shirakawago can be as short as two hours or up to whole days. Some people even stay one night to enjoy the forested countryside. But take note that most of the shops and restaurants will close at about 4 p.m. We feel three to four hours are best to take a look at the village.

Additionally, we spend our remaining time for the Doburoku Matsuri and leave Shirakawago in the late evening.

Shirakawa-go is a great way to discover the unique Japanese culture, lifestyle, and architecture. Don’t forget to look out for water mills, paddy fields, shrines, flowers, and wild plants. Worth stopping and spending time in this quaint village in Gifu prefecture.

Here are some quick Shirakawago travel tips:

Continue Read On

Lastly, this Shirakawa-go itinerary is part of my travel post when visited Takayama. We also spend a few days visiting the Takayama and have some good food in town. Read on to my Takayama travel and food blog if you are interested.

• Shirakawa-go Travel Guide
• A Guide To Shirakawago Doburoku Matsuri Festival

Related Travel Blog in Takayama:

• Takayama Itinerary: What To Do and Eat in Takayama
• Takayama Food Guide: 10 Must-Try Food in Takayama
• Where to Stay in Takayama: Best Hotel or Traditional Ryokan?

Read more on Kanazawa, Kamikochi, and Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Itinerary:

• Kamikochi Itinerary: One Day Hike in Japan Alps
• Kanazawa Itinerary And Travel Guide: Things To Do in Kanazawa
• Complete Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Travel Guide + Itinerary)

Useful Nagoya travel guide including Nagoya itinerary planning, where to stay, and what to eat in Nagoya.

• Nagoya Itinerary: A Guide For Things To Do in Nagoya
• Where To Stay in Nagoya: The Best Hotels and Areas
• Nogoa Food Guide: What To Eat in Nagoya