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What is the best praying hands village, and how do you plan your trip? Should you visit Hida no Sato Village or Shirakawa-go village?
If you are hoping to see the iconic praying hands village of Japan, you have come to the right place. Please read this article carefully because we will tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip.
In this article, we’re going to particularly focus on comparing two villages: Hida no Sato vs. Shirakawa-go. By the end of this article, you should have a good idea of which village is best to visit (depending on your own specific needs and priorities).
We will share the similarities and differences between each of these villagers. And we will also include plenty of practical information to help you weigh up your decision and work out your own itinerary.
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What are the praying hands villages?
What is the best praying hands village? First we need to understand what the “praying hands villages” are…
Although the praying hands village sounds like a religious site, this is a misconception. The praying hand villages are named after the unique and characteristic shape of the traditional houses. There are several praying hands villages in the northwest of the Gifu prefecture and the south of the Toyama prefecture.
The traditional wooden houses in these villages have slanting roofs (which look a little like praying hands). The roof is traditionally made from thatch (this distinctive construction style is called “Gassho-zukuri”). The buildings are constructed from large wooden rafters and have some fascinating design features such as large windows, open slat floors and an open fire called an Irori (normally on the ground floor). Some of the largest praying hands houses can be up to three floors high. Many of the praying hands houses are now open for visitors to explore and learn about the history and culture of these communities.
- FULL GUIDE TO SHIRAKAWA-GO – Full Guide to the Shirakawa-go Praying Hands Village
- FULL GUIDE TO HIDA NO SATO – Hida No Sato Folk Village in Takayama
JAPAN – The Best Praying Hands Villages Map
Here is a map of different praying hands. Use our map for this (not Google Maps!). There are several mistakes and confusing labels on Google Maps.
Here are a few praying hands villages that you can visit from Toyama (in the north of Japan):
- Gokayama (also known as Suganuma) – this is one of the smallest praying hands villages with only 8 houses situated next to the Sho river. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Ainokura – larger village with 27 households and very beautiful mountain surroundings. This village is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In this article, we will compare and contrast two praying hands villages situated close to the beautiful mountain town of Takayama: Hida no Sato and Shirakawa-go.
BASED IN NAGOYA? Find out how to book a day tour from Nagoya to the Praying Hands village in Japan
DO IT YOURSELF – Find out How do you travel from Nagoya to Takayama
Summary – Hida no Sato vs Shirakawa-go
| Hida no Sato | Shirakawa-go |
| Open Air Museum (no residents) Entry fee 700 yen (around £3.50 or $4.00) Entry to all houses included in the ticket Walk, rent a bicycle or take a short bus ride Takes around half a day to visit Bring food and drinks Lots of learning opportunities – demonstrations & classes | Remains a village with residents (UNESCO world heritage site) No entry fees 1 hour bus and 2,600yen each way (around £13 or $15) Explore a house for 400yen (around £2) Requires a full day to visit Lots of food available Amazing photography (panoramic mountains) |
Praying hands Villages – in brief
If you are hoping to visit the iconic praying hands villages of Japan, then you will need to head to a beautiful town called Takayama, which is situated a few hours north of Nagoya. (You can get here by bus or train from Nagoya.) Once you are in Takayama, there are two main choices: you can either visit Hida no Sato (also referred to as the Hida Folk Village or the Hida no Sato Open Air Museum). Alternatively, you can take a bus to Shirakawa-go (also called Ogimachi), a beautiful village situated in the mountains around one hour to the west of Takayama, if you have a few days in Takayama.
Don’t miss this – Free and Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Praying Hands Village
What are the similarities between each of the praying hands villages?
Hida no Sato and Shirakawa-go have several important similarities. In both villages, you can see and explore traditional praying hands houses and learn about agriculture and life in these rural villages. Both villages are well set up for visitors and tourists, and both villages offer plenty of opportunities for beautiful photographs and genuine moments. Both Hida no Sato and Shirakawa-go are authentic villages with real and original praying hands houses (dating back between 100 – 500 years).
What are the differences between Hida no Sato and Shirakawa-go?
1 Style of the village:
Although it is true that Hida no Sato and Shirakawa-go are both authentic historic villages, they are stylistically very different. Hida no Sato is an open-air museum comprised of around 30 traditional farmhouses. There are also rice paddy fields, temples, and a small lake. This village is purely a heritage site and museum and no longer has local residents.
In contrast, Shirakawa-go is a village with residents and businesses. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, and several traditional houses have opened up as museums so you can explore and learn about the culture and history of the village. If you’re looking for that “authentic Japanese mountain town” vibe, then we recommend Shirakawa-go. Even though this town is a popular tourist spot, it still has a lot of authenticity and charm. We particularly recommend arriving early or staying late (after 5 pm) if you want a more tranquil experience at this village.
2 Entry fees:
Here are the entry tickets for Hida No Sato
There are no entry fees, permits, or tickets required to visit Shirakawa-go. All you need to do is get a bus and go to the village. From the bus terminal, you can freely walk around the entire village. However, some of the houses are open to explore, and you do need to pay a small entry fee. Most of the house museums cost 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children. It may sound very cheap to visit Shirakawa-go. However, you do need to factor in the cost of transport.
If you’re traveling from Takayama, you will need to take a bus. The bus is relatively expensive; it costs 2,600 yen each way for an adult (kids from 6 to 12 years old pay half price). Alternatively, you can book tours of Shirakawa-go village. On the other hand, it costs 700 yen to enter Hida no Sato. It’s also possible to walk to this village from Takayama (the walk takes around 30 – 40 minutes from the center of town). Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle or take a cheap local bus from the central train station. So although there is an entry fee to visit Hida no Sato, transportation is likely to be a lot cheaper.
3 Time required for your visit:
Hida no Sato is comprised of around 30 farmhouses. If you are only interested in a quick walk, you could explore the area in around 20 or 30 minutes. However, if you want to connect with the culture, history, and explore in-depth, we recommend allowing 3 – 4 hours to explore the village. Also, remember to allow for transport time. In most cases, a visit to Hida no Sato will take half a day. On the other hand, if you are planning to visit Shirakawa-go Village, we recommend allowing a full day for your trip.
The journey takes around one hour each way by bus. The village itself takes a couple of hours to walk around (although the village is not very big, there is a lot to see and do). You could easily spend a day in the area, especially if you sample some of the local food, take a visit to the viewpoint overlooking the village, and explore some of the museums. There is also a lovely riverside section where you can cross a suspension bridge and take photos.
4 Places to eat:
Shirakawa-go Village has plenty of places to eat. There are lots of small cafes, restaurants, and kiosks selling a range of local food. Specialties include Hida beef barbecue, sticky rice, Hida milk ice cream, and we definitely recommend trying the sweet sake. The food really is part of the amazing experience at this lovely village. In contrast, Hida no Sato does not have any cafes, shops, or restaurants. There are a few vending machines selling drinks, and that’s it! So if you are planning to visit Hida no Sato, remember to bring some food along with you or eat before you go.
5 Culture and learning:
Both of these beautiful villages provide plenty of opportunities for culture and learning. In both villages, you can walk around traditional praying hands houses, learn about traditional agriculture and lifestyle in these villages, and see authentic artifacts and displays. However, if you are really interested in going in-depth with your learning, we recommend Hida no Sato as an open-air museum. There is a wider array of demonstrations, learning opportunities, and hands-on activities. For example, at Hida no Sato, you can watch a traditional wood carving demonstration, try a traditional braiding class, learn about silkworm farming, or play with traditional Japanese toys. So although both villages provide plenty of opportunity to connect with and learn about the traditional village life, if learning is your priority, we recommend Hida no Sato.
6 Beauty and photography:
If you are hoping to visit a traditional praying hands village, the chances are you will be looking for somewhere beautiful, unique, and distinctive. Photography may be a big deal to you. Whether you are hoping to get some snaps on your phone to share with your friends or whether you are a professional, in our opinion, the aesthetic charm and beauty of the village should probably be the most important factor in your decision.
The great news is that both villages are very beautiful with plenty of awesome photo opportunities. Both villages can be busy, and photography can be challenging. Overall, and on balance, Shirakawa-go Village is a more beautiful location for photography. It is a slightly larger village, so the crowds tend to be more spread out. This village is also set amongst more panoramic mountains (the tops of which are covered in snow during the winter and early spring months). Shirakawa-go Village has a more impressive wild aesthetic and is more conducive to impressive photography.
Top tip
If photography is your priority, we recommend taking the early bus to Shirakawa-go, which departs from Takayama at 7.20 am (you will need to go to the bus station to reserve a seat on this bus at least one day in advance). It is also possible to get some amazing photography around 4.30 pm when the village becomes quiet.
Summary – which village is best: Hida no Sato or Shirakawa-go?
So what is the best praying hands village in Japan? This very much depends on your personal needs and priorities. For example, if you are short of time in Takayama, we recommend taking a visit to Hida no Sato. This open-air museum is located closer to Takayama and only requires a half-day to explore. On the other hand, if you’re looking for that authentic in-the-wild mountain village experience, then we recommend taking a visit to Shirakawa-go Village. If you are interested in learning, both villages are awesome. However, Hida no Sato does have more to offer (it is a museum after all!).
If you are looking for some awesome photography, then both villages have a lot to offer; however, in our opinion, Shirakawa-go Village is your best choice. If you are traveling on a tight budget, we recommend Hida no Sato. Although this village has an entry fee of 700 yen per person, it’s much cheaper overall (because you do not need to take an expensive bus). Of course, if you have time, we would recommend a visit to both villages. Having visited both villages, we found that they offered a very different and unique experience, so it really is worth getting to both if possible.
