Shirakawa

Shirakawa is a town nestled in the Japanese Alps within Kamo District, situated across valleys and forested mountain terrain. The settlement sits where natural river systems flow through a landscape defined by steep slopes and dense woodland.

The settlement was established as a village in 1897 following major administrative changes after the Meiji Restoration, when the old feudal system dissolved. This reorganization reshaped how the area was governed and organized, establishing patterns that remain relevant today.

The town maintains strong international connections through sister city relationships with Pistoia in Italy since 1994 and Songyuan in China since 1981.

The town is reachable via the Takayama Main Line railway and National Routes, which connect it to surrounding regions. This infrastructure allows visitors to arrive and explore the surrounding area on foot or by local transport.

The local economy depends on forestry and the cultivation of Hinoki wood and green tea in the mountain setting. These production traditions run deep and continue to shape how the community sustains itself today.

Location: Kamo district

Inception: July 1, 1889

Shares border with: Nakatsugawa, Ena, Gero, Hichiso, Yaotsu, Higashishirakawa

Website: https://town.shirakawa.lg.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.58186,137.18783

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:04