Shirakawa Village Enlightens Etiquette with Tourist Guidebook—"Gassho-zukuri Village is not a theme park"

2025.03.28

In early March 2025, Shirakawa Village in Gifu Prefecture published an official tourist guidebook, "Shirakawa-go Rediscovered." The purpose of the exhibition is not just to introduce tourist spots, but also to promote consideration for the living environment of the village and compliance with tourism etiquette, and to realize sustainable tourism.

In Shirakawa Village, due to the popularity of the World Heritage Site "Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village", the number of visitors, including foreign tourists, has increased rapidly in recent years (2.08 million visitors in FY2024). In the village of about 500 residents, violations of etiquette by tourists are rampant, and the impact on the living environment has become an urgent issue. In response to this situation, the village issued a policy to encourage appropriate actions through the guidebook.

The guidebook introduces sightseeing spots and activities in the village, scenery limited to guests, local history and culture, local specialties, food, and four model courses. In addition, the manners and rules required of tourists are clearly stated to avoid problems with residents.

Prohibition of entry at night, prohibition of the use of fire, prohibition of entry to private property, etc., with high-visibility icons and illustrations. Underneath it, yellow letters are used to warn that "the gassho-zukuri village is not a theme park, but is actually inhabited by people." In addition, it also introduces how not to encounter the normal state of intercourse.

The guidebook is 35 pages long (Japanese). The paper version has a circulation of 30,000 copies, including facilities in Shirakawa Village, as well as Nagoya Prefectural Antenna Shop and Gifu Prefecture Tokyo Office (Chiyoda-ku) for free. PDF from Shirakawa Village's official website download It is also possible.

According to Shirakawa Village, about 60% of all tourists were Japan as of FY2023, so this guidebook was first published in Japanese. In the future, we are also considering providing information for foreign tourists.