Suganuma (), one of the main attractions of Gokayama, is made up of two areas, Suganuma Village and the Gokayama Gassho no Sato. Pleasant and easy to explore on foot, the two areas are connected to each other by a tunnel, which also connects to the parking lot on the hill overlooking the village via an elevator.

Suganuma Village and nine of its gassho-zukuri farmhouses, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Ainokura and Ogimachi in 1995. A beautiful place to see gassho-zukuri farmhouses, the ones here have been well preserved, and a few of them have become restaurants, minshuku, and museums showing the daily life and the washi paper and saltpeter industries, which sustained the region.

On the other end of the tunnel, the Gokayama Gassho no Sato has a number of traditional farmhouses that have been relocated here from the surrounding region in order to save them from destruction. However no one lives in these houses now; instead they are used by school groups for overnight stays and cultural activities.

  • Saltpeter Museum
    Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from December to March)
    Closed: December 29 to January 3
    Admission: 300 yen (also includes Folk Museum)
  • Folk Museum
    Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from December to March)
    Closed: December 29 to January 3
    Admission: 300 yen (also includes Saltpeter Museum)
  • Gassho Cottages

Attractions around Suganuma

  • Iwase-ke House
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from November to March)
    Closed: Thursdays (except national holidays)
    Admission: 400 yen

Getting there and around

By bus

Suganuma is a stop along the bus route between Shirakawago and Takaoka (see timetable). The one way ride from Shirakawago to Suganuma takes 30 minutes and costs 870 yen. From Shin-Takaoka Station, it takes about 80 minutes and costs 1200 yen.

Alternatively, some buses along the bus route between Kanazawa and Shirakawago stop at the "Gokayama Suganuma" bus stop along the way (see timetable and fare details); however, it is possible to board buses only in the direction of Kanazawa and get off buses only in the direction of Ogimachi, but not vice versa. Also, these buses do not serve Suganuma from December through March.

By car

From Ogimachi, Suganuma can be reached in about 30 minutes along National Route 156. You can cut travel time by a few minutes by taking the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway between Shirakawago and Gokayama IC (580 yen regular expressway tolls). From Gokayama IC, Suganuma is reached in about two minutes.

How to get to and around Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

Hotels around Shirakawago & Gokayama

Top rated in Shirakawago & Gokayama
Budget:
    • Shiroyamakan
      Luxury
      Featuring free WiFi throughout the property, Shiroyamakan offers accommodation in Shirakawa, 1.4 km from Shirakawago. Free private parking is available on site. The entire property is non-smoking. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 47 km from the property.
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    • Onyado Yuinosho
      Luxury
      Onyado Yuinosho provides a sauna and free private parking, and is within 45 km of Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village and 46 km of Takayama Station. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can use the hot spring bath and the public bath, or enjoy mountain views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At the ryokan, all units are soundproof. At the ryokan, every unit includes bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available daily at the ryokan. There is a snack bar, bar and lounge. Shirakawago is less than 1 km from Onyado Yuinosho, while Fuji Folk Museum is 47 km away. The nearest airport is Toyama Airport, 81 km from the accommodation.
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    • Minsyuku Koshiyama
      Budget-friendly
      Situated only a 10-minute stroll away from Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal, Minsyuku Koshiyama features free WiFi access and free private parking. A convenience store situated right outside the property, and a restaurant is located within a 5-minute walk. All rooms are on the 2nd floor and fitted with a TV. There is a shared bathroom, toilet and wash basin on the ground floor. The shared lounge on site features a microwave and kettle. The guest house also offers bike hire. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 47 km from the property.
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    • TOYOTA Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute
      Luxury
      Boasting hot-spring baths, a French restaurant and nature tours, the Eco-Institute is just a 10-minute drive from Shirakawa-Go traditional village, a UNESCO world heritage site. It offers spacious rooms with high ceilings and forest views. All rooms at TOYOTA Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute are air-conditioned, with an LCD TV, free wired internet and an en suite toilet. Some rooms have a private bathroom, and some rooms have Japanese-style futon bedding and a tatami (woven-straw) floor. The property is completely non-smoking. Gassho-zukuri Shuraku traditional houses are a 10-minute drive away. Shirayumi Ski Resort is a 20-minute drive away, and Shirakawa-go Onsen Hot Spring is a 15-minute drive. Free pick-up is available from Shirakawa-go Bus Stop, a 10-minute drive away. Both indoor and open-air hot-spring baths are on site, and guests can relax on the terrace or at the games room. A playground for children is provided. The institute showcases various environmentally-friendly initiatives. A set breakfast is served at the dining area. Dinner featuring locally grown ingredients can be enjoyed at La Riviere Blanc for an additional fee, but a reservation must be made at least 3 days in advance. Please note that the area does not have other dining options.
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    • Shirakawago Guest House Kei
      Budget-friendly
      600 metres from Shirakawago, Shirakawago Guest House Kei is set in Shirakawa and offers rooms with free WiFi. All rooms feature a kitchen and a shared bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. All guest rooms in the guest house are fitted with a coffee machine. The units will provide guests with a microwave. The nearest airport is Komatsu Airport, 46 km from the property.
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    • CURIO Shirakawago
      Luxury
      CURIO Shirakawago is situated in Shirakawa, within 47 km of Takayama Station and a few steps of Shirakawago. The 5-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 46 km from Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village. At the hotel each room includes bed linen and towels. Fuji Folk Museum is 48 km from CURIO Shirakawago, while Yoshijima Heritage House is 48 km away. The nearest airport is Toyama Airport, 82 km from the accommodation.
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