Situated in a mountainous region, Shirakawa-go, while blessed with rich nature since long ago, has also remained relatively isolated. Combined with the lack of transport routes, the heavy winter snowfall cut off contact with the outside world, causing Shirakawa-go to be known as the “inland island” or an “unexplored region”. Adapting to this environment, Shirakawa-go produced seasonal foods and specialty products, blessed by the 4 seasons and the nature of the mountains and rivers. The goods introduced here are sold at various souvenir shops around the village. Please check this map to find the locations of these souvenir shops, and make some purchases as you stroll around the village.
Last Update:October 14, 2016
 

Ota-san-chi no Soba (Mr. Ota’s Buckwheat Noodles)

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Dried buckwheat noodles made from homegrown buckwheat grains. Made with village-grown buckwheat and domestic plain flour. Please enjoy Mr. Ota’s Buckwheat Noodles; they also make for a great gift.

Caramel Popcorn

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Completely handmade, right down to the packaging, this popcorn is made using corn grown in the village. The cultivation was started by a couple who wanted to make a snack that was truly ‘born and raised’ within the village. The unique taste is a little different from ordinary caramel flavor popcorn.

Rice Flour Waffles

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These ‘village born’ waffles are created using Koshihikari rice flour, and are individually hand baked. They go well with coffee and are also good to eat topped with ice-cream. You can enjoy a variety of flavors depending on how you choose to eat them.

Matured Fermented Garlic

The garlic is hand cultivated, from planting to harvest. Garlic grown over Shirakawa-go’s long harsh winter is aged carefully over time.

Yuigokoro

This sake (rice-wine) is brewed using local sake rice and spring-water from the village. Because there is no sake brewery in the village, this Hida City brewed sake is available here. The smooth taste makes it easy to drink so we hope everyone will savor it.

Shirakawa-no-sato Sekka-no-Shizuku (Droplets of Snowflakes)

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The local people are blessed with groundwater from the mountains that they protect, bottling it for sale as drinking water.

Shirakawa-go Yamitsuki Noko Cheese-cake “Yui” (moreish & rich)

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Extensive tasting in the local community produced a flavor that suits the palettes of many customers. The Japanese character “Yui” that gives the product its name, symbolizes a relationship of helping one another. The product was created together with a lot of advice from local people.

Macha Monaka (Green-tea Wafer Cakes)

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Modelled after a gassho style house, these wafer cakes filled with green-tea and red bean paste are a product that many people are fond of.

Shiso Monaka (Perilla Wafer Cakes)

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Perilla leaves kneaded in red bean paste, sandwiched between rice wafers. In production since its inception, it is a product with a history of over 50 years, which cherishes the feelings of an earlier generation.

Doburoku Yokan (Sake Red Bean Jelly)

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Local Hida area sake (rice wine) is added to the bean paste, giving the red bean jelly a flavor of rice wine. Special attention is paid to the texture, making it enjoyable to eat from childhood to old age. The alcohol is removed by evaporation during heating.

Yui Okoshi (Yui Rice Cakes)

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Nostalgic puffed rice confectionary made from delicious Shirakawa-go rice. The ingredients are all grown in the village, so we hope many people will enjoy them.

Tochi Mochi (Japanese Horse Chestnut Rice Cakes)

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Made using Japanese horse chestnuts gathered in the village and Hida area. The old women of the village employ ash in an old-fashioned method for removing the harsh taste from horse chestnuts used in production.

Ancient Rice (Glutinous, Unpolished, Black Rice & Red Rice)

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Ancient rice strains (black rice & red rice) are sold unpolished. Because this is unpolished glutinous rice, it produces a popping sensation when eaten followed by the traditional chewy texture of glutinous rice. Please add 1 tablespoon of ancient rice to 3 cups of white rice before cooking and eating.

Kobo Cha (Kobo Tea)

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When the prominent 9th century Buddhist monk, Kobo Daishi, came to Shirakawa from Gokayama, he brought these tea leaves and said to the villagers, “Please drink because it is good for your body”.

‘Hawk Claw’ Talisman

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Dried red peppers are also known as ‘Hawk claws’ in Japanese. Woven with great sincerity, these talismans are used as indoor decorations or charms against evil spirits.

Homemade Pickles (Salted Red Turnip)

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Pickles that have been eaten in the Hida region since ancient times. Produced with consistency from the growing of the seeds, through to the production of the pickles.

Onkochishin.com Handicrafts

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Traditional techniques such as ‘Hide-zaiku’ (maple weaving) and handicraft techniques from the Edo era such as ‘Tsumami-zaiku’ (flowers crafted from material), along with old cloth from kimono have been transmitted to Shirakawa Village. They are remade into products for everyday life on the theme of “Items for the modern lifestyle”.

Shirakawa Gassho Tofu

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Handmade tofu using traditional techniques with a smooth texture that is pleasing to eat. Delicious baked, boiled or fried.

Ishi Tofu

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A hardened Tofu, tightly condensed from twice the normal amount of soybeans. Less likely to lose its shape even when stewed or boiled, it can also be thinly sliced to make the Shirakawa-go specialty, tofu sashimi.

Shirakawa Gassho Age (Fried Tofu)

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Hand-fried tofu, made without the use of machinery. Utilizing the flavor of deep-fried soy for a crispy savory taste. Please eat it as is, baked in a toaster oven, or stuffed before cooking.

The Woodwork of Kokichi Hori

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Woodwork souvenirs produced from strong woods such as ‘yew’ and ‘wisteria’ that are native to the village.

Miyama Ishi Tofu

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100% Toyama specialty soybeans and natural saltwater bittern are the ingredients for “Miyama Ishi Tofu” born in the spring-water of Mt. Hakusan. Without excessive moisture, this tofu is tough enough that it can maintain its form even when bound in string. A long shelf life means it can be used as a preserved food and it is also delicious eaten as sashimi or tofu steak.

Miyama Komo Tofu

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Hardened tofu wrapped with Komo (braided stems of wild rice) are boiled slowly and carefully to an old-fashioned recipe with a well-guarded secret seasoning.

Miyama Soy-milk

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This unprocessed soy-milk is made with Toyama’s specialty soybeans and the clear spring-water of Mt. Hakusan. As its flavor is strong, please enjoy the pure taste.

Hoba Cha (Magnolia Tea)

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An easy-going tea made with Hida’s specialty magnolia leaves. By using natural extract of magnolia leaves and meltwater from the snows of the Mt. Hakusan range, the balanced sweetness and flavor of magnolia is drawn out.

Gassho Yui Beads

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Straps in the shape of gassho style houses, individually handmade using beads. Gassho style houses through a range of seasons are expressed by changing the colors of beads used in the roof.

Shirakawa-go Beimen (Rice Noodles)

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Made with rice grown in the rich earth and refreshing water of Shirakawa-go, these noodles give a completely new sensation. Because wheat is not used, they can also be enjoyed with peace of mind by those with wheat allergies, a key attraction.

Hida Shirakawa-go Specialty Rice Ramen Noodles

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Made using 100% Shirakawa rice grown in the terraced paddies using the fresh waters from Mt. Hakusan, these rice ramen noodles feature a soft, chewy texture. Because this product is gluten-free, they also have health benefits and are ideal for those with allergies.

Shiroyamakan’s Homemade Miso

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Built in the late 19th Century, the Shiroyamakan Inn has served its grilled magnolia leaf miso at breakfast for over 100 years. The miso is also available for purchase.

Grandma’s Special Gohei Mochi (Skewered Rice Cakes)

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Skewered rice cakes made using 100% Shirakawa-go Koshihikari rice. Wanting to provide something made from start to finish within Shirakawa Village, these rice cakes are individually handmade by the village’s grandmothers.

Shirakawa-go Handmade Tochi Mochi (Horse Chestnut Rice Cakes)

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Traditional rice cakes carefully pounded using horse chestnuts gathered in the fields and mountains of Shirakawa-go. They are a limited edition, available in December.

Shirakawa-go no Hatsuuma Dango (Dumplings)

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Rice-flour dumplings produced in 3 varieties, white, buckwheat, and millet. They are a limited edition, available in February.

Shirakawa-go Emaki (Traditional Postcards)

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Paintings by local artists, born and raised in Shirakawa-go, are reprinted as picture postcards.

Shirakawa-go Buckwheat Baked Sweets

Shirakawa-go Buckwheat Baked Sweets

“Buckwheat Florentine,” “Buckwheat Pound-cake,” and “Horse Chestnut Pound-cake” baked with stone-milled buckwheat flour, using Shirakawa-go’s native species of buckwheat.

Shirakawa-go Kikurage (Cloud Ear Mushrooms)

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These cloud ear mushrooms, used in a variety Shirakawa-go’s traditional dishes, have become one of the village’s specialty products.

Rice Flour

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Rice flour made using only Koshihikari rice grown by Shirakawa Village’s contracted farmers. It is also used within the village to produce other goods such as dumplings.

Products at the Genki-na Yasai-kan (Healthy Vegetable Center)

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The Healthy Vegetable Center is a direct sales location for local produce such as fresh vegetables and homemade pickles, located in a gassho-style house. Products include Shirakawa-go’s traditional early winter red turnip pickles, ancient strains of rice (red and black), seasonal vegetables and edible wild-plants tossed in handmade giant butterbur miso & red chili miso.

Jiba Studio Gallery Traditional Crafts

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Shirakawa-go’s unique traditional crafts. Everyday items, toys, and ornaments connected with Shirakawa-go are crafted using techniques passed down from ancient times.