Myozen-ji Kuri
明善寺庫裡
The kuri (residential quarters) of Myozen-ji, a Jodo Shinshu (Otani-ha) temple in the Ogimachi village of Shirakawa-go, a nationally rare example of temple architecture where the main hall, bell-gate, and kuri all survive as gassho-zukuri structures. The kuri, built in 1817, is a massive five-story gassho-zukuri building whose interior is open to the public as the "Myozen-ji Kuri Folk Museum," letting visitors closely view a spacious sunken hearth room on the first floor and sericulture tools and farming implements displayed in the attic space spanning floors two through five — an intimate look at how people once lived in a gassho-zukuri house. The 1801 thatched-roof bell-gate is also a prefecturally designated cultural property, and the unique scenery blending temple architecture with gassho-zukuri construction is one of the highlights of a Shirakawa-go stroll.
Main hall, bell-gate, and kuri all in gassho-zukuri style
Myozen-ji is a Jodo Shinshu Otani-ha temple whose main hall is said to have been built in 1748, known as a nationally rare example of temple architecture where the main hall, kuri, and bell-gate all survive in gassho-zukuri style. The thatched-roof bell-gate (built 1801) in particular is unusual for a temple to have, and is a Gifu Prefecture designated cultural property.
A folk museum open inside a five-story kuri
The kuri, built in 1817, is a massive five-story gassho-zukuri structure, its interior open to the public as the "Myozen-ji Kuri Folk Museum." The first floor retains a spacious sunken hearth room, while floors two through five in the attic space display sericulture tools, farming implements, and everyday items — a valuable facility for experiencing life in a snowy mountain village and the structure of a gassho-zukuri house within the actual building.
A central sightseeing spot for a village stroll
About a 10-minute walk from the Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal, in the southeast part of the Ogimachi village, it's conveniently located for touring alongside other facilities such as the Wada House. Since the kuri interior involves steep stairs, comfortable walking shoes are recommended for a visit.
Seasonal Highlights
🍁 Autumn (Sep-Nov)
A beautiful season for the contrast between the thatched-roof bell-gate and autumn leaves.
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
The snow-covered gassho-zukuri main hall and kuri offer the most evocative atmosphere.
Visit Tips
- Suggested duration
- About 30-40 minutes including the visit
- Crowd levels
- The whole village gets crowded on weekends during autumn-leaf and winter seasons, so a morning visit is recommended
- Best time to visit
- Right after opening in the morning
| Address | 679 Ogimachi, Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu |
|---|---|
| Hours | April-November 8:30-17:00, December-March 9:00-16:00 (irregular closures) |
| Admission | Adults ¥300, children (elementary/junior high) ¥100 |
| Official Website | Visit official website |
Access
- 10 min walk from Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal (About a 10-minute walk)