What other travelers are saying about Myozenji Temple
A fascinating exploration of Japan's rural heritage can be had at the Myozenji Museum in Shirakawa-go. This Jodo Shinshu temple was founded in 1748 and has a unique main hall with a thatched roof that was built in 1827 and exhibits traditional Japanese architecture. The kuri, which was constructed in 1817 and was once the home of the head priest and his family, is located next to the main hall. One of the biggest gassho-style homes in the village, this building is now a museum where guests may learn about the traditional way of life of the people who live in Shirakawa-go. The family's hierarchy is reflected in the sitting arrangements in the spacious living area, which is centered around an irori hearth. The upper floors, which were formerly utilized for the cultivation of silkworms, include a variety of implements and antiques that provide a glimpse into the peasants' everyday routines.
Larger gassho-style house museum in Shirakawago. The entrance fee includes access to the upper floor, the temple area, and the ground floor.
An informative brochure was provided when we bought the tickets, and it was fascinating to learn about how they maintain the thick thatched roof.
The view from the second floor was really nice with the vibrant green paddy fields (I visited in mid July). The staff here were also friendlier compared to the other museum we visited.
I was hesitant to visit the museum at the end of the our visit to Shirakawa Go. It was such a delightful surprise. For a very modest fee you get to visit 3 different spaces -
1. ethnographic museum on 2 floors of the gassho zukuri house.
2. Myozenji temple
3. The best was kept for the last - relax area by the traditional fireplace. I appreciated even more after a day spent outside in the snow.
I cannot recommend this museum enough.
To be honest, I'm not a fan when it comes to having to remove shoes and snow on our attire before entering. But this place offers a rich history of Shirakawa and I totally recommend it.
A lovely museum in a lovely little town. This is a must visit when in Shirakawa. The museum is only ¥300 entry fee which includes a walk through of one of the largest houses in town. Complete with artifacts, photos, and even some English signs. We even got a souvenir photo for free and you can buy the bigger option. Highly recommend!
Myozenji Museum is housed in the tallest gassho-zukuri building in Shirakawa-go, standing 15 meters tall across five stories. Built in 1817 by master carpenter Yosuke Yamamura, it represents one of the largest gassho-style houses in the UNESCO World Heritage village. The building originally served as the living quarters for the head priest of the Buddhist temple founded in 1748.
The museum features multiple floors of authentic traditional living spaces, including tatami rooms and a central hearth area that remains continuously lit. Visitors can explore ancient everyday tools and artifacts that demonstrate how mountain families lived and adapted to harsh winter conditions. The lower floors showcase the original kitchen and heating system, providing an immersive experience of traditional Japanese mountain life.
The museum operates with different seasonal schedules. From April through November, hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. During the winter months from December through March, hours are reduced to 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM due to shorter daylight and weather conditions in the Japanese Alps region.
The museum is located within Ogimachi village in Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture. From Kanazawa, take a bus via the Hokuriku Expressway for approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. The museum is also accessible by bus from Takayama. Once in the village, the museum is easily walkable from other attractions, as Shirakawa-go is a compact UNESCO World Heritage site designed for pedestrian exploration.
