Hakusan White Road

The Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road (白山白川郷ホワイトロード) is a scenic mountain toll road that connects Hakusan City in Ishikawa Prefecture and Shirakawa-go Village in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The road stretches for 33.3 kilometers and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The road winds through Hakusan National Park, renowned for its stunning natural scenery, including alpine plants, waterfalls, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. It also passes through the Shirakawa-go village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs.

Due to heavy snowfall, the road is only open seasonally, usually from mid-June to mid-November. During the winter months, the road is closed to traffic.

Along the route, visitors can stop at various rest areas and observation points to take in the picturesque scenery. There are also several hiking trails and camping areas for those who wish to further explore the natural beauty of the region.

Getting there

By Car

• About 1 hour from Komatsu IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
• About 1 hour from Hakusan IC on the Hokuriku Expressway

Details

Operating Season

• From early June to early November

Operating Hours

• June to August: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• September to November: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Toll Fees

• Regular cars: 1,700 yen one-way, 2,600 yen round-trip
• Light vehicles: 1,400 yen one-way, 2,200 yen round-trip

Important Notes

• Motorcycles are not allowed
• There are many sections without mobile phone reception
• The road is closed during winter (mid-November to early June)