Higashishirakawa, Gifu Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Higashishirakawa (東白川村, Higashishirakawa-mura) is a village located in Kamo District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 December 2018, the village had an estimated population density of 26 persons per km², in 842 households. The total area of the village was 87.09 square km (33.63 sq mi). Higashishirakawa has been selected as one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.

Geography Higashishirakawa is located in the Mino-Mikawa Plateau of central Gifu Prefecture, surrounded by 1000-meter class mountains. Over 90% of the village area is forested.

Neighbouring municipalities • Gifu Prefecture ◦ Nakatsugawa; ◦ Shirakawa.

History The area around Higashishirakawa was part of traditional Mino Province. During the Edo period, it was part of the territory controlled by Naegi Domain. During the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Kamo District, Gifu Prefecture. The village of Higashishirawa was formed on July 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. The early Meiji period Haibutsu kishaku movement was especially strong in this area, and to this day, Higashishirakawa is the only municipality in Japan without a single Buddhist temple. Plans to merge the village with the neighbouring city of Gifu were rejected by a referendum in June 2004.

Economy The mainstay of the local economy is agriculture and forestry.

Education Higashishirakawa has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the village government. The village does not have a high school.

Transport: Rail The village does not have any passenger train service.

Transport: Road • National Route 256