Hakusan Shirakawa-go White Road

A 33km mountain toll road on the north side of sacred Mount Hakusan, linking Ishikawa to the UNESCO village of Shirakawa-go through forest and waterfalls.

Formerly the Hakusan Super Rindo, the White Road winds about 33km between Hakusan City in Ishikawa and Shirakawa-go in Gifu, rising from around 600m to over 1400m along the northern slopes of Mount Hakusan inside the national park. It is a steady, well-graded climb past a string of waterfalls, including the tall Fukube no Otaki, with the forest at its best in lush summer green and blazing autumn koyo. A toll applies and the speed limit is low at 30km/h, so this is a scenic cruise rather than a charge. It opens only mid July to early November along its full length, with a partial Ishikawa-side opening earlier. Mind the toll and short open season, the strict low speed limit, and falling rock on the steep forested cuttings.