Hidden away in the remote Shogawa River Valley, the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Spread out over an area of 170 acres, the villages are best known for their traditional farmhouses, some of which were built more than 250 years ago. Known as gassho-zukuri, the houses have steep thatched roofs designed to withstand the region's typically heavy snowfall. It's possible to visit the town on a day trip from Takayama, but anyone with enough time can choose to spend the night in one of the farmhouses.
Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture 501-5600, Phone: +8-15-76-96-10-13