Traditional Shirakawa-go

The historic village Shirakawa-go (白川郷 "White River Old-District") is one of Japan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is a quiet mountain village with rice fields and a river running through it, situated at the foot of Mt. Haku-san in northwestern Gifu Prefecture. The village is well known for its 114 houses constructed in the architectural style known as gassho-zukuri, some of which are more than 250 years old. These houses have been designed to withstand the winter’s heavy snowfall. The village also boasts a temple, a coalhouse, and a horse paddock as well as places to stay.