The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama are two traditional mountain villages located in the Shogawa river valley in the Gifu and Toyama prefectures of Japan. These villages are known for ...

Step into a storybook: Shirakawa-go’s iconic gassho-zukuri houses and scenic mountains make it Asia’s most beautiful village. When most travelers plan a trip to Japan, the usual hotspots—Tokyo’s ...

A yearly rice planting festival in Shirakawa-go, Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture, recreates the traditional planting scene. This year marks the 39th event. The women wearing traditional clothing ...