Stroll through the historic streets of Hida Takayama and experience the charm of the Edo period. Wander along the beautifully preserved old town, where traditional wooden merchant houses line the narrow streets and sake breweries still operate as they did centuries ago. The atmosphere reflects the town’s prosperous past, with latticed facades, old shop signs, and local crafts on display. As you explore at a relaxed pace, you can truly feel the timeless elegance and cultural heritage that have defined Takayama since the Edo era.

Shirakawa-go is surrounded by mountains, crisscrossed with rice fields, and blessed with clear streams that gently flow through the village, earning it the nickname “the kingdom of forests and rivers.” Ogimachi, the main village of Shirakawa-go, is the largest among the three UNESCO World Heritage villages—Shirakawa-go, Ainokura, and Suganuma in Gokayama—with a total of 152 households. The name “Shirakawa-go” originates from the milky-white waters formed when the Daihakugawa River, flowing from the sacred Mount Hakusan, merges with the Shogawa River and turns cloudy white. Located in the northeastern part of Ogimachi Gassho Village, Shiroyama Observatory offers a panoramic view of the entire village, with its iconic thatched-roof farmhouses set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Hakusan stretching into the distance.