- The old streets of Sanmachi-suji are comprised of the centre of the castle town, the upper part of town that developed into the merchant quarter and the lower part of town.
Irrigation water flows under the eaves and the lattice bay windows and you can enjoy strolling and shopping while soaking up the historical atmosphere.
The Takayama Festival which is held in both spring and autumn every year is one of the 3 most famous festivals in Japan. Marionettes that display devised movement and returning wheels that set traps on the floats show that the skills of the craftsmen are still alive and well.
- Known for its Gassho-zukuri settlement in the Ogimachi area of Shirakawago.
Shirakawago/Gokayama Gassho-zukuri was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Cultural Heritage Site) in 1995 for its unique scenery.
114 Gassho-zukuri buildings of various sizes are preserved in the Shirakawago Gassho-zukuri settlement and today, while the current residents live there, important traditional culture continues to be protected.
Gassho-zukuri means a house constructed in a mountain shape with wooden beams placed like the palms of the hand brought together in prayer with the characteristic of an abruptly sloping thatched, gabled roof. These are constructed to adapt to the natural conditions in Shirakawa such as heavy snowfall.
