Renowned for its gassho style and unique buildings perfect for the local climate, Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Gassho style Village were designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1976 and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites (cultural heritage) in 1995. The area attracts many tourists not only from Japan but also from overseas. It is said to be a place that reminds people of "the homeland of Japan."

©岐阜県白川村役場

The gassho stytle houses of Shirakawa-go are mostly two to five story-high structures, with white shoji windows on the gable end for lighting and ventilation; the first floor used as living space, the mezzanine floor as a resting area for children and maids, the second and third floors for silkworm-raising, and the fourth floor for storage. The mezzanine floor has a small window for fire management, as there is a sunken hearth directly below.

©岐阜県白川村役場

Gassho style structures are adapted to natural conditions in order to withstand the weight of heavy snowfall. The steeply pitched roofs are indeed an impressive sight, but actually serve an extremely practical purpose of withstanding the immense weight of the snow.

©岐阜県白川村役場

Shirakawa Village, where Shirakawa-go is located, is a farming and mountain village surrounded by mountains. Summer temperatures can be as high as those in Tokyo or Osaka, but the cool breezes from the mountains and rivers bring welcome relief from the intense heat and make for a pleasant environment. In winter, the area has one of the heaviest snowfall in Japan, and is covered in a thick blanket of snow. Especially in February, the snowfall can be as tall as a fully-grown adult. The thatched roofs are thickly covered with snow, and when illuminated by the light, a silver world spreads over the entire area, creating a fantastic scene only visible during this season.