In Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll be enchanted by the traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some over 250 years old. These houses, named for their steep thatched roofs resembling praying hands, are a testament to architectural ingenuity against heavy snow. Exploring inside one, you'll get a real sense of historic rural life in Japan's mountains – a journey back in time. This village is not just a destination; it's a living museum of Japanese heritage.