Japan has no shortage of charming mountain villages, and one of the best places to experience traditional rural Japan is deep in the Japanese Alps.

If you are traveling to the historic city of Kanazawa or the traditional town of Takayama, consider venturing deeper into the Alps with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama.
Shirakawago’s Ogimachi village (Photo credit: Bob Bloom)
If you have done a fair amount of research into planning your trip to Japan, chances are you’ve come across photos like the one above.
The gassho-zukuri (praying hands) architecture set against beautiful natural surroundings makes them among the most photogenic places in Japan, and the steeply-sloped thatched roofs are able to withstand the the heavy snowfall that the region receives each winter. Shirakawago, Japan (Photo Credit: tsuda via Compfight cc )
Shirakawago and Gokayama
Shirakawago – also written as Shirakawa-go – is located in Gifu-ken (Gifu Prefecture) and is home to Ogimachi, the most visited of the villages.
Gokayama, approximately 20 miles (30 km) away, is located in the adjacent Toyama Prefecture and is home to the quieter and less-visited villages of Ainokura and Suganuma.
Traditional gassho-zukuri houses in Gokayama
But even though most travelers flock to the easier-to-reach Shirakawago, you’ll see plenty of day trippers no matter which of the villages you visit.
They’re worth visiting regardless, but if you want...