Takayama Old Town

A village of gassho-zukuri thatched-roof farmhouses in Shirakawa, Gifu Prefecture. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage buildings represent concentrated wisdom for mountain life in heavy snowfall regions. Winter illumination creates fantastically beautiful scenes popular worldwide, and the village continues to captivate tourists as an original Japanese landscape.

A district of samurai residences in Senboku, Akita Prefecture. The Edo-period townscape has been almost completely preserved for approximately 400 years. Samurai residences, merchant houses, and black walls remain as they were, designated as an Important Preservation District. Beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage attract about 1 million visitors annually, making it a representative tourist destination of Tohoku.

A district in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture preserving Edo-period streetscape. Historic merchant houses with kura-zukuri storehouse architecture line the streets, with the 200-meter Kamiassunomachi area particularly picturesque. Living traditional architecture and culture, attracts approximately 2.5 million visitors annually. Representative of Japan's heritage tourism.

A historic district in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, preserving townscapes from the Edo to Meiji periods. Approximately 3 kilometers of old streets feature traditional inns, sake breweries, and craft shops. Attracts about 2 million visitors annually and has become a standard school excursion destination.

Preserved Edo-period town in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. The 'sanmachi' district features merchant houses and sake breweries on both sides of narrow streets. Designated as a National Important Traditional Building Preservation District. Preserves history as former center of Hida's political and economic power. Attracts over 2 million visitors annually as the heart of Hida region tourism.

Historic district of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, with townscapes continuing from the Edo period. The Honmachi Street, stretching approximately 2 kilometers, preserves buildings from the Edo to Meiji periods. Demonstrates architectural techniques used by Hida craftsmen. Known for morning markets and four annual Takayama Matsuri festivals, attracting approximately 2 million visitors annually, representing Japan's traditional townscapes.

The regional center of Hida in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. The preserved 'Sanmachi' district features townhouses from the Edo period. Traditional morning markets with over 400-year heritage showcase local vegetables and crafts. Attracts over 2 million visitors annually, offering authentic experiences of traditional mountain village culture and landscape.

A preserved Edo-period town district in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, with over 110 traditional townhouses in the Kami and Shimo districts and morning markets. Called the 'Little Kyoto of Hida,' it offers authentic experiences of traditional Japanese townscapes. With growing international visitors, it attracts approximately 2.5 million visitors annually, serving as an important cultural heritage site for understanding Edo-period Japanese life.