Takayama

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 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.

A district in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, with approximately 100 Edo-period merchant houses. Both the Kamitown and Shimotown areas are preserved with complete retention of Edo-period architectural styles including earthen walls and latticed windows. Designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings in 1999. One of Gifu Prefecture's top tourist attractions with about 2 million annual visitors.

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 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.