Shirakawa is an amazing mountain village located in northern Gifu Prefecture, and it is most famous for its incredible gassho-zukuri building style. This traditional style of architecture has earned it a spot as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, alongside Gokayama in Nanto, Toyama. Along with the stunning Hakusan National Park in the background, this village makes for a great holiday destination for many tourists year round. For those looking to experience incredibly snowy winter conditions and marvel at the many one-of-a-kind thatched roofed houses, Shirakawa should be your next stop.