Takayama is a beautiful mountain town in Japan known for its traditional streets, wooden houses, and peaceful atmosphere. Surrounded by the Japanese Alps, the town offers a perfect blend of nature and culture. Visitors can explore historic areas, enjoy local crafts, taste famous Hida beef, and experience the charm of old Japan. Takayama is a relaxing and scenic destination that shows the true beauty of rural Japan. Hida Old Town is a charming historic area filled with traditional wooden buildings, small shops, and peaceful streets that reflect the atmosphere of old Japan. Visitors can stroll through narrow lanes, discover local crafts, taste famous Hida snacks, and enjoy the unique culture of the region. With its beautifully preserved architecture and calm mountain setting, Hida Old Town offers a warm and authentic Japanese experience.

Step into the timeless charm of Hida Old Town, a beautifully preserved district where Edo-period Japan comes to life through traditional wooden merchant houses, historic sake breweries, and narrow streets lined with craft shops and local eateries. Travellers can wander freely through the atmospheric Sanmachi Suji area, admire centuries-old architecture, taste freshly brewed sake at family-run breweries, and discover handmade Hida crafts, wooden carvings, and regional snacks unique to Takayama. This self-guided experience allows visitors to immerse themselves in the slow-paced beauty of this mountain town—perfect for photography, cultural exploration, and enjoying authentic Japanese hospitality at their own pace.

Shirakawa-go is a famous UNESCO World Heritage village known for its unique gassho-style farmhouses with steep thatched roofs. Surrounded by mountains and beautiful nature, the village looks like a scene from a traditional Japanese storey. Visitors can walk through the peaceful village, explore old houses, learn about mountain life, and enjoy stunning views from the Shiroyama viewpoint. It is one of Japan’s most charming and photogenic destinations.

At Shirakawa-go’s UNESCO-listed Gassho-zukuri Village, travellers will discover one of Japan’s most iconic and picturesque traditional communities. The village is famous for its unique “praying hands” thatched-roof farmhouses, some over 250 years old, designed to withstand heavy winter snow. Visitors can wander through the serene countryside, enter preserved homes such as the Wada House, learn about rural mountain life, enjoy stunning panoramic views from the observation deck, and experience the village’s peaceful natural surroundings. It’s a perfect destination for photography, culture, and appreciating Japan’s historic rural heritage.