Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go's largest village, features farmhouses that date back more than 250 years old, some of which have been turned into museums, restaurants and minshuku (Japanese bed-and-breakfasts).
Best known for their centuries-old gassho-style houses (named for their resemblance to praying hands), the remote Japanese villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are a must-visit for history buffs seeking an off-the-grid travel experience. Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go's largest village, features farmhouses that date back more than 250 years old, some of which have been turned into museums, restaurants and minshuku (Japanese bed-and-breakfasts). In Ainokura, Gokayama's largest village, travelers can test their paper-making skills at a washi workshop. What's more, with a convenient location a mere 40 miles southeast of Kanazawa, this mountainous UNESCO World Heritage Site makes for an excellent day trip.