Takayama is a charming historic city located in Takayama, known for its beautifully preserved old town, traditional wooden houses, and rich Edo-period atmosphere. Surrounded by the Japanese Alps, it offers scenic mountain views, local markets, and cultural streets that give visitors a glimpse of old Japan’s lifestyle and craftsmanship.

Shirakawa usually refers to the historic village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its traditional Gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs. Nestled in a mountain valley, it offers a fairytale-like landscape that changes beautifully with the seasons, especially in winter when the village is covered in snow.