NAGANO JAPAN

Prior to the introduction of modern roads and snow-clearing machinery, heavy snowfall meant the villages were cut-off from the outside world each winter. In response, unique practices and building techniques developed over many generations, allowing the villages to be self-sufficient through those long, harsh months. Built to withstand heavy snowfall and provide indoor working space to cultivate silk, the design demonstrates ingenuity in adapting to the landscape and to this day, remains a remarkable example of the ability of humans to live in harmony with their environment.

Declared a World Heritage site in 1995, the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama have achieved huge popularity in recent years. Most visitors head to largest village, Ogimachi. If you are looking for a quieter experience, consider heading to the smaller villages of Suganuma and Ainokura.