The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama, nestled in the remote Shogawa river valley straddling the Gifu and Toyama Prefectures, represent a remarkable example of traditional Japanese culture. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, these villages are celebrated for their gasshō-zukuri farmhouses, designed with steep thatched roofs to withstand the heavy snowfall of the region. This architectural style, whose name means "constructed like hands in prayer," along with the villages' scenic beauty and cultural significance, make them a valuable preservation of Japan's heritage.