Situated in the Ono District of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, the UNESCO-listed heritage town of Shirakawa is known for its breathtaking nature, ancient Gassho-zukuri farmhouses and natural hot springs. Surrounded by lush, bright green mountain peaks, multi-coloured trees and pretty fields, visitors could enjoy Shirakawa for its setting alone. The main attraction, however, is the village’s collection of 250-year-old Gassho-zukuri thatched houses. Meaning ‘constructed like hands in prayer’, these remarkable monuments are made without nails and are built to withstand heavy snowfall and provide space (in their attics) for cultivating silkworms. Shirakawa’s outdoor museum includes these buildings, many of which function as guest houses, as well as a watermill, shrine and temple hall, which are still preserved in their original state. The Oshirakawa Onsen Shiramizunoyu Hotsprings, which include Japanese cypress tubs, open-air baths and sleeping baths, provide a variety of ways to soak in the restorative waters.