World Heritage site Shirakawa-go is a mountain village nestled between the Gifu, Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures. Though it is often thought of as being secluded by steep mountains, it is now easily accessible, thanks to the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway and other development. One collection of around a hundred steep-roofed houses near Gokayama was registered as a Cultural Heritage site in 1995. While in the past, the people of the area simply persevered through the heavy snowfall of winter, they have now figured out a way to coexist with the snow.
