The Akigami Onsen Ryokan, a solitary, traditional Japanese inn in the mountains, began producing the "Subzero Forest" in 1971, taking advantage of temperatures dipping below negative 10 degrees to create a winter tradition. The ice forest created by spraying water on the trees is blue in the day, and when illuminated at night, visitors will be dazzled by the mystical sight created.

This intimate ryokan is located just 13 kilometers from the Shirakawa-go World Heritage site in a quiet area. 11 spacious rooms are available in various types: Japanese style, Japanese-Western (with beds), and a Japanese style suite. There are two private outdoor onsen baths for guests as well as indoor and outdoor gender-separated baths. Meals feature typical mountain country-style cuisine of the Hida area, but are prepared in elaborate presentations and served in a private dining room. The friendly and attentive staff guarantee that Fujiya will be one of the fondest memories of your trip.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go is now famous among visitors to Japan for its perfectly preserved depiction of the architecture and lifestyles of the Japanese people who inhabited the mostly unexplored depths of the mountains in the Hida region. Visitors can spend an entire day exploring this village, shopping for traditional crafts, dining on local mountain style cuisine, or even spending a night or two at one of the several inns. The iconic A-frame thatched roof houses of the entire village are best surveyed from the hillside at the edge of the village at the Ogi-machi Castle Ruins Observation Area. From this scenic spot, you'll have the best overall view of the main street of the village and the wild Sho River running beside it.

The Myozenji Museum occupies the building which formerly housed the monks living at the adjacent Myozenji Temple. The museum now displays everyday items and tools once used by the past residents of the village for farming and producing goods. It is also a wonderful opportunity to interact with the architecture of the traditional buildings, inspecting the details up close and smelling the aromatic smoke of the fires used to repel insects and protect the wood and thatched roof from damage. Be sure to check out Myozenji Temple as well, the only temple and bell tower made with a traditional thatched roof.

It's a bit of a detour to visit the "Triple Gassho", three thatched roof buildings that align symmetrically when viewed from a specific angle. With the spectacular view of the surrounding mountains behind them, however, this is one of the best views of Shirakawa-go, and well worth the walk to see them. Note: Please don't enter the rice fields near the Triple United Gassho as they are private property.

Ainokura provides an intimate look at the unique, traditional Japanese architecture of gassho-style thatched roof houses and the lifestyles of the village residents. Set against the backdrop of the Japan Alps, the scenery of Ainokura looks as if it could have been plucked from another century long past. Besides the residents who are still inhabiting several of the traditional houses, there are museums, restaurants, and souvenir shops built in the same gassho-zukuri thatched roof style. Those who wish to experience life in a traditional mountain village can book an inn to spend the night (reservations required in advance).

The journey is literally part of the destination when it comes to Omaki Onsen Kanko Ryokan, which is only accessible to guests via a 30-minute ferry ride up the scenic Shogawa River. The river scenery is breathtaking, but nothing can prepare you for the sight of this exclusive ryokan sitting elegantly on the edge of the water. Guests arriving by boat will be warmly greeted and pampered by the ryokan's attentive staff, given a quick tour of the facilities, and left to relax in their enormous rooms with fantastic views of the river and mountains. Free time can be spent enjoying one or more of the ryokan's soothing onsen hot springs, indoor baths and outdoor rotenburo. Dinner is an exceptionally prepared and presented feast of luxurious local ingredients which might include seafood and mountain vegetables from the Sea of Japan side. This one-of-a-kind ryokan experience will certainly be a memory you will cherish forever.