Found in the familiar mountainous area of Gifu, Shirakawa village has been designated by the Unesco Committee as a World Cultural Heritage site for its rafter-roofed houses. For hundreds of years, these rafter-roofed houses have been protected and maintained by the villagers through their cooperative efforts as a symbol of their communal ties, The houses create a very nostalgic scenery for Japanese people, and generate a feeling of kindly warmth for visitors.

In addition, from the end of September through October, one of the world's most unique festivals, the Doburoku Festival, takes place here with people praying at shrines in each of the districts to the mountain gods for fertility, family safety, and peace in the village. Beginning around 1300 years ago, Doburoku has been used in the festival in this area. Every year a little 'brewery' at each shrine serves Doburoku made with its own special ancient techniques passed down through the generations. This is a true Japanese hometown festival at which one can see the villagers and the visitors from far away drinking Miki-Doburoku (sake offerings to shrines) together in thanks for the harvest.