11 Real-Life Fairytale Villages Where You Can Spend the Night

5. Shirakawa-go, Japan: A Step Back in Time

Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan, is a village that offers a glimpse into the country's rural past. Known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which resemble hands in prayer, Shirakawa-go is a place where time seems to stand still. These unique structures were designed to withstand the heavy snowfall of the region, and their steep thatched roofs create a distinctive silhouette against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains. Visitors can explore the open-air museum to learn about the village's history and culture, or take a guided tour of one of the preserved farmhouses to see how people lived in the past. Staying in a traditional inn in Shirakawa-go allows you to experience the village's serene beauty and immerse yourself in the local way of life, as you fall asleep to the sound of the river and wake up to the sight of mist rising over the mountains.