Shirakawa village, which is part of the Shirakawago area, saw its first snow this winter on Dec. 14, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. By 11 a.m. on Dec. 15, the snow in the village ...

The villages are particularly beautiful in the winter months, when the houses are covered in snow and illuminated ... festivals and events. The Shirakawa-gō Summer Festival is held in July ...

In the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. on Feb. 5, the Yasuzuka district of Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, received 85 cm of snow while 78 cm landed in Shirakawa village in Gifu Prefecture.