This valley adjacent to Shirakawa-go Valley forms the enchanting backdrop to several hamlets with majestic and rustic gassho-zukuri (UNESCO world heritage site), which stretch along the Sho River. As Gokayama is less accessible than Shirakawa-go, it is visited by about half as many tourists. A bucolic tranquillity permeates the thatched cottages serving as inns, with dinner around the fire and the call of frogs penetrating the night.