Gifu Prefecture is steeped in history, and its significance shines through to this day. The pivotal battle that united the nation took place at Sekigahara, and you can visit the battlefield today. Swordsmiths practice their craft in Seki, and traditional cormorant fishing is still alive along the Nagara River. The town of Takayama has gone mostly untouched by time, while the nearby villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are one of the few places where thatched-roof houses remain in Japan. The dramatic mountains, pure rivers and snowy winters create a remarkably picturesque setting.