Day trips from Takayama

Hi,
I am staying in Takayama for a couple of days and on one of those days I will have a rental car for 12 hours.
I would like to visit Shirakawago but was looking for other recommendations of places to visit in the area too. We only want to drive for around 60-90 minutes max from Takayama and are open to ideas.
Is Shirakawago the nicest village to visit or is it very busy and touristy, would there be other villages that are better to visit?
It's our first time to Japan and any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Many thanks

Yes, Shirakawago is by far more touristy. But it is also much larger than its sister, Gokayama, as well as closer. Takayama is also overflowing with tourists as well, and like Shirakawago, the overwhelming majority are day trippers.
If you are driving, there are many other good sights to see. You could go over to the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway, or Hida Limestone Cave. If you like mountain hikes, there is Norikuradake. Or for something beautiful but less strenuous, there's the Utsue Forty-Eight Waterfalls. Not requiring a car, you could go to Hida-Furukawa - similar Takayama old time feel but far fewer people. If you have kids, you could also go to the Squirrel Forest Hidayama. Once they see you with their food, it's open season on you though.

I would skip Shirakawago and go to Ainokura instead.
Hirayu onsen and specially one of the more secluded ones could also make a nice day trip by car.