![See Remnants of Japan’s History Through Gassho-Zukuri Architecture at the World Heritage Site of Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221509_38cf7328_w1920.webp)
See Remnants of Japan’s History Through Gassho-Zukuri Architecture at the World Heritage Site of Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture
Gokayama is located in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, and is home to two gassho-zukuri settlements, Ainokura and Suganuma.
“Gassho-zukuri” is the name of a historically valuable and unique type of architecture with pitched roofs that are similar in shape to hands clasped in prayer. Gassho-zukuri settlements can only be found in these snowy and mountainous areas. The Gokayama Settlement and Gifu Prefecture’s Shirakawa-go were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1995.
Departing from Kanagawa By Bus!
It’s easy to get to Gokayama via a 1-hour high-speed bus from Kanazawa Station, so I recommend visiting Kanazawa together with Gokayama.
![Kanazawa Station, Ishikawa](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221209_9ad976c6_w1920.webp)
Kanazawa Station in the early morning. I’m off to Gokayama!
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221251_59b065ae_w1920.webp)
The bus is run by Hokuriku Rail Road Company. Seats on the bus are reserved.
The route connects Kanazawa Station, Gokayama, Shirakawa-go, and Takayama.
A round-trip from Kanazawa Station to Gokayama-Suganuma is 2780 yen for adults.
From April through November, the bus route only stops at Gokayama-Suganuma.
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221341_3908a16f_w1920.webp)
On the way by bus! The natural landscape is so beautiful.
First Up is the Suganuma Gassho-Zukuri Settlement’s Photography Spot!
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221409_f96b6a44_w1920.webp)
I’ve arrived at the “Gokayama-Suganuma” bus stop!
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221427_a564ec0e_w1920.webp)
The view of the village from the national highway connecting the Gokayama-Suganuma bus station and Suganuma’s observation area is great for taking pictures. The view is perfect for capturing in a photo!
Incidentally, the shortest route to the Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Settlement’s observation area is via a lift, so you don’t have to take the walk along the national highway.
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221451_eebbbba9_w1920.webp)
This was just one of the views along the national highway route!
Finally, the Exploring Begins!
There are nine gassho-zukuri buildings still standing in Suganuma. Ainokura, another settlement that is about a 15-minute drive from Suganuma, still has 23 buildings.
One defining characteristic of the gassho-zukuri construction in Gokayama is that the pitch of the buildings’ roofs is sharper than those in Shirakawa-go. Both Gokayama and Shirakawa-go are areas that receive heavy snowfall. However, while the snow in Shirakawa-go is lighter weight, the snow that falls in Gokayama contains more moisture and is heavier as a result, so the roofs of the gassho-zukuri buildings are further pitched to avoid any snow buildup.
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221529_bed7bdb3_w1920.webp)
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221536_b5e16380_w1920.webp)
Gassho-zukuri houses are larger than regular homes. Gassho-zukuri homes, which were typically 3-5 stories tall, used to house large families of 30 to 40 people. The vast attic spaces were used to cultivate silkworms.
The ground floors of gassho-zukuri houses were built by local carpenters, while the roofs were built with help and cooperation from all of the villagers.
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221553_c5ed1be2_w1920.webp)
Agricultural work.
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221609_37c3a1d8_w1920.webp)
A souvenir shop.
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221623_4212a2fd_w1920.webp)
![](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221630_2e44fde4_w1920.webp)
Thanks to the efforts of the local residents to preserve the natural landscape, everywhere you look is a beautiful scene.
Tasting Traditional Cuisine!
![土產・休息處 Arai](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221655_3803d530_w1920.webp)
I had a light meal at “Miyage – Oyasumidokoro Arai.”
![土產・休息處 Arai](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221717_58b76b11_w1920.webp)
I ordered the Gokayama specialties, walnut-miso gohei mochi and Gokayama tofu.
Gohei mochi is made by skewering mochi (pounded rice), then covering it in a miso sauce and cooking it over fire.
Gokayama tofu is an unusually firm tofu that won’t lose its shape even if you tie a rope around it.
Miyage – Oyasumidokoro Arai
- Address
- 503 Suganuma, Nanto City, Toyama
- Tel
- 0763-67-3217
- Hours
- 9:00-17:00
- Closed
- Open 365 days
Visiting the “Gokayama Minzoku-Kan Folk Museum”!
![Gokayama Minzoku-Kan Folk Museum](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221925_02ab50a9_w1920.webp)
Restored from one of the oldest gassho-zukuri buildings in Suganuma, the Gokayama Minzoku-kan Folk Museum is home to over 300 remnants of tools and materials left by the past inhabitants of the area.
![Gokayama Minzoku-Kan Folk Museum](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221941_aa5fc026_w1920.webp)
![Gokayama Minzoku-Kan Folk Museum](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_221955_a71cd5f5_w1920.webp)
![Gokayama Minzoku-Kan Folk Museum](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_222000_50f5ff37_w1920.webp)
Gokayama Minzoku-Kan Folk Museum
- Address
- 436 Suganuma, Nanto City, Toyama
- Tel
- 0763-67-3652
- Hours
- 9:00-16:00
- Closed
- The New Year holiday
- Admission Fee
- Adults 300 yen
Taking a break at “Sabo Tenohira.”
![Sabo Tenohira](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_222325_85e9fcfc_w1920.webp)
![Sabo Tenohira](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_222333_d587b861_w1920.webp)
A coffee and cookie set is 500 yen.
![Sabo Tenohira](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_222352_6e658601_w1920.webp)
The scenery from inside the shop is breathtaking.
Sabo Tenohira
- Address
- 400 Suganuma, Nanto City, Toyama
- Tel
- 0763-67-3066
- Hours
- 10:00-18:00. 10:00-16:00 during the winter.
- Closed
- Tuesdays
You Can Stay Overnight in the Village Too! “Gokayama Gassho no Sato”
Gokayama Gassho no Sato is a food and accommodations facility located about 5 minutes on foot from the Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Settlement.
There are 13 gassho-zukuri homes still standing in this area.
Meals are available by reservation for groups of 10 and up. There are also three gassho-zukuri cottages available as accommodations.
![Gokayama Gassho no Sato](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_222518_29ac5681_w1920.webp)
![Gokayama Gassho no Sato](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_222530_21b2ccb9_w1920.webp)
The Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Settlement hosts seasonal illumination events too, so it might be nice to make accommodation reservations for those days!
![Gokayama Gassho no Sato](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_222544_04fe2a6c_w1920.webp)
![Gokayama Gassho no Sato](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_222550_772e24a7_w1920.webp)
![Gokayama Gassho no Sato](https://prd-static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/12000/11191/20161222_222603_c72877aa_w1920.webp)
Gokayama Gassho no Sato
- Address
- 855 Suganuma, Nanto City, Toyama
- Tel
- 0763-67-3300
- URL(Japanese)
- http://www.gokayama.jp/gassho/index.html
Summary
The gassho-zukuri settlements in Gokayama are smaller than those in Shirakawa-go, so in that sense it isn’t as grand of a tourist location, but it is an undeniable relic of historic Japan. You can take your time and tour the area at your leisure, and it’s a great out-of-the-way sightseeing spot.
It’s said that Gokayama is at its most beautiful in the winter when snow has accumulated. I recommend it for people who want to spend time relaxing and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Author
Birth place: Tokyo
Kosu
While living outside of Japan for a while, I began appreciating what Japan has to offer.