A Must-Visit World Heritage Site! The Fairytale-Like Shirakawa-go Gassho Village!

Located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, Shirakawa-go is renowned for its well-preserved Gassho-style architecture and stunning winter snow scenery. The annual Gassho Village Illumination event is a breathtaking spectacle that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime.

The Gassho Village is situated in the Ogimachi area of Shirakawa-go, surrounded by steep mountains. With 96% of the area covered by forests, it was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1976. In 1995, along with Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name "Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama."

The Gassho-style (合掌造り) houses, with their steeply pitched thatched roofs resembling hands clasped in prayer, are called "Gassho-zukuri." These traditional houses are built without using a single nail. The roofs, angled at approximately 60 degrees, allow heavy snow—up to 2–3 meters (with a record of 4.5 meters)—to slide off easily. The design also enables residents to rear silkworms in the attic, with warm air rising from the first floor to keep the space cozy during the harsh winter.

Address: 〒501-5627 Gifu Prefecture, Ono District, Shirakawa Village, Ogimachi

Post by 紅蝦花 | Sep 6, 2025