Gokayama Ainokura/Suganuma Gassho-Zukuri Village

In the southwestern tip of Toyama Prefecture, Gokayama consists of 40 small villages scattered across five valleys. Surrounded by steep mountains, the area receives more than two meters of snow in winter. Many of the Gassho-zukuri houses, with their steeply pitched thatched and gabled roofs, are still dotted here. Two villages, Ainokura and Suganuma, are registered as World Heritage sites.

In Ainokura village, there are 20 houses of various styles from the 17th to the first half of the 20th century. There is also a Gassho-zukuri inn where you can experience the traditional culture of the people who live there. On the other hand, the village of Suganuma, separated by a river, has nine houses and other structures such as storehouses and watermill houses. In the past, there was no bridge, and you had to use a "basket ferry" to cross to the other side of the river, giving the village an air of seclusion.

All of the villages have folk museums and experience centers that tell the story of Gokayama life and history, as well as folk art stores and restaurants that serve local cuisine. In Kaminashi village, there is a facility where you can watch the local folk song "Kokiriko". The World Heritage site of Ainokura-Suganuma Village is lit up from sunset on a limited basis throughout the four seasons, giving the whole area a fantastic appearance. You can enjoy a different scene from the daytime.