Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go is located in the northwestern part of Gifu Prefecture and was listed as a "World Cultural Heritage" in 1995. The "gassho-style" style residential roof has a triangular shape, which is an architectural form created by local residents to resist the severe cold and heavy snow, which is suitable for large families to live in. The shape of the house is very pointed, like a co-authoring hand, hence the name. In this snowy area, one of the few in Japan, the gassho buildings can withstand the severe weather and heavy snow, and the villagers still live in such villages to this day. With the centuries-old gassho architecture, the nature that nurtured village life, the long history and modern life harmoniously coexist here. It can be described as a "living world cultural relic". Shirakawa-go Lighting Ceremony Shirakawa-go holds a light-up ceremony every weekend from mid-January to late February. When the color of the sky gradually darkened, the icy snow and the warm lights began to interweave a soft scene, and the silver-clad thatched roof was gradually surrounded by orange light, and the scene in the dream slowly emerged. Main Attractions 1. The Hotan House (an important cultural property designated by the state) has a long history of 400 years. 2. The gassho-shaped house of the four-story building of the Kanda family. The first floor is a tea drinking room, the second and third floors are displays of winemaking, daily utensils, and sericulture utensils, and the fourth floor is an observation room. 3. The five-story building of the Nagase family's gassho-shaped house. The first floor is a display of Buddhist altars from 500 years ago. The third and fourth floors are the display of the previous daily utensils. 4. The Shiroyama Observatory overlooks the panoramic view of Shirakawa Township and is a good location for photography. 5. There are 25 thatched cottages in the shape of gassho palms, 9 of which are designated as important cultural properties by Gifu Prefecture. You can also visit the inside of the Gassho Thatched Cottage.