Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama travel guide

This secluded nature of this region force villagers to develop their own unique traditions and businesses.

Located in a mountainous region that was cut off from the rest of the world for a long period of time, these villages with their Gassho-style houses subsisted on the cultivation of mulberry trees and the rearing of silkworms. The large houses with their steeply pitched thatched roofs are the only examples of their kind in Japan. Despite economic upheavals, the villages of Ogimachi, Ainokura and Suganuma are outstanding examples of a traditional way of life perfectly adapted to the environment and people's social and economic circumstances.

Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama travel guide by Unesco is this text outdated?

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nicigusa

Shirakawa-go is absolutely breathtaking. The UNESCO world heritage area has a group of gashozukuri farmhouses (so names for the shape like steepled praying hands), some of which were relocated to the area when a hydro-dam was being built nearby. We visited in winter, which was magical - deep deep snow, beautiful persimmon trees with fruit ripening etc. Highly recommended as a day trip from nearby historic centre Hida-Takayama.

2008-12-10 / follow nicigusa / report abuse