World Heritage Ainu Village of Traditional Housebuilding

Aigamura Gassho-zukuri Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a precious place where the nostalgic beauty of Japan’s original rural landscape still remains today. Located in the Gokayama area of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, it is a quiet settlement surrounded by mountains, where traditional ways of life and historic scenery have been carefully preserved. In 1995, together with Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture and the Suganuma settlement in the same Gokayama area, it was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site under the name “Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Gassho-style Houses.” Because people still live here today, it is known worldwide as a rare “world heritage site where people actually live.”

In Aigamura Gassho-zukuri Village, rows of Gassho-style houses built from the Edo period through the Meiji period—some dating back 100 to over 200 years—preserve the historic landscape of Gokayama to this day. Gassho-style architecture is a traditional building style characterized by steep thatched roofs, and the name comes from the roof shape resembling hands pressed together in prayer, or “gassho.” This structure is well suited to the heavy snowfall of Gokayama, allowing snow to slide off naturally. Such thatched Gassho-style houses are an extremely rare form of traditional home in Japan, seen mainly in Shirakawa-go and the Gokayama region. Today, 20 Gassho-style houses remain in Aigamura, and visitors can also see the “primitive Gassho hut,” said to be the original form of Gassho-style architecture remaining only in Gokayama.

Inside the village, in addition to Gassho-style houses of various sizes, there are also thatched-roof temples and many other highlights that evoke a deep sense of history. Even now, residents continue their daily lives here, and traditional livelihoods such as farming and local industries still live on. Visitors can experience the atmosphere of a historic settlement where real life continues, rather than a mere tourist attraction.

One of the charms of Aigamura Gassho-zukuri Village is its beautiful scenery, which changes with the seasons. In spring, fresh greenery appears; in summer, the surrounding mountains are lush and blue; in autumn, the leaves turn brilliant colors; and in winter, the entire village is covered in snow, creating a pure white silver world. The winter snow scenery is especially fantastical and mysterious, captivating many visitors. Seasonal illuminations also bathe the Gassho-style houses in soft light, allowing guests to enjoy an enchanting view unlike the everyday scene.

The village also has well-equipped facilities where visitors can learn about the history and culture of Gokayama. The Aigamura Folklore Museum, housed in a Gassho-style building, exhibits folk materials such as old daily tools and farming equipment, offering insight into the lives and wisdom of earlier generations. At the Aigamura Traditional Industry Museum, materials related to Gokayama’s traditional industries—such as washi paper and saltpeter (a raw material for black powder)—are displayed, allowing visitors to learn about the region’s industrial history. In addition, at the Washi Papermaking Experience Center, guests can try making traditional Japanese paper and create their own original work.

Elsewhere, the Gokayama General Information Center, a tourist hub for the region, provides maps and pamphlets of the surrounding area, and also shows videos of the Gokayama folk songs “Kokiriko” and “Mugiya-bushi.” The popular “Yukinko Experience” lets visitors try on snow-country items such as a goza hat and straw snow boots to experience life in a snowy region.

Gokayama is also home to historically significant Gassho-style houses. Murakami House, designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, is located in the center of Gokayama, where visitors can sit around the irori hearth and listen to explanations about Gokayama’s history and the house itself. With advance reservation, guests can also watch a performance of “Kokiriko Odori,” a traditional folk dance of Gokayama. Iwase House, meanwhile, is one of Japan’s largest five-story Gassho-style houses and took eight years to build. Inside, visitors can hear explanations from the head of the house by the irori, or climb up to the attic to observe the structure of the building and experience life as it was in the past.

The Gokayama region is also known for its tradition of washi papermaking. Gokayama Washi, a craft with a history of over 400 years, is one of the area’s important cultural treasures. At the workshop, visitors can watch the papermaking process and even try making washi themselves. At Michi-no-Eki Taira Gokayama Washi no Sato, a variety of washi products and local goods are sold, making it a popular stop for tourists.

In this way, Aigamura Gassho-zukuri Village is a fascinating place where historic buildings, traditional culture, and natural scenery come together. The quiet landscape of Gassho-style houses surrounded by mountains offers peace and healing to all who visit. By strolling leisurely through the village, you can fully experience the rich history, culture, and beautiful nature of World Heritage Gokayama.