Shirakawa-go [Gifu]
The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go
| Places | Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun, Gifu |
|---|---|
| Access | JR Takayama Stn./Bus/1-hr 15-min. ride/Makido Stop/Bus/50-min. ride/Ogi-machi Stop |
The Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Settlement is a historically valuable area that looks as it did from the first half of the 19th century to the mid-20th century. The Settlement was named as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995 together with the A-frame settlements of Aikura and Suganuma. There are around 100 buildings here built in the distinctive style of this region known as "Gassho Zukuri (A-frame)" set amid the rural surroundings of Shirakawago. A-frame houses are distinguished by a steep thatched roof designed to prevent snow building up on the roof. The A-frame houses of Shirakawago also have roofs triangular on both sides, reminiscent of a propped-up open book.As well as A-frame buildings, Shirakawago also has museum housing many old everyday utensils and farming tools a, and the traditional lifestyle remaining here gives visitors a glimpse of old Japan.
