Spring in Shirakawago

The　treasure　of　Shirakawago　is　not　only　the　architecture　of Gassho-style house,　but　Yui,　community　network.

Gassho-style house, a steep thatched roof house is quite unique in many respects.
It is composed of 3 or 4 stories. The carpenters build the first floor professionally, while people in the community cover the roof with pampas grass produced locally.
The first floor was for the family members, while 2nd, 3rd, 4th floors was for silk worms to produce silk threads.
Besides, underground was secretly used for making gun powder from wastes of cattle, grass, and soil.

The valley along Sho River was so steep that there were not enough paddy fields to cultivate rice. It was poor village. Because of the high demand of electricity during economic growth, small villages along the river were on the verge of disappearing at the bottom of big dams.
Shirakara village was determined to keep local community and the traditional houses.
This is not a museum, but a living quarter.

The season for spring flowers is a little later than other parts.


Shirakawa Village is located in the middle of the line connecting Kanazawa and Takayama. One hour drive by a local bus.