Gokayama Gassho no Sato

Gokayama Gassho no Sato is a preservation site in Nanto, Toyama Prefecture, featuring thirteen relocated gassho-zukuri houses that were moved from the surrounding region to save them from destruction. Located just a five-minute walk from Suganuma Village, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Gokayama region, this facility offers visitors a hands-on experience of traditional mountain village life. The site is part of the broader Gokayama area, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995 alongside Shirakawa-go, recognized as an exceptional example of traditional settlements adapted to harsh mountainous environments.

The gassho-zukuri architectural style features steep thatched roofs resembling hands in prayer, designed to withstand the region's heavy snowfall that can exceed four meters annually. These structures evolved during the Edo period in response to the area's isolation and mountainous terrain. The roofs are supported by wooden beams lashed together without nails, and the multi-story attic spaces were historically used for silkworm cultivation, while lower floors housed families and supported industries like Japanese paper production and saltpeter manufacturing for gunpowder. The 60-degree roof pitch allows snow to slide off easily while providing rational use of space in these large farmhouses.

At Gokayama Gassho no Sato, visitors can rent entire gassho-zukuri cottages for overnight stays, with houses accommodating groups ranging from 10 to 16 people. The relocated houses have been equipped with modern amenities including kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, refrigerators, and microwave ovens while preserving traditional features like irori open hearths where guests can cook over charcoal fires. The facility is primarily designed for group accommodations and educational visits, allowing guests to experience traditional lifestyle practices firsthand. Visitors are required to bring their own food, seasonings, and toiletries. The site is open to all visitors who can freely explore and photograph the houses from outside.

Transportation to Gokayama Gassho no Sato is accessible via several routes. From Toyama Airport, the journey takes approximately 60 minutes by car after exiting at Gokayama IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway, just two minutes from the interchange. By public transport, visitors can take the World Heritage Bus from JR Takaoka Station or Shin-Takaoka Station, with the journey taking approximately 90 to 130 minutes. The bus stops at Gassho no Sato stop, just a two-minute walk from the facility. Admission to view the exterior grounds is 400 yen, though accommodation reservations are separate. The site connects to Suganuma Village via a convenient tunnel and elevator system from the hilltop parking area.