Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
The reason for the inscription was that: "... the villages are outstanding examples of a traditional human settlement that is perfectly adapted to its environment (as the very short explanation of the Unesco-committee remarks)."

The houses in the villages in the valley are unique to Japan. They are very big, and have thick thatched roofs that come down steeply. This way the snow can slide off the roofs. There is also enough space under the roofs to store supplies for long winters. The inhabitants of these villages used to earn their money in the silk-industry. They lived a very secluded life.

In Japanese, the houses are called Gassho-zukuri. Gassho means praying hands, suggesting the form of hands raised in prayer to the buddha. Here it refers to the triangular shape of the roof.

Year Decision Comments
1995 Inscribed Reasons for inscription



Visit May 2000

Within the valley, I visited the village of Ogimachi, a two hour bus ride from Takayama in the middle of the Japanese Alps. There quite a lot of the Gassho-zukuri houses can still be found together.

Although it was packed with Japanese tourists, I liked it a lot. The environment is totally unlike the stereotype Japan. In a way, the scene remembered me of Bhutan, where in the green valleys also these kind of big houses annex farms still stand (however without the characteristic thatched roofs).

Reviews

Maggie Huang (USA & Taiwan):
The first impression that I had with Shirakawa-gou was from a picture I saw on the internet. It feeled just too beautiful to be real. Then I did a lot of research online about this picturesque place; and actually went visiting in November 2005.

Its purity and tranquility can really ease a person's mind. You can also enjoy different scenery when visiting in different seasons.

I will go visit again and again if I had time; and really soak in the true beauty of Shiragawa-gou.
Date posted: March 2006
C H Ho (Hong Kong, China):
If I can only select one farming village to go in Japan, I must select Shokawa-village. I went there in 1999 but taking 2.5 hours bus from Takayama. I arrived there at night and stayed in a homestead. I could see nothing inside the village at night. In the next morning, when I opened the Japanese window-door from my room. I see many Gassho-zukuri houses just outside! The houses lies inside the valley of the Japan Alps. It likes a picture more than a village. It might be more convenience to visit the villages as a highway was opened from Nagoya to Toyama.
 


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