Gokasanso Sightseeing : Gokayama Gassho Zukuri, the World Heritage Site in Toyama Pref.

Historic sightseeing spots are scattered about the area around our hotel, including the World Heritage Gokayama, which has been given the rank of three stars (top rank) by the famous tourism guidebook, Michelin Green Guide Japon Green Guide Japon. Enjoy seeing lit-up Gassho-style houses of Gokayama and festivals held in every season.

Sightseeing spots

Gokayma (Michelin Green Guide Japon: ★★★)

The Gokayama area including Suganuma and Ainokura villages is designated a World Heritage site as villages home to Gassho-style houses. Gassho-style is Japanese traditional architectural style in which timbers supporting the roof on beams are A-shaped like putting one’s hands flat together in prayer (gassho). A steep and thatched roof, which is characteristics of the Gassho-style, prevents it roof from being collapsed by heavy snow, and also reduces the labor of removing snow from the roof. The steep roof makes an airy and spacious attic, and by using this space, divided into two or three layered rooms, silk worms were raised and silk cultivation prospered. These well-preserved houses still today exhibit historic gassho structures as they were in older days.

Suganuma (Michelin Green Guide Japon: ★★)

There are nine Gassho-style houses in the village.

Iwaseke (Michelin Green Guide Japon: ★★)

This is the largest Gassho-style house in Gokayama, 26.4 meters wide, 12.7 meters deep and 14 meters high. The house has five floors and the interior of the building is constructed of keyaki (zelkova) wood.

Murakamike (Michelin Green Guide Japon: ★★)

This is one of the famous Gassho-style houses in Gokayama that faithfully displays the architectural style of the time when the houses were built. It is designated a National Important Cultural Property.

Ainokura (Michelin Green Guide Japon: ★★)

There are 20 Gassho-style houses in the village.

Events

Shiki no Gokayama, Haru no Yoi (Spring Evening of Gokayama)

The Gassho-style houses are lit up and folk music is performed in early evening in spring.
Time: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in June
Venue: Suganuma, Nanto-shi, Toyama Prefecture
Price: 500 yen per person (free for junior high school students and under)

Gokayama Mugiya Matsuri (Mugiya Festival)

Melancholy melodies will touch your heart.
Date: September
Venue: Shimonashi, Taira, Nanto-shi, Toyama Prefecture

Kokiriko Matsuri (Kokiriko Festival)

Elegant Japanese folk songs and dances are performed.
Date: September
Venue: Taira, Nanto-shi, Toyama Prefecture

Gokayama Washi Matsuri (Japanese Paper Festival)

Workshops for making Japanese paper are open to visitors and exhibitions including works created with Japanese paper are held.
Date: Late September
Venue: Gokayama Washi no Sato, 223 Higashinakae, Nanto-shi, Toyama Prefecture
Workshop for making Japanese paper: from 500 yen

Shiki no Gokayama, Yuki Akari (Snow Lights)

The World Heritage Gassho-style houses are lit up. Enjoy the fascinating, other-worldly sight.
Time: 5:30 p.m. (from January to February)
Venue: Suganuma, Nanto-shi, Toyama Prefecture