5 Gassho-style Houses to Visit in Shirakawa-go

When you think of Shirakawa-go, you think of "Gassho-style" houses.

This time, we will introduce five famous and unique "XX houses" among these Gassho-style houses.

Here's a summary of the five places we'll be introducing this time:

Wada family：A representative house that is the "face" of Shirakawa-go. If you don't have much time, you should at least visit this place.
Kanda family: A complete architectural structure where you can experience the beauty and precision of the Gassho-style architecture
Nagase family: An old family of doctors that preserves the medical culture of the Edo period
The Tajima family: The only exhibition hall specializing in silkworms and raw silk. If you want to learn more about Shirakawa-go, this is the place to do so.
Former Toyama familyA multi-purpose living house that tells the history of the explosives industry

This time, we will summarize the highlights and points worth noting at each one.

Wada House | Shirakawa-go's most representative national treasure

This is the largest gassho-style house in Shirakawa-go and has been designated an Important Cultural Property by the government. With a history of about 300 years, it is a "living cultural property" where people still live today. Inside, there is an audio guide and a full range of exhibits that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the hearth, ancient documents, and gassho-style structure. For tourists, this is a standard spot that can be said to be the "face" of Shirakawa-go tourism.

Furthermore, there is an audio guide in Japanese on the first floor and in English on the second floor about the history of the Wada family and the Gassho-style architecture. Even if you are short on time, it is worth seeing at least the Wada family home.

Characteristics of the Wada family

• It is the largest Gassho-style house in Shirakawa-go and the only oneIt has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.It is a prestigious building.
• During the Edo period, they served as village headmen and guardhouse officials, and have a history of prosperity as the political and economic center of the region.
• The manufacture and trading of gunpowder (a raw material for gunpowder) made the area a great source of wealth, and this became an important source of cash income for Shirakawa-go.
• It has a history of over 300 years and is still used as a residence today, with the first and second floors open to the public.You can experience the life and culture of that time.
• You can enjoy the view from the second floor, and the garden, surrounding fields, and waterways have all been preserved as they were in the past.Experience the nature and history of Shirakawa-go as one.

Among the remaining Gassho-style houses in Shirakawa-go, the Wada House is known for being particularly large. With a width of 14 bays and a depth of 7 bays, it is one of the largest in the village, and the surrounding gardens, hedges, fields, and waterways are beautifully preserved.

Currently, not only the main house but also the buildings such as the storehouse and toilets are designated as cultural properties. Inside the museum, tools and daily necessities that have been passed down for generations are on display, allowing you to feel the history of the Wada family.

Tourist information for Wada family

Opening hours:10:00～17:00
telephone number:05769-6-1058
Regular holiday:Irregular holidays
Admission fee:Adults: 400 yen / Children: 200 yen
Travel time:30 minutes to 1 hour
Official website:World Heritage Kanda Family Residence
map:Open the map

Kanda House | The ultimate in structural beauty in the Gassho-style style

Characteristics of the Kanda family

• A Gassho-style house built around 1850It is estimated that the layout and rafters (gasshogi) of the building are extremely well-made, and it took approximately 10 years to build.
• It is a branch of the famous Wada family of Shirakawa-go, and during the Edo periodHe was involved in the sake brewing business.Has history.
• From the small window on the fourth floor, you can see the tranquil village of Shirakawa-go.A popular spot for photographyIt has also become.

Due to these characteristics, the Kanda House is considered one of the most important Gassho-style houses in Shirakawa-go, with high historical and cultural value.

Kanda Family Tourist Information

Opening hours:10:00～16:00
telephone number:05769-6-1072
Regular holiday:Wednesday
Admission fee:Adults: 400 yen / Children: 200 yen
Travel time:30 minutes to 1 hour
Official website:World Heritage Kanda Family Residence
map:Open the map

The Nagase family | A family that preserves the medical culture of the Edo period

Characteristics of the Nagase family

•  This is an old family that has been in business for about 250 years, and the first to third generations have all been doctors (Chinese medicine practitioners).Medical tools and medicine boxes from the Edo period are preserved and displayedIt has been
• It is a five-story wooden gassho-style house.Approximately 11m high single pillar (Gassho pillar)It runs from the top to the bottom of the roof slope and supports the large roof.
• The current building was built in 1890.The first floor is used as living space, the second floor as bedrooms, and the third floor and above as space for sericulture and agricultural work.

Due to these characteristics, the Nagase family home is considered one of the most important Gassho-style houses in Shirakawa-go, with high historical and cultural value.

Tourist information for the Nagase family

Opening hours:9:00～17:00
10:00-17:00 (January 1st)
telephone number:05769-6-1047
Regular holiday:Irregular holidays
Admission fee:Adults: 400 yen / Children: 200 yen
Travel time:30 minutes to 1 hour
map:Open the map

Tajima Family Home | The only home where you can learn about the life of silkworms and raw silk

Characteristics of the Tajima family

• A Gassho-style house used as an exhibition hall on the theme of sericultureThere, you can learn about the life of a silkworm and the process of making raw silk using actual equipment.
• A valuable facility that conveys the history and culture of Shirakawa-go sericultureIt also introduces traditional events such as the Silkworm Farming Festival and the lifestyle related to sericulture.
• Explanations are provided in English and Chinese (simplified and traditional characters).A place for education and training that is also considerate of foreign touristsIt is also used as a

Among the many Gassho-style houses, the Tajima House is known as an exhibition hall where you can learn about the history and culture of sericulture. It introduces the process from raising silkworms to producing raw silk with actual equipment, and passes on valuable records of the region's sericulture to future generations.

Tajima Family Tourist Information

Opening hours:9:00～16:30
telephone number:05769-6-1902
Regular holiday:*Once the silkworms are gone, the facility will close for an extended period, so we recommend calling in advance to check.
Admission fee:Adults: 400 yen / Children under 9: 200 yen
Travel time:30 minutes to 1 hour
map:Open the map

Former Toyama House | An industrial house that tells the history of gunpowder

Characteristics of the Former Toyama Family Home

• It was built around 1827 and is a four-story gabled gassho-style house built by carpenters from Noto.
• The first floor is the living space, and the second to fourth floors are used for silkworm rearing.Under the floor, gunpowder, a raw material for gunpowder, was produced..
• Large family homeIt was home to a maximum of about 40 family members from the Meiji period through to the early Showa period, and still gives a glimpse into the lifestyle and industry of those times.

For these reasons, the Former Toyama House is an important cultural asset that teaches about Shirakawa-go's traditional lifestyle, industry, and the history of large families.

Tourist information for the Former Toyama Family Residence

Business hours December to March:10:00～16:00
Opening hours April to November:9:00～16:00
telephone number:05769-5-2062
Regular holiday:Wednesdays (or the day before if Wednesday is a public holiday)
Admission fee:Adults: 300 yen / Children: 150 yen
Travel time:20 to 40 minutes
map:Open the map

How to view the Gassho-style houses open to the public in Shirakawa-go

In Shirakawa-go, some of the traditional gassho-style houses are open to the public and can be toured for a fee. These houses allow you to get a close-up look at the lifestyle, architectural structure, and local culture. Please keep the following points in mind when touring the houses.

• Admission fee:It varies depending on the house, but it is around 300 to 400 yen.
• photo shoot:Generally, this is allowed, but there are some restrictions.
• Putting on and taking off shoes:Many establishments require you to remove your shoes.
• English brochure:Simple guides may be available at major facilities.

Comparison of admission fees and locations of Shirakawa-go "XX House"

Finally, we will compare the five houses introduced on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ format)

Q. Do I need to make a reservation for each house?
A. Generally, you can enter without making a reservation. However, if you are a large group, we recommend that you contact us in advance.
Q. Are there any guided tours in English?
A. Many homes have simple English pamphlets available, but staff generally only speak Japanese.
Q. Can I bring my children with me?
A. Yes, as long as you are careful about steps and stairs, there are no problems. However, there are some restrictions on bringing strollers.
Q. Can I visit the museum on rainy days?
A. Most of the exhibits at the facility are indoors, so you can enjoy the exhibits even on rainy days. Don't forget to bring rain gear and protective gear for your feet.
Q. In what order do you recommend visiting the attractions?
A. We recommend starting from the Wada family home, which is closest to the parking lot, and then going in the following order: Kanda family home, Nagase family home, Tajima family home, and Toyama family home.