Shirakawago (Japanese: 白川郷), literally means’White River Village’, is located in the village of Shirakawa in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Shirakawago is well known for its cluster of farmhouses, constructed in the architectural style known as Gasso-zukuri (合掌造り).
Ogimachi (荻町) is the largest village and main attraction of Shirakawa-go, the village is home to several dozen well preserved Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old.
Gasso-zukuri, literally means house prayer-hands construction style, is characterized by a steeply slanting thatched roof, resembling two hands joined in prayer.
Some of the Gassho-zukuri farmhouses have been revamped as shops and restaurants, serving snacks such as Hokkaido ice cream.
Most of the farmlands in Ogimachi have long been abandoned, some are decorated with colorful scarecrows, which look funny but sad.
The design of Gasso-zukuri is exceptionally strong, which allows the houses to withstand and shed the weight of the region's heavy snowfalls in winter.
Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine (白川八幡神社) is a small shrine in the deepest part of the Shirakawago and is where the Doburoku Festival is held in the middle of October.
To protect the tradition, each Gassho-zukuri farmhouse has a fire hydrant next to it. Since the farmhouse is wooden and easy to catch fire.
