Gokayama (Japanese: 五箇山) is an area within the city of Nanto (南礪) in Toyama (富山) Prefecture, Japan. It has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its traditional Gasso-zukuri (合掌造り) farmhouses. Choumeizai will talk about Suganuma (菅沼) here.
There is a small lookout next to the bus station, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Suganuma here.
Gasso-zukuri, literally means house prayer-hands construction style, is characterized by a steeply slanting thatched roof, resembling two hands joined in prayer.
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.
Most of the Gassho-zukuri farmhouses have been revamped as shops, selling handmade artifacts. Some of the houses are over 300 years old.
Gokayama's lifestyle and culture remained very traditional for many years due to the region's secluded location in the upper reaches of the Shōgawa river.
There is a small museum in Suganuma, displaying some traditional farm tools and musical instruments.
The public toilet in Suganuma is also designed as Gasso-zukuri’s style, well matched with the environment here.
