Gokayama Villages

Nestled in the remote mountains of Toyama Prefecture, Gokayama is home to two enchanting gassho-zukuri (“praying hands,” a name given for the traditional roof shapes) villages: Ainokura and Suganuma. Together with nearby Shirakawa-go, they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for their unique steep-roofed houses, designed to withstand heavy snowfalls.
The villages preserve a way of life that flourished during the Edo period. Many farmhouses date from the 17th to 19th centuries, and even today they are still inhabited, giving visitors a rare chance to step into a living cultural landscape. Ainokura features around 20 of these traditional houses, while the smaller Suganuma has nine (eight of which were built between the late Edo era and early Meiji era), and both villages offer scenic views and a quiet, pastoral beauty.
Beyond admiring the architecture, travelers can join hands-on experiences like traditional Washi papermaking and taste local specialties like Gokayama tofu. Visitors can also explore the Niter Museum, which reveals how mountain communities once produced saltpeter, also known as niter, for gunpowder, which made the region a valuable domestic source as demand increased during the mid-16th century until the late 19th century. Saltpeter production thrived under the Kaga domain’s support during the Edo period. By the late 1800s, increasing gunpowder demand made the region Japan’s leading supplier, both in quality and volume.
Strolling through the thatched villages, staying overnight in a Gassho-style inn, or simply enjoying the mountain views in Gokayama offers a window into Japan’s rural Edo heritage.