Shirakawa-go

Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, with gassho-zukuri  (gassho style) houses were registered as a UNESCO  World Heritage Site (combined) in 1995. It is a site which exhibits outstanding examples of a traditional way of life perfectly adapted to the environment and people’s social and economic circumstances.

More than 600 people live in these Villages, famous for their gassho style farmhouses, nestled in the mountains of Gifu and Toyama Prefectures, Japan.  Residents have preserved this precious heritage by helping each other build houses, cultivate fields and withstand the heavy snow. But they still struggle with the harsh winters and high maintenance cost of the gassho style houses. In order to pass the legacy to future generations, they must find a balance between accommodating visitors and creating a comfortable living environment for the residents. Gassho style houses are characterized by a large, steep thatch roof.  The roof resembles hands folded in prayer, thus the name ‘gassho’ (to pray) style.  Gassho style houses have three elements to be protected from: dilapidation, fire and snow.

Long Snowy Winter in Shirakawa-go

Fighting dilapidation:
Building and maintaining the gassho style homes requires a communal labor-sharing system called yui, which has become an integral part of living in Shirakawa-go. Yui extends beyond protecting the gassho style homes. Residents help each other harvest rice and thatch in the autumn, clear away snow in the winter, plant flowers in the spring, and maintain and clean tourist areas throughout the year. The skills and energy of many people are protecting these gigantic houses and the surrounding natural environment.

Gassho style houses

Fighting fire:
Made of wood and roofed with thatch, gassho style houses are extremely vulnerable to fire.
Fire prevention is a priority in the village and there are numerous laws and drills to insure that Shirakawa-go is safe. For example, fireworks are prohibited within the Villages. During summer evenings, residents take turns patrolling the village, reminding everyone to be careful with fire.

Fighting elements:
Changing of the roof of a gassho style is a community effort.  It takes about three days to remove the old roof and about one day to build the new roof.

Annual Fire Drill – Shirakawa-go

Uniquely designed underground water irrigation specifically for fire prevention/needs

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