Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go (Shirakawa Village) is a Japanese mountain settlement in what was once considered a wild and unexplored region. Because of the area’s natural environment, with high mountains and heavy snowfall, interaction with neighboring regions was limited.

This created the conditions for the development of unique cultural practices and lifestyles. It is now registered as a World Cultural Heritage site.

The farmhouses have steeply sloped roofs. All the houses are aligned north south so the windows back and front make the most of the sunlight.

One of the biggest houses here is the five storey Nagase family house also called the doctor's house. The Nagases worked as house doctors for the Maedad (a samurai clan). This is one of three houses visitors can enter.

The 1st, ground, floor has tools for ceremonies and festivals that are still used, and medical tools etc.

On the 2nd floor are employees bedrooms.

The 3rd floor has working rooms with tools from the past.

Silk was processed on the 4th floor .

Silkworms (yosan) were raised on the 5th floor - it is closed for safety reasonsRead more