Ultra-hidden gem！Step into the triangular thatched-roof houses::Japan::Hokuriku::UNESCO World Heritage

Due to the severe winter climate in the deep mountains of Hokuriku, cave-dwelling culture has existed since ancient times. At the entrances, triangular thatched roofs shaped like hands coming together were used to block wind and snow. Over time, these evolved into small houses. To withstand strong winds and heavy snow, local materials such as thatch and bamboo were used, retaining the triangular thatched roof shape — giving rise to what we now know as gassho-zukuri houses. These structures were built using mortise-and-tenon joints and rope-lashing techniques, without a single iron nail. The first floor follows a bearing-wall concept and requires the expertise of skilled carpenters to calculate the structural mechanics. Only high-quality timber could be used for beams and pillars, fixed with interlocking joints, allowing some flexibility to absorb pressure during heavy snow. The roof pitch is extremely steep, sometimes reaching up to 60 degrees. Viewed from the side, the shape resembles an upright triangle, making it ideal for snowy regions — thick snow easily slides off. This design fully reflects the wisdom of the local way of life. The first floor of a gassho house is typically used as living space, while the upper floor serves as a space for raising silkworms with tiered racks. One particularly unique aspect is the need to replace the thatched roof every approximately 30 years, which requires the entire village to come together to help. As thatched roofing and related architecture have become increasingly rare, they’ve also become one of the reasons why gassho-style buildings are disappearing. That makes the preserved structures all the more precious.

In 1995, the villages were designated as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites. Currently, two gassho clusters remain: Shirakawa-gassho (Sangawa) and Kasamatsu. Rows of quaint, ancient thatched-roof houses create beautiful pastoral scenes. Compared to Shirakawa-go, which is highly famous and teeming with tourist groups, the villages here are relatively quiet and offer a more immersive experience. Staying overnight allows you to feel the serene atmosphere of a traditional Japanese village and enjoy local cuisine. Residents have lived here since 732 AD. The Sangawa area still retains 26 gassho houses, each at least 100–200 years old, with the oldest nearly 400 years in age. The Kasamatsu Gassho cluster is the smallest and most delicate among the World Heritage-listed gassho villages, consisting of just nine houses. In the village, visitors can see over 700 daily-life tools, as well as traditional features of gassho homes, such as irori (sunken hearths), earthen stoves, and horse stables. Transportation to Shirakawa-go: To reach Shirakawa-go from Kanazawa or Toyama, take the JR Hokuriku Main Line to “Takaoka” Station. From Takaoka, transfer to the JR Johana Line and get off at “Johana” Station. From Johana Station, take the Kaetsuno Bus bound for Shirakawa-go and get off at “Sangawa-guchi” or “Kasamatsu.” The journey takes about 25–40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the bus directly from Takaoka Station. There are only four buses per day — please check the timetable on the official bus website: www.kaetsunou.co.jp/nori/200903-11.html. Source: Discovering the fairy-tale villages of Shirakawa-go, an off-the-beaten-path travel gem (provided by Tripass Attraction Family)

Read more: After exploring the gassho villages, it’s even better to sip tea and chat in a fairytale-like house (provided by Tripass Attractions)