Gokayama
Discover Gokayama
Gokayama (五箇山) is composed of two historic villages in Nanto City (南砺市), Toyama, Japan. Together with the better-known Shirakawa-go in Gifu, they were registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites on December 9, 1995. Gokayama is famous for its farmhouses, which are built in a unique architectural style known as gasshō (合掌). The name means "hands together" as in prayer, referring to the steep roofs that keep the snow off in the winter. Underneath the roofs, the large attic area was used to house silkworms.
What to Experience in Gokayama
Taste of Gokayama...
Gokayama offers numerous Japanese inns (ryokan) for overnight stays. Most of these inns are gasshō-based inns and offer both dinner and breakfast in the accommodation fee. Dinner is generally traditional Japanese dishes consisting of river fish and mountain vegetables; you will almost certainly sleep on a futon on a tatami mat. Just like the better known Shirakawa-go, Gokayama's buildings are mainly produced of highly flammable traditional materials, the village has a no-smoking policy. There is a smoking area in the village (indicated by bench seats, a sign and a 3-foot-high large ash tray). Although this is a moderately popular tourist destination, some people do live in some of the traditional houses. Keep this in mind as you tour.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere are no train stations in Gokayama, but there are buses. From Toyama Prefecture, the "world heritage bus" runs from JR Johana Station (40 min) or Takaoka station (90 min, ¥1,800). From Gifu Prefecture, there are buses from Shirakawa-go that connect fairly well with the buses that come from Takayama. There are also direct buses from Kanazawa. Some of the buses do not operate in the winter. Gokayama offers numerous Japanese inns (ryokan) for overnight stays. Most of these inns are gasshō-based inns and offer both dinner and breakfast in the accommodation fee. Dinner is generally traditional Japanese dishes consisting of river fish and mountain vegetables; you will almost certainly sleep on a futon on a tatami mat. Just like the better known Shirakawa-go, Gokayama's buildings are mainly produced of highly flammable traditional materials, the village has a no-smoking policy. There is a smoking area in the village (indicated by bench seats, a sign and a 3-foot-high large ash tray)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Gokayama offers numerous Japanese inns (ryokan) for overnight stays. Most of these inns are gasshō-based inns and offer both dinner and breakfast in the accommodation fee. Dinner is generally traditional Japanese dishes consisting of river fish and mountain vegetables; you will almost certainly sleep on a futon on a tatami mat. Just like the better known Shirakawa-go, Gokayama's buildings are mainly produced of highly flammable traditional materials, the village has a no-smoking policy. There is a smoking area in the village (indicated by bench seats, a sign and a 3-foot-high large ash tray). Although this is a moderately popular tourist destination, some people do live in some of the traditional houses. Keep this in mind as you tour.
Where to Stay
Gokayama offers numerous Japanese inns (ryokan) for overnight stays. Most of these inns are gasshō-based inns and offer both dinner and breakfast in the accommodation fee. Dinner is generally traditional Japanese dishes consisting of river fish and mountain vegetables; you will almost certainly sleep on a futon on a tatami mat. Just like the better known Shirakawa-go, Gokayama's buildings are mainly produced of highly flammable traditional materials, the village has a no-smoking policy. There is a smoking area in the village (indicated by bench seats, a sign and a 3-foot-high large ash tray). Although this is a moderately popular tourist destination, some people do live in some of the traditional houses. Keep this in mind as you tour.
Money & Budget
Gokayama offers numerous Japanese inns (ryokan) for overnight stays. Most of these inns are gasshō-based inns and offer both dinner and breakfast in the accommodation fee. Dinner is generally traditional Japanese dishes consisting of river fish and mountain vegetables; you will almost certainly sleep on a futon on a tatami mat. Just like the better known Shirakawa-go, Gokayama's buildings are mainly produced of highly flammable traditional materials, the village has a no-smoking policy. There is a smoking area in the village (indicated by bench seats, a sign and a 3-foot-high large ash tray). Although this is a moderately popular tourist destination, some people do live in some of the traditional houses. Keep this in mind as you tour.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Just like the better known Shirakawa-go, Gokayama's buildings are mainly produced of highly flammable traditional materials, the village has a no-smoking policy. There is a smoking area in the village (indicated by bench seats, a sign and a 3-foot-high large ash tray). Although this is a moderately popular tourist destination, some people do live in some of the traditional houses. Keep this in mind as you tour.
Glimpses of Gokayama
aerial view of city during daytime
brown wooden house on snow covered ground during daytime
snow capped villages during winter
aerial view of city during daytime
brown wooden house on snow covered ground during daytime
snow capped villages during winter
aerial view of city during daytime
brown wooden house on snow covered ground during daytime
snow capped villages during winter
aerial view of city during daytime
brown wooden house on snow covered ground during daytime
snow capped villages during winter
aerial view of city during daytime