Spend the Night in a Traditional House
Travel back to another time with a stay in the traditional thatched-roof houses of Toyama
Travelers looking to experience the Japan of yesteryear can't go wrong with a detour to the Gokayama region of Toyama Prefecture. Here, you'll find Ainokura, a village famous for its gassho-style thatched-roof houses. Delight in the traditional architecture, celebrated in Japan for its rarity and historical significance and the timeless lifestyle of the villagers who still call these dwellings home. The name “gassho” means joining one's hands in prayer, referring to the shape of the roof, and you'll feel a divine sense of peace in these idyllic surroundings, blessed with the natural beauty of the mountains in all four seasons.
In Ainokura, you can do more than look, as six houses in the village have opened their doors to guests who wish to stay overnight to experience the pastoral life of Japan's past first-hand. Converse with the family operating the guest house and learn about the village's culture and history as you share meals around a traditional fire pit. During seasonal light-up events, the thatched buildings are illuminated, creating a truly ethereal scene. You may not want to return to the real world.
Access: Take the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station to Shintakaoka Station (about 3 hours). Then take the bus from Shintakaoka Station to Ainokura-kuchi (about 1 hour).
Contribution to Sustainability
The Historic Village of Gokayama was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1995. Here, you’ll find a magical village of Gassho-style thatched farmhouses. These traditional structures were constructed sustainably with local materials. Some of them are open to guests, giving visitors the chance to experience life as it was before Japan modernized.
Gokayama
| Address |
754 Kaminashi, Nanto-shi, Toyama-ken |
|---|---|
| Duration |
Approx. 2 hours or more |
| URL |
