Shirakawa-go in the Springtime: Gasho-zukuri Architecture

Private homes built in the gasho-zukuri architectural style (with steep thatched roofs) stand side by side, offering enchanting colors in each of the four seasons.Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture

The hamlets built in the gasho-zukuri architectural style that have been registered as world cultural heritage sites consist of the gasho-zukuri village of Ogimachi in Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture, Ainokura on Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture, and the gasho-zukuri village of Suganuma. These villages are scattered here and there along the Sho River in this heavy-snowfall region, and stand side by side on the thin strips of land nestled deep between the mountains and river. The gabled sides of all of these grass thatched roofs, with steep slopes approaching 60°, all face north-south. This architectural style has been shown to have three advantages. The villages are located in narrow valleys oriented north to south in order to encourage snow to melt and dry from having the sun uniformly hit the rooftops. Since strong winds blow from each direction, this minimizes the area that catches the wind. Conversely, in summer the breeze is allowed to blow through the houses by opening the windows, which prevents summer silkworms from being damaged by the heat. These villages that developed as a result of the climate in this heavy-snowfall region were selected as an important preservation district for historic buildings.

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