states: [japan]
category: cultural
year: 1995
location: Gifu and Toyama prefectures
region: Asia and the Pacific
latitude/longitude: 36.4000000000, 136.8833333000
last visited: 2018
unesco id: 734
world heritage site: 734
Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Japan, are renowned for their historic gassho-zukuri farmhouses, characterized by steeply pitched thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall. These well-preserved villages exemplify traditional rural life and sustainable architecture, blending harmoniously with the surrounding mountainous landscape. Recognized for their cultural value, they offer a glimpse into Japan’s historical ingenuity and community resilience.