Shirakawa-go Overlook, August 2015

Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Shirakawa-go is a beautiful mountain village famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Gassho-zukuri means “constructed like hands in prayer”, and refers to the steep thatched roofs that distinguish the architectural style.

Interesting Facts:

• The roofs, made without nails, provided a large attic space used for cultivating silkworms.
• Some of the farmhouses are over 250 years old.
• Shirakawa-go and the neighboring area of Gokayama were declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995.
• Shirakawa-go was featured in the film The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise.

Shirakawa-go.org | Instagram – Check out their beautiful images of Shirakawa-go.