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.

The kanji of the current name mean "Five Mountains", but the original name is actually "Between Five Valleys" (五箇谷間), which is pronounced the same.

The area has a bilingual guide site.

There 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.

• 36.425136.93331 Ainokura Village (相倉集落). Ainokura Village is a small historic mountain village in Gokayama, Toyama Prefecture, renowned for its traditional gasshō-zukuri farmhouses, with steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy winter snowfall. Nestled in a secluded valley, the village has around 20 surviving traditional houses, some of which are several centuries old. A number remain inhabited, while others serve as museums, guesthouses or restaurants. Together with nearby Suganuma and the better-known Shirakawa-gō, Ainokura forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its distinctive architecture and traditional rural way of life. A short uphill walk to the village viewpoint offers excellent views over the rooftops and surrounding mountains.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 36.4056136.88612 Suganuma Village (菅沼集落). Suganuma Village is a small, picturesque historic settlement in Gokayama, Toyama Prefecture, known for its traditional *gasshō-zukuri* farmhouses with steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall. The village has nine surviving traditional houses, set among fields and wooded hills beside the Shō River. Some buildings contain small museums illustrating local life and the region's traditional paper-making and gunpowder industries. Together with nearby Ainokura and Shirakawa-gō, Suganuma forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its distinctive architecture and traditional mountain culture. A short walk from the parking area or nearby bus stop brings you into the compact village, which can be explored in around 30–60 minutes.  (updated Oct 2026)

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.

Oyabe ← Junction W E ←

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→ Shirakawa-go → Gifu