Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Minkaen, Shirakawa-mura

Take a trip to Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Minkaen, an open-air museum with traditional farmhouses, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The iconic design of the wooden houses, said to resemble hands clasped together in prayer, developed so as to keep the snow off during the winter months. In a mountainous rural area where the design still dominates, the museum gives visitors the chance to see inside the farmhouses, as well as learning about traditional agricultural methods and the lifestyle of farmers and their families. Add Shirakawago Gassho Zukuri Minkaen and other attractions to your Shirakawa-mura trip itinerary using our Shirakawa-mura trip planner .