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Located in the Japanese mountains dividing Toyama and Gifu prefectures, the two villages preserve traditional Japanese architecture, which is very different from what is found in Japan today. Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture is the most visited village by tourists, while Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture offers a very different atmosphere. Quiet surroundings, far from the hustle, offer a certain authenticity closer to tradition as well as an opportunity to discover its crafts.

Traditional architecture in UNESCO World Heritage site Gokayama village, Toyama Prefecture, Japan

Gokayama: a UNESCO World Heritage Village

The village of Gokayama was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The area has been preserved as it was originally built, so it is difficult to find traces of modernity in this village. Surrounded by mountains, we find ourselves immersed in tradition.

Right away, you will notice what makes Gokayama so unique: its architecture. These are houses vaguely reminiscent of European cottages fused with characteristics of traditional Japanese houses. The straw roofs are the most atypical and protect homes against the harsh winters and the impressive amounts of snow that fall each year. These roofs are still maintained by hand traditionally.

Roofs need to be renewed regularly. One side of the roof is renewed every 10 years, while the entire roof is renewed every 20 years. No nails are used, only old ancestral techniques which remove the straw from the roof without damage. The straw itself is grown by the inhabitants of the village. An impressive commitment to traditional techniques allows the village to maintain its unique appearance for centuries.

Autumn season at UNESCO World Heritage site Gokayama village, Toyama Prefecture, Japan

You can spend the night in a house in the village, although winter can be rough because the villagers live with less modern conveniences and comforts than most visitors are used to. But the stay is a deep dive into Japanese culture in a grandiose natural environment.

Inside a home in UNESCO World Heritage site Gokayama village, Toyama Prefecture, Japan

The village inhabitants have an inexhaustible kindness and are passionate about the history of their village, and they are happy to share it with their guests. And it’s a rare opportunity to stay in a house that is so close to Japanese tradition and history.

Traditional meal at UNESCO World Heritage site Gokayama village, Toyama Prefecture, Japan

A small restaurant in the village serves soba and homemade tofu, together with vegetables harvested from the mountain. You can’t miss these delicious local foods during a visit to Gokayama.

Learn about ironwork in Takaoka

Accessible by car or bus from Gokayama, Takaoka City is known throughout Japan for its metal industry. The ironworks of Takaoka has played an important role in the making of bells for all of Japan, and the tradition continues today. It is possible to learn about ironwork in Nousaku, a workshop in Takaoka.

Metal workshop in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan

I must admit that I had no idea how to create a metal cup using a traditional method before visiting Nousaku. The procedure requires a little care, but it is actually relatively simple. First, they use a model cup and make a mold from the sand.

This involves packing the sand as tightly as possible on both sides of the model and then separating the two parts of the mold as gently as possible to keep the shape intact.

Making an iron cup at a metal workshop in Toyama Prefecture.

The iron is then poured into the molds. I was surprised at the speed, and how fast iron reverts from liquid to solid. After just five minutes, it is possible to “break” the mold, and let the sand scatter again. And our cup is in the middle of all this.

We are free to polish the cup in our own way and to engrave our initials. Not only can we bring home a unique souvenir, but we also learn how to mold metal objects traditionally.

A metal craftsman working at a metal shop in Toyama Prefecture

And a visit to various Nousaku workshops makes it possible to continue this discovery. Spoiler alert: iron and copper objects are made in exactly the same way in the workshops! Everything is done traditionally with the same sand molds. Only the polishing and finishing part of the objects is more elaborate, but everything is done by hand.

Spend a night in a ryokan by sea

Toyama Prefecture is particularly famous for its bay. You can look out over the huge bay and see views of snow-capped mountains at the same time. It’s no wonder that Toyama Bay is one of the ‘Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club.’ Not far from Takaoka, in the small town of Himi you can spend a night in a ryokan directly overlooking the sea.

A view of Toyama Bay from a ryokan in Himi city, Toyama Prefecture

Rooms at Himi Umiakari Onsen overlook Toyama Bay directly, and totally unobstructed views can be found everywhere in this luxurious hotel. The hotel has two onsen (hot water baths); one of them is outdoors, which offers the same magnificent sea view.

Seafood dinner at Himi Umiakari Onsen in Toyama Prefecture

The dinner consists mainly of seafood, which is the specialty of Toyama Prefecture. In particular, there are small white shrimp and Firefly Squid, both of which are caught in Toyama Bay and are popular throughout the Japanese archipelago.

And what a pleasure it is in the morning, not only having a view of the sea in front of the room but enjoying your delicious breakfast there as well!

A view of peaceful Toyama Bay from Himi Umiakari Onsen.

From the mountains to the sea and unique local handicrafts, Toyama Prefecture is still relatively unknown to tourists, but makes wonderful memories for those who will take the time to visit it!

Sponsored by Toyama Prefecture

Joachim Ducos

Joachim Ducos

Passionné par le cinéma japonais, j'ai voulu découvrir la vie quotidienne de ce pays que je ne connaissais qu'à travers la fiction. En 2017 je quittais ma France natale pour poser mes valises à Tokyo sans savoir que j'y resterai si longtemps. Après presque deux années à poursuivre mes activités de photographe et de vidéaste en parcourant l'archipel japonais, le Japon exerce toujours sur moi une mystérieuse fascination qui me pousse à vouloir en explorer chaque recoin.

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