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Gassho-zukuri Minkaen

A Gasshozukuri Ecosphere

The Gassho-zukuri Minkaen, also known as the Shirakawa-go Outdoor Museum, consists of 26 historical buildings that have been moved from various parts of Shirakawa-go. These buildings include a variety of houses, shrines, temples, and watermills, all of which together form a harmonious traditional Gassho-zukuri village ecology.

The Gassho-zukuri Minkaen is located on the banks of the Shokawa River in Ogimachi of Shirakawa-go, and the 26 historical buildings in the park come from all over Shirakawa-go. They were moved to the site in the mid to late 1900s and together they form a Harmonious Ecology of the Gassho-zukuri Village, which has been given another name Shirakawa-go Outdoor Museum.

Among these 26 historical buildings are many Prefectural Cultural Properties built in the middle of the Edo period, nearly 300 years ago. In addition to the more common Gassho-zukuri houses in Shirakawa-go, there are Rice-rack Huts, Shrine Warehouses, temple main halls, water mill huts, and many other kinds of buildings, most of which are built in the Gassho-zukuri style.

Manywhere Trivia:
Moving-Preserve rather than Demolish-Rebuild, this is the best way to protect cultural relics.

The Gassho-zukuri farmhouse is a great place to see the Permanent Exhibitions and get an insight into the life of the local people. Don’t forget to try local handmade soba noodles, too.