Discover Gokayama: A Peaceful Hidden Gem Near Kanazawa That Feels Like Shirakawa-go—Without the Crowds
If Shirakawa-go is on your Japan bucket list but you’d prefer a quieter, more authentic experience, Gokayama is the perfect to-do on your Kanazawa itinerary. Just a short and scenic trip from Kanazawa, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers the same traditional gassho-zukuri thatched-roof houses as Shirakawago—but with a fraction of the tourists, and scenery that remains unchanged from the days of the past.
Wander through peaceful mountain villages, meet local artisans, and experience timeless rural Japan at your own pace.
What is Gokayama?
Gokayama is one of the area where located in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, just next to Kanazawa City, making it easy to access from Kanazawa.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Shirakawa-go, and consists of two villages — Ainokura and Suganuma — both known for their traditional gassho-style thatched-roof houses and peaceful mountain scenery. Gokayama is a truly “living World Heritage Site” where people live while maintaining their unique culture.
Reference: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
History of Gokayama
This region is surrounded by mountains over 1,000 meters high and is a heavy-snow area that receives 2–3 meters of snowfall in winter. Until recent years, it lacked adequate transportation routes, and was therefore once called a remote wilderness.
According to local legends, defeated samurai fled and settled here during the early period of samurai rule. During the Edo period, under the patronage of the Kaga Domain—centered around present-day Kanazawa and the wealthiest domain at the time—industries such as saltpeter mining, sericulture, and washi paper production flourished, supporting local livelihoods.
The gassho-zukuri houses still found in Gokayama today were built as combined residences and workshops for producing these goods. Shirakawa-go, which shares the same historical background and architectural style, also developed in a similar way.
Ainokura Village – A Must-See Viewpoint Overlooking the Gassho-style Houses
In Ainokura Village, 20 gassho-zukuri houses still stand, allowing visitors to experience the daily life of people who continue to live in these traditional thatched-roof homes.
The highlight of Ainokura Village is its observation area, which offers panoramic views of the settlement. The path from the parking lot is rather steep, but the viewpoint at the top provides beautiful seasonal scenery and is popular as a photo spot.
Lodgings where visitors can stay in gassho-zukuri houses, as well as souvenir shops and restaurants, are scattered throughout the village.
Suganuma Village – Japan’s Timeless Countryside Surrounded by Nature
Surrounded by lush nature, Suganuma Village preserves nine gassho-zukuri houses. Within this peaceful and quiet village, there is also a museum where visitors can learn about Gokayama’s history and traditions. Such as the Gokayama Folk Museum, displaying approximately 200 household items that convey the traditional way of life in mountain villages, as well as the Niter Museum, where visitors can learn about the process and history of niter production—the raw material for gunpowder.
Though smaller in scale than the Ainokura settlement, its flat terrain and minimal elevation changes make it easy to explore, allowing visitors to casually enjoy Japan’s unspoiled rural scenery.
How to Get to Gokayama
Access by bus or train takes between 1 hour and 2 hours 45 minutes depending on the route, while access by car or taxi takes approximately 1 hour.
For details, please refer to the website below.
https://gokayama-info.jp/en/access.php#kanazawa
Would you like to learn more about Gokayama?
For further details, please refer to the official websites below.
