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Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are historic villages in Japan that are recognised as a World Heritage Site. The villages are located in the valley of the Shogawa river, which forms the border of Gifu and Toyama prefectures in northern Japan.

Shirakawa-go is the old quarters of Shirakawa village in Gifu Prefecture. The name means "white river old district." Gokayama, which means "five mountains", is a collective name for the villages of Kamitaira and Taira in Toyama Prefecture. The villages are outstanding for the architectural style of their houses which employ the "Gossho-zukuri" or prayer-hand construction, characterized by the steeply slanting roof resembling a pair of hands in prayer. This style of construction makes the houses very strong and able to withstand the weight of winter snow.


Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture
Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture
Author: Bergmann (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

 Shirakawa-go and Gokayama was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 19th session of the World Heritage Committee in Berlin, Germany, on 4 - 9 December, 1995.

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 36 23 60 E 136 52 60 in Gifu and Toyama Prefectures.
Inscription Year: 1995
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: IV, V


House in Gokayama Old Village in Toyama Prefecture in winter
House in Gokayama Old Village in Toyama Prefecture in winter
Author: Yosemite (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

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