About Ainokura District

Located in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, the Ainokura district is an area that preserves the traditional Japanese rural landscape and was registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Villages of Shirakawago and Gokayama" in 1995. The district is known for its beautiful landscape dotted with gassho-zukuri houses and for its strong traditional lifestyle and culture.

The most distinctive feature of the Ainokura area is its gassho-zukuri houses. Gassho-zukuri is a unique architectural style in which the thatched roofs are steeply sloped, a device unique to regions with heavy snowfall. This structure allows snow accumulated on the roof to naturally slide off. More than 20 gassho-zukuri houses have been preserved in the Aikura district, some of which are more than 200 years old.

Visitors to the Aikura district can take an inside tour of the gassho-zukuri houses. For example, at the Aikura Folk Museum, old tools of daily life and farming implements are on display, offering a glimpse into traditional rural life that has continued since the Edo period. Some of the houses are also used as lodging facilities, where visitors can spend a tasteful time while staying in a gassho-style house.

The natural beauty of the four seasons is another attraction of the Aikura area. Visitors can enjoy different beautiful scenery each time they visit: cherry blossoms and fresh greenery in the spring, lush countryside in the summer, autumn leaves in the fall, and snowy landscapes in the winter. The winter lighting event in particular attracts visitors with its fantastic illumination of snow-covered Gassho-zukuri houses.

In addition, there are many opportunities to experience local traditional culture in the Aikura area. The area offers a full range of programs that allow visitors to experience local culture firsthand, including the experience of making handmade washi paper and crafts, and tasting local cuisine. This allows visitors to experience and gain a deeper understanding of the traditions and culture of Aikura.

The Aikura area is a tourist attraction with its beautiful gassho-style houses, abundant nature, and traditional culture. Visitors can spend a heartwarming time experiencing the scenery and life of a good old Japanese farming village. When you visit Toyama, be sure to visit the Aikura district and fully enjoy its charms.