🗺️ Iwase House (Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property)国指定重要文化財 岩瀬家

About 300 years ago, the Iwase family residence, built over a span of 8 years, is the largest gassho-zukuri structure in Japan, standing five stories tall. It is now a precious building that allows future generations to understand the architecture of that time and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. During the Edo period, the Iwase family served as a residence responsible for the refinement of potassium nitrate, supplying locally produced gunpowder materials to the Kaga domain. Visitors can admire the grand interior, which extensively uses zelkova wood. The massive structure measures 26.4 meters wide, 12.7 meters deep, and 14.4 meters high, constructed entirely without nails or metal, relying solely on ropes and bundled materials. The height is equivalent to that of a five-story building, with the first and second floors serving as living quarters, while the third to fifth floors are used for sericulture. To facilitate the transfer of heat from the irori (hearth) to the upper levels, the flooring on the upper floors is designed with gaps. Currently, visitors can explore various rooms, including the family room, the study, and the room where warriors would hide, as well as the interior of the roof and the garden. By the irori, one can feel the warmth of the fire while listening to the host's informative explanations, which are well worth hearing. The gassho-zukuri structure is an architectural style that has been passed down in Japan since ancient times, born from the unique wisdom of regions with heavy snowfall. Its characteristic steep thatched roof resembles two hands joined together, hence the name "gassho architecture."

Japan's largest five-story gassho-zukuri structure. Visitors can explore the interior of Japan's largest gassho architecture residence. There is also a sales area for special products and folk crafts from Gokayama.