🗺️ Murakami Family (Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property)

Gokayama, located in the southwestern part of Toyama Prefecture, is formed by 40 small settlements scattered across five valleys. Surrounded by steep mountains and forests, it experiences over 2 meters of snowfall in winter. The unique architectural structure of this heavy snowfall area features steeply angled thatched gassho-zukuri houses, which can still be seen in many places today. Among them, the Murakami family house, built about 350 years ago, is the oldest gassho-zukuri house in Gokayama and is now designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The original architectural structure has been well preserved, allowing visitors to tour both the interior and exterior and closely observe its unique design. Additionally, guests can gather around a traditional irori (sunken hearth) and listen to the homeowner explain the lifestyle and folk culture of Gokayama. With prior reservation, visitors can also enjoy the ancient folk song "Tsukko Odori" that is passed down in this region. "Tsukko" refers to small pieces of bamboo, which are struck together while singing and dancing to the accompaniment of a flute and drum, giving rise to the name Tsukko Odori. It is said that Tsukko Odori draws from the processes of dengaku, making it one of Japan's oldest folk songs. Dressed in traditional attire, dancers perform elegant movements that evoke the refined atmosphere of the Heian, Kamakura, and Muromachi periods.

You can visit the precious gassho-zukuri architecture from about 350 years ago. With prior reservation, you can enjoy the ancient folk song "Chikuzomai." You can gather around the hearth while learning about the life and culture of Gokayama.