How Miniature Historic Mountain Villages Became Major Innovators
Historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama surprised the world with an unusual innovation designed to protect them from extreme natural disasters and spontaneous summer fires. This same innovation is so necessary for the most endangered small villages and historical sites in Bulgaria.
The Gassho-style houses in the historic settlements of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are rare examples of their kind in Japan. Located in a river valley surrounded by the rugged highland region of Chubu in central Japan, these three villages are remote and isolated. Access to the area is difficult for a long period of time. The historic landmark encompasses the villages of Ogimachi in the Shirakawa-go region and Ainokura and Suganuma in the Gokayama region, all located along the Shō River in Gifu and Toyama prefectures.
