Ainokura Gassho-style Village

Ainokura village, located in the Gokayama region, was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 1995 as one of the three villages of traditional gassho-style houses. The village has 20 gassho-style houses known as minka, most of which are between 100-200 years old, with the oldest being said to have been built around 400 years ago. The gassho roof, which has a slope ranging from 45 to 60 degrees, creates a nearly equilateral triangle shape, allowing snow to easily slide off. The large roof is supported by strong oak beams called chonabari, which are curved at the base. The roofs are rethatched every 15-20 years.