Gokayama is a region of forty small villages nestled in abundant nature in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, famous for its houses built in the gassho-style, which represent Japan's wooden culture. In 1995, Ainokura and Suganuma, two of the villages in Gokayama, were registered as World Cultural Heritage Sites along with Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, in recognition of the rural landscape centered on the gassho-style houses and their ethos that has been passed down through the ages. The distance between Gokayama and Shirakawa-go is only 30 km, so you can enjoy all three World Heritage Sites in one trip.

Gassho-style houses have a unique architectural style and are found in Gokayama and Shirakawa-go. The word "gassho" comes from how the shape of the roof resembles the arms of a person putting their left and right palms together when worshipping Buddha, a gesture called “gassho.” The triangular thatched roof, the most distinctive feature of the house, has a steep 60-degree slope to make it easier for snow to slide off, typical of buildings in areas with heavy snowfall. The first floor is used as a living space, and the attic, which is divided into two to four levels, is used as a workspace for sericulture and other activities. The rooms are designed for effective use of space and comfortable living. It is a rational architectural structure born of the wisdom of the people living in this region.

Of the three villages registered as World Heritage Sites, Shirakawa-go is large, Ainokura is mid-sized, and Suganuma is a small village.
Ainokura is surrounded by mountains, and twenty gassho-style houses remain today. People still live in the village, and you can catch a glimpse of life as it was in the past. Visitors can also learn about the history of Gokayama and experience paper-making, a thriving industry in the area, at the museum and facilities located in gassho-style houses. In winter, the entire village is covered with snow, creating a magical silvery-white world.

Suganuma is a small village nestled on the Shogawa River, where nine gassho-style houses remain. Gokayama Folk Museum in the village displays about 200 daily utensils that show the traditional lifestyle of Gokayama, and at Niter Museum, visitors can see the tools used in saltpeter production, which was a major industry in Gokayama, and learn about the manufacturing process. Visitors can also see the "Kago no Watashi,” (basket ferry,) once used as a means for people to cross the river in Gokayama, which was designated a penal colony during the Edo Period and therefore forbidden from having bridges.