Some years ago, I wrote about a trip to
Gero Onsen, a place well known in Japan for its hot springs and charming scenery.
I recently revisited the town, and this time I stopped by Gassho-Mura, which is a 15 minute walk from the town center.
Gassho-Mura takes its name from "gassho-zukuri," meaning "thatched" and "mura," meaning "village." The roofs of the 10 historical structures were made by hand using traditional methods. In fact, the structures in the village are original, having been built more than 100 years ago. They were transported to the area to recreate the ambiance of a traditional village.
The site, for which you need to buy a ticket to go inside (I believe it was around 1000 yen), is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The last entrance is at 4:30.
Along with the homes, there are many antiques on display. Here are pics I took:
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| I love these old glass containers. |
More after the jump:
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| Interior of one of the houses. |
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| Impressive collection |
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| Thatching detail |
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| Craftspeople make handmade goods, which are for sale. |
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| Need some shoes? |
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| These guys weren't very chatty, but their fashion sense was spot on! |
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| You guessed it! This is a toilet. |
The place is staffed by friendly people who are eager to take photos for you or chat about the cost of transporting one of these homes across Japan (hint: it's a lot!) If you're visiting nearby Nagoya or just want to get away from the hurly burly of modern life, Gero Onsen Gassho-Mura is a nice choice for an afternoon time warp.
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