Beyond Tokyo: Heritage Gokayama & “Little Kyoto” Johana

Last updated May 5, 2025

So, you’ve experienced the iconic sights of Tokyo and immersed yourself in Japan’s vibrant urban culture. Are you ready for the next step – exploring the deeper, regional charms of Japan this summer? A journey away from the city’s hustle and bustle, into lush nature, living traditions, and unique local flavors, promises unforgettable memories.

The southwestern region of Toyama Prefecture is home to Nanto City, a beautiful area often referred to as the quintessential landscape of Japan. In particular, the Gokayama area is known for its rare and living heritage—the gassho-zukuri villages of Ainokura and Suganuma, which were designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1995. Even today, people continue to live in these traditional thatched-roof houses, preserving a unique way of life. Meanwhile, the Johana area is often called “Little Kyoto of Etchu”, with its stone-paved streets and wooden lattice facades that transport visitors to a bygone era.

This summer, we highly recommend exploring Nanto City in southwestern Toyama Prefecture, specifically the captivating areas of Gokayama and Johana.

Why Choose Gokayama & Johana for Your Summer Trip?

• World Heritage Scenery: The unique “Gassho-zukuri” villages, characterized by their steep thatched roofs, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering views often described as Japan’s quintessential, primordial landscape.
  go to check UNESCO
• Deep Nature & Cooler Climes: Surrounded by verdant mountains, the area often enjoys relatively pleasant weather even in summer. Refresh your mind and body listening to the sounds of clear streams.
• Living Traditional Culture: People still live in the Gassho-zukuri houses, carrying on unique traditions nurtured by the harsh natural environment, such as Gokayama Washi paper, folk songs, and festivals.
• Authentic Culinary Experiences: Savor rustic yet rich local foods: river fish like Iwana (char) and Ayu (sweetfish) from clear streams, flavorful Gokayama Tofu, and fresh Sansai (wild mountain vegetables).
• A Blend of Contrasting Charms: Enjoy two distinct atmospheres in one trip – the World Heritage mountain villages of Gokayama and the historic townscape of Johana, known as “Little Kyoto of Ecchu.”

Let’s dive into the specific highlights, experiences, and culinary delights of each area.

【Gokayama Area: World Heritage Villages】 Immerse Yourself in Japan’s Primordial Scenery

Located in southwestern Toyama Prefecture, the Gokayama area features villages dotted along the Shogawa River Valley. Its highlights are the two Gassho-zukuri villages, Ainokura and Suganuma, registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with Shirakawa-go (Gifu Pref.) in 1995.

go to check google maps area and view

1. Ainokura Gassho-zukuri Village: A Verdant Mountain Hamlet Where Life Continues

• Scenery: With about 20 Gassho-zukuri farmhouses existing alongside rice paddies and fields, it truly feels like stepping into Japan’s original landscape. The view from the observation deck is a must-see, offering breathtaking panoramas beloved by photographers. While beautiful year-round, the scenery enveloped in summer greenery is exceptional.
• Key Feature: It’s crucial to remember this is not just an open-air museum but a “living heritage” site where people still reside and work. Please explore quietly, respecting the residents’ daily lives.
• Highlights:
  • Ainokura Folk Museum & Ainokura Traditional Industry Hall: Housed in actual former Gassho-zukuri residences, these museums display tools used in daily life and introduce the spirit of mutual help known as “Yui,” cultivated amidst Gokayama’s harsh nature. Exhibits also cover the three major industries that once supported the region (Shōseki – saltpeter, sericulture, and Washi paper), deepening your understanding of local history.

2. Suganuma Gassho-zukuri Village: A Tranquil Hamlet by the Shogawa River

• Scenery: Though smaller than Ainokura (9 Gassho-zukuri houses), Suganuma retains many structures from the late Edo to Meiji periods, showcasing an older architectural style. Nestled in the Shogawa River valley, it exudes a calm atmosphere in harmony with the surrounding nature.
• Access: An elevator provides access down to the village, a thoughtful feature for visitors with mobility concerns.
• Highlights:
  • Gokayama Folk Museum & Saltpeter Museum (Shōseki-no-Yakata): Located adjacent to the village. The Folk Museum displays around 200 daily life artifacts. Particularly fascinating is the Saltpeter Museum. It explains the production process of saltpeter, a key ingredient for gunpowder secretly produced here, which was once a vital source of income for the Kaga Domain (feudal lords). It offers a surprising glimpse into Japanese history through models, dioramas, and shadow plays.

3. 【Experience】 Staying in a Gassho-zukuri House: The Ultimate Memory

Potentially the highlight of your Gokayama visit is the experience of staying overnight in a Gassho-zukuri inn. Sleeping beneath a thatched roof, dining around a traditional Irori hearth… there’s no better way to feel the traditional Japanese way of life.

• Appeal: Stay in a historic building, savoring extraordinary tranquility and atmosphere. Imagine waking up to birdsong after a night under a star-filled sky – a truly luxurious experience.
• Accommodation Examples:
  • Minshuku Goyomon (Ainokura Village): Located centrally, known for its homely hospitality and Irori hearth dinners. With extremely few rooms (only 3), booking is very challenging.
    go to check Goyomon
  • Gassho no Sato (Near Suganuma Village): Several Gassho-zukuri houses operate as independent cottages. Equipped with kitchens, they suit groups or those preferring self-catering. Also very popular.
    go to Gassho no Sato
• Important Note: These inns are extremely popular with limited availability. It is essential to book as early as possible (recommended: 3+ months in advance, even earlier during peak seasons). While some may be listed on online travel agencies (like Booking.com), direct phone calls or booking via the Gokayama General Information Center might be necessary.

4. 【Experience】 Making Gokayama Washi Paper: Craft Your Own Traditional Souvenir

Gokayama Washi is renowned for its durability and quality. You can try your hand at this traditional craft through a paper-making workshop.

go to check Washi Website

• Location: Gokayama Washi no Sato (Washi Paper Village), adjacent to the Michi-no-Eki Taira (Roadside Station Taira).
• Activity: Under the guidance of expert staff, you’ll experience the process of making Washi paper from Kōzo (paper mulberry) fibers. It’s great that you can create practical items like postcards or bookmarks. The workshop is relatively short (approx. 20-30 minutes) and easy to fit into your schedule.
• Why Do It: The Washi paper you make yourself becomes a unique and personal memento of your trip. Advance booking is required. While English support might be limited (some sources state Japanese only), the experience is often enjoyable even with gestures and observation, offering a wonderful opportunity for cultural immersion.

5. 【Cuisine】 The Bounty of Gokayama: Flavorful Mountain Delicacies

Don’t miss the unique food experiences Gokayama offers.

• Iwana (Char Fish): A gift from the clear streams. Grilling over the Irori hearth is a classic preparation at Gassho-zukuri inns – the freshly grilled fish is exquisite. At “Gokayama Shunsai Kobo Iwana,” you can try the nationally rare Iwana Nigiri Sushi, a must-try delicacy (English menu reportedly available).
• Gokayama Tofu: Characterized by its firmness – strong enough to be tied with a rope! Enjoy its rich soybean flavor as Tofu Sashimi or in Dengaku style (grilled with miso paste).
• Sansai (Wild Mountain Vegetables): From spring to summer, enjoy seasonal treats like warabi (bracken), zenmai (royal fern), and kogomi (ostrich fern). Served as tempura or boiled (ohitashi), they offer unique textures and flavors of the mountains.

【Johana Area: Little Kyoto of Ecchu】 A Town Steeped in History and Culture

Heading south from Gokayama by bus, the atmosphere shifts from deep nature to the historical townscape of Johana. Known as the “Little Kyoto of Ecchu” (Ecchu being the old name for Toyama Prefecture), this town exudes a refined charm.

1. Johana Betsuin Zuisenji Temple: One of Hokuriku’s Largest Wooden Temples

• Overview: A prestigious Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land Buddhism) temple with over 550 years of history, associated with the influential priest Rennyo. Its magnificent main hall and imposing gate are breathtaking.
• Highlights: The sheer scale of the wooden architecture, considered among the largest in the Hokuriku region. Simply strolling through the serene temple grounds can be calming. With advance reservations, guided tours (paid) or workshops like making Udenwa Nenju (Buddhist prayer bead bracelets, paid) may be available.

2. Johana Hikiyama Kaikan (Festival Float Museum): Experience a UNESCO Heritage Festival

• Background: Every May, Johana hosts the spectacular “Johana Hikiyama Festival,” a tradition spanning 300 years, featuring gorgeous floats. This festival is inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
• The Museum: This hall displays the actual “Iori-yatai” and “Hikiyama” floats used in the festival year-round. Even outside the festival dates, you can admire their intricate carvings and beautiful decorations up close.
• Appeal: Festival music plays, and videos are shown, creating an immersive atmosphere. It’s a fantastic way to feel the energy of a Japanese festival and appreciate the artistry and community passion behind it. The detailed craftsmanship might resonate with those interested in anime model or figure aesthetics.

3. Strolling Johana’s Historic Streets: Stone Pavements and Lattice Windows

• Charm: Johana flourished as a temple town for Zuisenji. Walking along its streets, you’ll find stone pavements and old merchant houses with traditional lattice windows (koshi), making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The “Kura Kairō” (a corridor connecting traditional storehouses, joint admission with Hikiyama Kaikan) is also worth seeing.

4. 【Cuisine】 Tastes of Johana: Simple Sweets and Local Flavors

• Ankoro Mochi: A traditional sweet often eaten during the summer Obon season in Johana. Soft rice cake enveloped in smooth, subtly sweet red bean paste – a perfect treat during a walk on a warm day.
• Other Options: The town has various restaurants serving local cuisine, sushi shops, and cafes housed in renovated old buildings (kominka). Discovering a hidden gem while exploring is part of the fun.

Practical Information: Tips for Your Gokayama & Johana Trip

• Access:
  • From Tokyo: Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Shin-Takaoka Station (approx. 2.5-3 hours).
  • From Shin-Takaoka: Use the World Heritage Bus for Gokayama (approx. 70-80 mins) and either the JR Johana Line (approx. 25 mins) or the World Heritage Bus for Johana.
  • Crucial: Both the World Heritage Bus and JR Johana Line have very infrequent services. Checking timetables and planning connections in advance is essential.
  • Discount Pass: Consider the unlimited-ride Free Pass for the World Heritage Bus (e.g., “Gokayama/Shirakawa-go Free Kippu”) if visiting multiple spots. It cannot be purchased onboard the bus, so buy it beforehand at locations like the Shin-Takaoka Station Tourist Information Center, convenience stores, or via smartphone apps (My Route, tabiwa).
• Getting Around the Area:
  • Gokayama: The World Heritage Bus is the main transport. Plan your sightseeing around its schedule.
  • Johana: The central area is easily walkable.
  • Rental Car: Offers flexibility but be cautious if unfamiliar with mountain roads, narrow streets, or left-hand traffic. Ensure English GPS and confirm staff language support when booking.
• Accommodation:
  • Book Extremely Early: This cannot be stressed enough, especially for Gassho-zukuri inns, which can be fully booked months ahead. Secure lodging as soon as your plans are firm.
  • Variety Exists: Beyond Gassho-zukuri, options include unique inns like “Moritosha” in Johana (on Zuisenji grounds, themed around Mingei folk art), the hot spring ryokan “Gokasanso,” and hotels in Johana or nearby towns.
• Language:
  • Expect less English proficiency compared to Tokyo or major transport hubs.
  • Translation apps (offline recommended), phrasebooks, or showing written destinations/requests on paper are helpful.
  • Approach interactions at smaller inns, eateries, or workshops with patience and enjoy communicating through gestures.
• Other Tips:
  • Even in summer, mountain evenings can be cool. Bring an extra layer.
  • Carry sufficient cash, as smaller establishments may not accept credit cards.

An Unforgettable Japanese Summer in Gokayama & Johana

The deep nature and living traditions of Gokayama’s World Heritage villages, combined with the historic charm and cultural richness of “Little Kyoto” Johana, offer a profoundly rewarding Japanese travel experience.

Beautiful scenery, valuable cultural encounters, and delicious local food – the ingredients for a highlight reel of your Japan trip are concentrated here.

For your next journey to Japan, why not venture beyond the cities and discover the unique allure of Gokayama and Johana? A rich and memorable summer adventure awaits.