Gassho Zukuri

An example of the characteristic "Gassho Zukuri" (Praying Hands) style of building, typical of mountainous regions where the steep roof and thick straw thatch protect against heavy snowfalls. The structural joints are all tied together and nails are only used to fix the floorboards. A complete village of such buildings can be found in Shirakawa, although even there, the buildings have been brought together from several original locations.