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Explore Traditional Life at Gokayama Folklore Museum

Discover Gokayama's heritage: Explore traditional homes, tools, and industries at the Gokayama Folklore Museum in Suganuma Village.

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The Gokayama Folklore Museum, nestled in the Suganuma gasshō-style village, offers a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the Gokayama region. Housed in a reconstructed gasshō-style house, the museum displays around 300 household items and folk custom documents, showcasing the tools, clothing, and traditions of the past.

A brief summary to Gokayama Folklore Museum

  • Monday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Friday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

  • Combine your visit with a trip to the adjacent Saltpeter Museum for a more complete understanding of Gokayama's history and culture.
  • Check the museum's opening hours, as it typically closes by 4:30 PM.
  • Consider visiting during local festivals for a more immersive experience of Gokayama's culture.
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Getting There

  • Bus

    From Shirakawa-go, take the World Heritage Bus towards Takaoka and disembark at the 'Gatsushonosato' bus stop. Transfer to a bus bound for Suganuma. The bus ride from Gatsushonosato to Suganuma takes approximately 1 minute and costs ¥150-¥210. Alternatively, from Shin-Takaoka Station, take the World Heritage Bus to Suganuma. The journey takes about 80 minutes and costs ¥1200.

  • Car

    From the Gokayama IC, the museum is approximately a 1-minute drive. Parking is available at Suganuma Village. From October 1, 2025, the parking fee for regular and compact vehicles will be ¥1,000. From Ogimachi, Suganuma can be reached in about 30 minutes along National Route 156.

  • Walking

    From the Suganuma bus stop, it is a short walk to the Gokayama Folklore Museum. Follow the signs towards the village. From the parking area, it is a 7-minute walk along Route 156, or a 5-minute walk with an elevator ride down to the village.

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Discover more about Gokayama Folklore Museum

Located in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Suganuma Village, the Gokayama Folklore Museum provides an immersive experience of life in this remote mountain community. The museum is set within a traditional Gassho-zukuri farmhouse, allowing visitors to explore the architecture and interior design unique to the region. The museum's exhibits showcase approximately 300 artifacts, including household items, tools, and clothing used in daily life. Visitors can learn about the region's key industries, such as gunpowder and sericulture, through displays of tools and equipment. The second floor reveals the intricate roof structure of the Gassho-zukuri house and displays silkworm raising tools. Adjacent to the Folklore Museum is the Saltpeter Museum (Enshō no Yakata), which details the history and production of saltpeter, a key ingredient in gunpowder, which was an important industry in Gokayama during the Edo Period. The museum uses dolls and shadow pictures to illustrate the gunpowder production processes.

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