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Copyright © 2004 Ian Orgias, All Rights Reserved
| Virtual Aichi
Surrounded by pine covered mountains, beside the picturesque Shokawa River, Shirakawa village has become known for its unique thatched roof farmhouses built in a style called Gassho-zukuri. This architectural style is characterized by its large, steeply-pitched thatched roof. The farmhouses were built over 100 years ago to suit the environment in Shirakawa. The steep angle of the roof prevents excessive build-up of snow in the winter, while the direction of the structures aid in keeping the rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The village, which was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1995, is still an active community and many of the farmhouses operates as "Minshiku" or inns accepting guests. Other World Heritage Sites in Japan: Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima
More panoramas of Shirakawa-go 
Shortcut to this page: http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/wwp_rss/go/n450
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