Suganuma Village (菅沼集落) is one of the historic Gassho-style villages in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, known for their unique thatched-roof farmhouses designed to withstand heavy snowfall.
Suganuma is the smallest of the three major Gassho-style villages, making it a quieter and more intimate alternative to Shirakawa-go and Ainokura. It offers a well-preserved rural atmosphere, where visitors can admire traditional thatched-roof houses (Gassho-zukuri), some of which are over 300 years old.
At the Suganuma Village, visitors can find a small folklore museum. The museum displays traditional tools and household items used throughout this regions history. Additionally, visitors can find the Enshō no Yakata (塩硝の館), which is a small another small museum displaying the process of making Saltpeter, an ingredient in gunpowder. Saltpeter was an important industry from the Gokayama region during the Edo Period (1603-1868).
Down the road, you can find the Gokayama Gassho no Sato, featuring another small collection of these traditional style buildings.
Hours and Admission (Folklore Museum & Enshō no Yakata Museum)
- Hours: 9:00am - 4:30pm (Until 4:00pm from December to March)
- Closed: 29 Dec - 3 Jan
- 300JPY (Admission fee covers both Museums)
- Average Time Spent: 30 Minutes
- Official Website
Accessing Suganuma Village
The Suganuma Village can be reached via bus. The village has a bus stop on the east side, along the main road.
The bus departs either Takaoka Station, or Johana Station, and makes it’s way to Ainokura Village, Suganuma Village, and then on to Shirakawa-go Village. Another bus line does the same, but in reverse – starting at Shirakawago and arrives at Takaoka. The bus is relatively infrequent, so be sure to check out the bus timetable.
The village can also easily be reached by car, only taking about 25 minutes from Shirakawa-g0, or about an hour from Kanazawa or Takaoka City. There is sufficient on-site parking in several locations for your convenience.
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