The house features a hearth (irori) on the ground floor that burns continuously to smoke-cure the timber, preventing rot and pest infestation.
The name Kanda relates to the family's original profession in the paper manufacturing industry.
It is one of the few houses in the region that allows visitors to ascend to the attic levels to inspect the internal roof architecture closely.
The steep pitch of the roof is specifically designed to handle the heavy, wet snowfall common in the Gifu mountains.
The building was constructed using traditional carpentry techniques that require no metal fasteners.
The attic space was historically heated by the rising smoke from the first-floor hearth to maintain optimal temperatures for silkworms.
Kanda House is a four-story gassho-zukuri farmhouse located in the Ogimachi village of Shirakawa-go, built in the mid-19th century. The residence was constructed by a wealthy merchant family originally from the Toyama area. It is uniquely distinguished by its multi-level interior, which was historically used for silkworm cultivation under the steeply pitched thatched roof. The structure uses an intricate interlocking timber frame secured with straw ropes rather than metal nails. Visitors can access the upper floors to view the massive roof beams and examine original agricultural tools. The home remains a private residence while functioning as an open-access cultural property. It showcases the functional integration of living quarters and commercial sericulture space typical of UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites in the region.
The second-floor windows offer an elevated view over the surrounding village and nearby paddy fields.
Remove your shoes before entering as you will be walking on traditional tatami mats and aged wood floors.
Use the provided wooden stairs carefully, as they are steep and have narrow treads consistent with historical architecture.
Visit during the shoulder season to avoid the highest density of tour groups.
Attempting to enter restricted private areas or touching the structural roof beams.
Generally closed on Wednesdays, though this may vary during peak tourist weeks.
Remove footwear at the entrance; maintain silence in the living quarters; do not touch the historic artifacts.
