The 'gassho-zukuri' style roofs are designed to resemble hands pressed together in prayer to support the weight of heavy winter snow.
Many of the farmhouses were saved from demolition and relocated to this site from submerged areas caused by the construction of the Mihoro Dam.
The irori (sunken hearths) inside the houses were traditionally used for cooking, heating, and keeping the structural timber dry to prevent rot.
The museum grounds are meticulously landscaped to reflect the changing seasons, including cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant maples in autumn.
Some roofs feature a 'koya' or attic space once used for sericulture, specifically the raising of silkworms.
The central pond was constructed to provide a reflective foreground for the traditional architecture and to maintain local irrigation aesthetics.
The buildings are maintained using traditional methods, including periodic re-thatching of the thick miscanthus grass roofs.
Hida no Sato exhibits a rare 'kura' (storehouse) that has been preserved in its original structural form for over two centuries.
Hida no Sato is an open-air museum featuring over 30 traditional structures, including thatched-roof gassho-zukuri farmhouses relocated from the surrounding Hida region. Many buildings are registered as Important Cultural Properties and date back to the Edo period. The site is arranged around the central Gokuraku Pond, replicating the layout of a traditional mountain village. Visitors can enter several of the houses to observe historic agricultural tools, weaving looms, and hearths known as irori. The museum demonstrates the architectural ingenuity required to withstand the heavy snowfall typical of Gifu Prefecture. Artisans often conduct live demonstrations of traditional Hida crafts such as wood carving and textile weaving within the buildings. The grounds include pathways through terraced rice paddies and surrounding forests. The site serves as a preserved repository for the lifestyle and folk culture of the Hida mountain communities.
The path overlooking the Gokuraku Pond, which provides a symmetrical reflection of the main thatched-roof farmhouse.
Visit the interior of the houses to see the soot-stained rafters, which are black from years of hearth smoke.
Follow the designated walking trail to ensure you see the full range of farmhouses, as some are hidden behind tree lines.
Check the visitor center for schedules of craft demonstrations if you are interested in seeing traditional artisans at work.
Do not attempt to touch the exhibits or the soot-blackened walls inside the houses, as they are fragile and culturally significant.
Remove shoes before entering the farmhouse interiors; follow paths to protect the historic structures.
